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
Our story continues with the Welsh Dragon saying goodbye to the Sitri clan. Lord Sitri and his wife looked happy to know that Serafall was in a relationship with him and the prospect of marriage was confirmed in the future. Tsubaki was smiling at the joy of her king, and Sona hugged him once more as she said goodbye to him.
"Please come to visit us again, Nii-sama," Sona said as she released him.
"I will. Continue to be a good girl." Ddraig said before someone punched his gut to push him away from its path.
"Don't forget about me, Sona. I enjoyed our playtime." Ophis said.
"I did as well. Come whenever you feel like Ophis-sama." Sona replied as she saw the dragon smiling.
Grayfia and Rossweisse were watching the whole exchange from the sidelines. The valkyrie needed clarification about why Ophis was here, of all places. The legendary dragon was a mystery to Asgard as they had no way of knowing where she was or what she was doing at all times.
"So, is Ophis your ally?" Rossweisse asked the maid in a low tone.
"It is a bit difficult to explain, but the summary is as follows. Ophis is the ally of the Welsh Dragon. She gave him powers, and he now acts as her so-called "Sword." The Welsh Dragon protects Ophis and provides for her. She's not part of the alliance officially, but she's related to us through Ddraig. We don't order her around, and she stays out of trouble, but there's more to it. So you must remember that whatever involves Ophis has to be decided by the Welsh Dragon, as no other has a say on what goes on with her." Grayfia said.
"He has that power? Only he can choose what goes on with her?" Rossweisse asks.
"He does since nobody else can influence her decisions. It would be best if you didn't forget who Ophis is; making her into someone's enemy is wrong. We prefer not having to deal with a massive dragon that can kill all of us if we become her enemies." Grayfia said as she focused her eyes on Ophis.
Rossweisse did the same as they watched the small girl who was wearing a purple hoodie, skirt, and sandals while laughing with Sona as if nothing was wrong with the world; they both felt a cold sensation running down their backs. Ophis left eye turned to them for just a second, and they thought they would get annihilated in seconds if they challenged her.
"I can see why; even the alliance has a rough time with certain elements. Do you believe Ophis will be a problem later on?" Rossweisse questions her with visible curiosity.
"No. As long as the Welsh Dragon is here to be her "sword," everything will be alright. We need to leave it to him." Grayfia's words were confident and lacked any signs of doubt.
None of them noticed that both dragons were listening to their whole conversation.
5 minutes later.
As the two sides finished their goodbyes, Ddraig's group departed again, yet he was carrying Ophis on his back this time. Then, as they flew through the underworld's sky, Ddraig took the chance to question Ophis.
"You seemed to be enjoying your friendship with Soma and Tsubaki. I never expected you to develop such a close friendship with them." Ddraig said.
"They are trustful and treat me with respect. Sona and Tsubaki know what I am, yet they act friendly with me without any secret intentions. They never asked for power or for me to join Sona's peerage. I feel welcome when I'm with them. I never expected it myself, but you're at fault for it. You were the one that presented us in the first place since you brought me along on your dates with Serafall. Congratulations on your new relationship; I was curious why it took so long for it to become formal." Ophis replies.
Ddraig smirks. "Thanks, but that's how some relationships are. Regarding my choice of bringing you along, I needed someone that would enjoy similar things to Sona and Tsubaki. You three are rabid gamers and have similar clothes tastes based on what Serafall tastes. So even if I'm not there, I want you to spread your wings and experience more things. I want you to have friends and to feel the joy of having connections."
Ophis fell silent for a few moments until she replied to his words. "I enjoy it, but this won't last forever, Ddraig. One day, I will return to the dimensional gap after you slay Great Red, and neither Sona nor Tsubaki will be able to meet me."
Ddraig felt a bit sad after hearing those words. "You are still not there yet; it will take more than this to make you realize the truth." The dragon sighs. "I know, but until that day comes, continue to form those connections. Make more friends, eat more food, find more things you want to try, and experience everything you can until that day comes. Have a life alongside us."
"A life?" Ophis went silent as she pondered about this so-called life. "I can try it if it gets better than this, but remember this; all of this won't last forever. I'll be watching Ddraig, and one day when I determine you're ready; I will take you to the battlefield of a lifetime."
"I know. I'm your sword; that won't change." Ddraig said as he continued to fly toward their next destination.
"Where are we going now?" Rossweisse asks.
"New Elysium. I left my sword and spear with him. Although strong, both weapons like the refinement that a blacksmith like Hephaestus can give them. Tosca is also getting a blade made by Eurydice, so I want to check how it is coming along. After that, we will follow Grayfia and check on the reincarnated devils I left in her care." Ddraig replies.
"Thank you for considering my words. I promise that the results will make you happy." The maid says in a calm tone that tries to hide her excitement.
"So there are still things to see. I would appreciate it if you allow me to continue to follow until the end." Rossweisse said.
"I have no problems with that. Just be mindful of what you might see later today. Not everything is going to be enjoyable." Ddraig's voice told Rossweisse that he was serious about it.
The valkyrie seemed confused by his words, yet she was curious, so she decided not to back down, although she might regret it later.
6-10 minutes after.
The group continued to fly and rise higher until they finally made visual contact with the Unicorn. The ship had been allowed to continue to roam through the skies of the underworld with barely any restrictions except for certain areas commonly used to transport resources.
"It still surprises me that the alliance allowed Athena to keep her mobile realm within the underworld so easily," Rossweisse said as they approached the airship.
"There's space, and as long as they don't obstruct the air travel within the underworld, we'll be alright. You should also consider that having another realm that offers unique resources will prove helpful for the alliance." Grayfia said.
"Right," Ddraig said as they arrived at one of the airship hangars.
"Sir Welsh, Lady Lucifuge, Ouroboros Ophis, and Valkyrie Rossweisse, was this the reason for your arrival?" One of the amazons present in the area said as she approached them.
"We're visiting Hephaestus at his temporal forge," Ddraig says.
"Business, alright, follow me." The amazon said as she guided them through the ship. Then, as they approached the door to enter the vessel, they were required to scan their faces in front of a small camera before a visitor pass was printed for them.
"Was this really necessary?" Ophis asked The Amazon.
"We're trying to keep a record of who comes in and out of New Elysium. We're still getting used to managing the systems of the Unicorn and preparing trading lines with the rest of the alliance. Not everyone needs the same resources, and we don't need all there is to offer on the outside." The Amazon said.
"Understandable. We won't argue about the security measures placed by Athena and the others. This place is your home, and you should be allowed to protect it however you see fit." Ddraig said as they continued to follow their guide.
"I appreciate your understanding. It seems that we won't have any problems with any visitors if they have an attitude similar to yours." The guide said,
"Oh, was there anybody else visiting today?" Grayfia seemed curious about whether anybody else came by.
"Four others. Lord Beelzebub and Lord Raphael came by really early today before they departed. Lord Michael came by shortly after and hasn't left since then, and Lady Gabriel came in two hours after him." The Amazon said.
"That's a surprising duo, and you said neither Michael nor Gabriel has left?" The Welsh Dragon asks with a curious expression.
"Neither of them. Would you like to know their reasons for visiting?" The amazon asks back.
Ddraig waves his hands. "Everyone should be allowed some form of privacy. If they come to visit, that's their business."
"But aren't you curious about Michael or Gabriel being here?" Grayfia questions her friend.
"That's their business. Knowing them might be related to work or the mission to Asgard. I doubt the seraphs will have something they'll want to keep hidden unless it is completely necessary." The dragon says.
"You're way too calm about it. Even angels can have secrets." The maid told herself as they continued to move forward.
After a bit of a walk, the group arrived at the gate that allowed entry into New Elysium.
"Enjoy your visit." The amazon said as she stood on the side of the gate.
The group nods as they cross the gate one by one.
New Elysium. Ddraig POV.
The dragon took a deep breath as he embraced the fresh breeze of the coast. "I won't ever get tired of that." Before he took one step forward, Ophis grabbed his hand as she pointed her finger at a small vendor.
The small dragon's mouth was watering at the side of the fresh oceanic delicacies the vendors were selling.
"Didn't you eat lunch not too long ago?" Ddraig said as he turned to the girl.
"The smell, Ddraig. It smells delicious." Ophis said with a hypnotized voice.
Ddraig sighs. "Alright, just one. I might like to try one myself. Grayfia, Rossweisse, do you want one as well? I'll pay for them."
The two girls looked at each other for a second before they nodded.
The group approached the vendor, and after Ddraig paid for the food, each one of them got a small creature similar to a reddish octopus which was screwed and covered in a spicy sauce after being cooked. The color of the sauce went from green to deep red, depending on its spice level.
Rossweisse got the green sauce, while Grayfia got an orange one. The two dragons happily ate their own with the hottest of sauces as if it were nothing.
The maid and the valkyrie took a few steps away from the pair as their noses inhaled the intense sauce.
"How can you two stop eating it so happily? That thing will kill even a Valkyrie!" Rossweisse said.
Ddraig and Ophis stopped. As they turned around, they held a bottle of the special sauce in their hands, which they use on their octopuses. Rossweisse watched in horror as they each took another bite of the spicy "octopus."
"You're weak." Their eyes told her as they continued to eat.
"Don't try to understand the appetite of dragons, Rossweisse. Spicy food, lava baths, hating cold temperatures, everything is what one should expect from any typical dragon." Grayfia took another bite as she patted the back of the valkyrie. "Enjoy the food and ignore the antics of the dragons."
Rossweisse sighs in defeat before she continues eating her food.
The group walked through the streets of New Elysium for a few minutes until they finally arrived at their destination. The sound of metal getting struck by hammers told them that they were at the correct location.
As they opened the front door, they were welcomed by a young-looking lady.
"Welcome to the New Elysium Blacksmith Guild. Do you have an appointment with one of our blacksmiths, or… wait, Sir Welsh?" The lady asks them.
"Yes, I'm Hephaestus's client. I came to see if my weapons were ready for pick up." Ddraig said.
"Oh, sorry for not noticing you before. Go down those stairs and open the first door on the right. Hephaestus-sama said to let you pass as soon as you got here." The lady said as she pointed her finger towards the stairs on the left.
The group did as told after thanking the lady.
"You seem relatively close to the god of the forge. I didn't expect the famous Welsh Dragon to have a close connection to an Olymous God." Rossweisse said as they continued to walk down the steps.
"Hephaestus has been a good friend to me, and I have done my best to reciprocate that friendship. The guy deserves appreciation, respect, and love. Life gave him many punches, yet he stood up after each one. I consider him one of my closest friends." Ddraig admits.
"... I see." Rossweisse noticed the proud tone he used to speak about the god.
After a few moments, the group arrived at the door; Ddraig grabbed it and tried to open it, yet instead got sucked inside by some power.
"What? What happened?" Rossweisse was taken by surprise by what just had happened.
"Stay calm. We all need to do the same to enter Hephaestus's forge." Ophis did the same as Ddraig and disappeared inside as well.
"Let's go, Ross." Grayfia drags her to the door, and both are sucked inside as well.
Inside the forge, General POV.
"Wow." Rossweisse's eyes grew wide at the sight of the forge. "Not even our dwarfs have such an amazing forge. Are those golems?"
"Come on, Rossweisse. Hephaestus must be waiting for us." Ddraig said before he approached a tiny humanoid golem. "Little one, can you please guide us to the location of Hephaestus?"
The tiny golem nods and starts to walk toward the closest elevator.
"Those are some smart golems," Grayfia said as the group followed the golem. "I don't see any other blacksmiths around. Does Hephaestus have no apprentices?"
"Currently? I don't think so. Hephaestus is rather picky about who he takes as an apprentice. Not everyone can forge under the conditions he forges." Ddraig said before he pointed his finger at one of the large crystal pipelines that extended all around the forge. "This forge uses a particular fire several times hotter than even a blue star. It was rather tricky, but he achieved the near impossible."
"Particular fire, you say… wait, did you let him use your crimson flames?" Ophis questions the dragon.
"I did. Hephaestus has been running his forge for a long time with my fire as its heat source. It took many tries, but he made it a reality." Ddraig says as he smirks about it.
"But how? Your flames devour anything they touch." Grayfia seemed interested in this complex situation as well.
"My flames can be slightly controlled by compressing them into small places alongside intangible forces. The pipelines control the flames' flow, allowing Hephaestus to use them; his powers are found throughout all the pipelines, and they compress or allow the flames to spread out as necessary. At no moment are the flames touching anything physical." Ddraig scratches his chin. "I think we burned the forge at least 12 times while trying to make it work."
"12 times? Why did you try so hard for something like that?" Rossweisse asks.
"Because we learn something about working with my flesh," Ddraig said.
Rossweisse and Grayfia stopped in their tracks after hearing his words.
"You can try all you want, but it is nearly impossible to use my flesh to create items unless you have specific special skills or a source of heat that is strong enough to allow the flesh to be changed into new shapes. The god of the bible had its own special skills, thus why the booster gear was created, but Hephaestus didn't have any of them, so we worked hard to make a forge that would allow him to make the item that I needed from him." Ddraig turns around and smiles at them. "Don't be too shocked; that item saved my daughter's life, so it was worth it in the end. Now come along; we shouldn't keep him waiting."
Neither of them could say anything after hearing the extent to which god and dragon went to create such an item.
A few minutes afterward.
The group arrives at the heart of the forge; the temperature is incredible and inhuman, which forces Rossweisse and Grayfia to stay as far as possible from the god.
The two girls saw Hephaestus in his prime as he hammered the sword on top of a giant anvil. The crimson flames surrounded him and his hammer as each strike continued to refine the blade.
The blade was silent, yet its teeth slowly moved as if ready to attack.
"Keep calm, child of flesh and blood; We are almost done with your treatment. Such a unique weapon blade as yourself requires the highest skill and patience. I'll refine you as often as needed until you can cut anything on your path." Hephaestus said as he continued to speak to Bloody Ascalon.
The blade continued to stay silent as it allowed itself to get refined by the god.
"Is that really necessary?" Rossweisse questions Grayfia.
"I'm not sure about it. That sword is still a mystery to me. I only know it comprises the Welsh Dragon flesh and remnants of the old Ascalon. Also, it seems to crave the blood of its user, which is rather macabre even by devils' standards. I don't remember any other weapon like it in our records." Grayfia admits.
As they both speak, they ignore the slithering shape of the spear that comes out of the heart of the flames behind Hephaestus. Once they see it, they can only gulp in fear at its sight. Its form turns like an endless spiral as its body emerges from the fire. It was at least 6 feet long, comparable to a python's. Its body was crimson red due to the high temperature.
"Done with the flame bath? Rest on the anvil for a moment. I will take care of you after I'm done with Ascalon." Hephaestus said without even looking at Ouros.
The spear does as told as it approaches the anvil and places itself next to Ascalon.
Rossweisse shrieks as her eyes meet those of Ouros. "That's not a spear."
"It is a spear, so be respectful to my creation," Ophis says as she feels offended by Rossweisse's words.
"Sorry." Rossweisse quickly apologizes.
"Ddraig, Ophis, come closer," Hephaestus says.
Both dragons do as told.
"These two are quite the weapons you have made; a blade that craves his user's blood and a spear that endlessly twists itself. Nobody else could hope to wield either except you, Ddraig." Hephaestus says while he continues with his job.
"I wasn't trying to make Ascalon into this, but its will was stronger than my desire to consume it," Ddraig admits.
"Some weapons are just that special. I heard stories about Ascalon before—a holy blade made to slay dragons. This blade was meant to be used by an angel and ended up at the hands of a human who slain a dragon. Now is yours, which is quite the ironic tale. You should never forget that its purpose will remain close to the same even if it changes shape. This blade will continue to slay dragons, and your blood will only satisfy its craving. I also advise you not to let your fellow dragons, devils, or angels near it while you're not around. I feel that there's more than just a dragon slayer in this blade." Hephaestus says in a severe tone.
"... I understand," Ddraig says.
"Regarding the spear, Ophis, what is Ddraig to you?" Hephaestus asks the girl.
"My sword? Why the question?" The dragon asks back.
"... I will ask that same question once more in the future. I hope to receive another answer by then. This spear you made is useless in any other user's hands. It rejects anyone that tries to hold it, and I didn't have the easiest of times holding it in my hands. The energy dwelling inside is a chaotic mess, but I see potential. I will do my best to refine it, so I ask that you be open to whatever I do." Hephaestus says as he finishes with the sword. "Go ahead; you did a good job."
Ascalon quickly changes forms and jumps into the arms of Ddraig as if it was a large dog.
"Good Ascalon. Now settle down." Ddraig said. Ascalon did as told, yet it tried to chew his right hand. Its eyes were consumed with hunger. "Hungry are we? Alright, go ahead."
The blade was quickly absorbed into his arm, which obviously got a reaction from the girls in the back.
"Creepy!" Rossweisse and Grayfia said at the sight of the blade getting absorbed.
Ddraig shakes his head as he checks his arm for any changes. The sensation of his blood getting drained was still there, but it was less invasive than before. "Thank you, brother."
"It was my pleasure. Now let's move on to this spear. You're hoping to face Odin with this one, right?" Hephaestus asks.
"That's my hope. I need something that can match the speed and precision of that spear. Maybe even surpass it. It will be troublesome if I get my chest pierced by Gungnir again as it has done before." Ddraig says.
"I see. I know what to do, so I'll need your help, Ophis. If Ddraig is to defeat Gungnir, it will require a spear that can surpass its speed and be immune to the spells that Odin might have placed in the spear." Hephaestus explained.
"Understandable. I'll help." Ophis says as she approaches the anvil and pours her power into the spear. "Go and start working on it. You can reshape all that power as you see fit with your skills."
Hephaestus is amazed at the immense power that is getting poured into the anvil. "I'll do my best." The god raises his hammer and starts to work once more.
As Hephaestus works on the spear, a thought crosses Ddraig's mind.
"Where's Eury?" The dragon asks.
"Oh, she must be with Gabriel. It seems she came to speak to her about the transport for the mission. You can ask that little guy to guide you to them if you feel like checking on them." Hephaestus said as he pointed his hammer at the same golem from before.
The tiny golem waves his hands happily, saying he is ready to go.
"... Grayfia, Rossweisse, you want to come along, or will you wait here for me?" Ddraig asks.
"No, you should leave Ms. Rossweisse in here, Ddraig. Ms. Rossweisse and I need to talk about the mission as well. Grayfia can go ahead if she pleases." Hephaestus says.
"Is this about Ymir?" Rossweisse asks.
"Yes. I need to explain a few things to you since you're the one that is going to be in charge of the Crystal Sarcophagus. You will be the one to bring Ymir out of Asgard and into the care of Gaia. There's no place for failure." Hephaestus said.
"Ddraig, go ahead. I'll stay with Ross." Grayfia seemed concerned about the valkyrie and her task.
Ddraig turns to Rossweisse. "I'll be back as fast as possible. Don't worry too much, and listen to Hephaestus."
Rossweisse nods.
With that, Ddraig departs to meet Gabriel and Eury.
After another elevator ride. Ddraig POV.
Ddraig exited the elevator and followed the tiny golem through a long hallway with glass walls. On the other side of each glass, he could see many robotics creations that were likely created over the years by Eury.
"She indeed has talent. Eury is far too impressive for such a young goddess. I can see why Hephaestus is so proud of her." Ddraig told himself as he continued to follow the golem.
Suddenly his ears detected a conversation that was taking place.
"I'm telling you, it is alright. I doubt any angels will fall from grace for falling in love with someone." Eury said in a confident voice.
"How can you be so sure of that? Do you even understand what would happen to us if Michael fell from grace?" Gabriel asks her in a concerned tone.
Ddraig stopped his advance and quickly captured the golem with his tail. "Don't move." He advised the golem as he took cover against a wall that hid his presence.
"Gabriel, I'm a goddess that can see the true feelings and emotions of others. What Michael and Athena have is a rather beautiful thing. They like each other with the purest intentions, yet they fear crossing the line because of their positions. She's one of the three pure goddesses, and he's one of the seraphs, yet both are attracted to each other. Is too cute for me to ignore it." Eury said happily.
"That's a dangerous attitude to have. Michael can't start a relationship with Athena…. Nobody will approve of it." Gabriel says.
"Nobody, you say? What about you?" Eury asks her. "Don't you want to see him happy? I think that a marriage between them would be an amazing thing."
"I… I…." Gabriel can't come up with any words.
"Heh, it seems you even have your personal thoughts about the theme. Maybe Gabriel is not the only one. Is there a chance that you have someone you like as well?" Eury questions the seraph as she feels that Gabriel is trying to hide something from her.
"I don't have anyone like that!" Gabriel screams.
"But you're blushing, and my powers tell me something is growing inside you; a mixture of emotions for someone. You respect that someone while also feeling happy about being around that special someone. So tell me, do you dream about that special person? Do you want to see that person smiling? Do you want to make sure they are safe? When they are hurt, does it make your chest ache with an unbearable feeling? Look into my eyes and tell me your real emotions. I'm here to support the real feelings of others. Not lust, not just a one-night stand but a real relationship. I want those that genuinely love each other to stand together. Those that are determined enough to put their lives on the line for their significant others. So my dear ally, tell me, do you feel those kinds of things for someone?" Eury asks.
"..." Gabriel grows quiet as she starts to think seriously about it. "I don't know. The way you explain it is so majestic that I can say my feelings go that far. I don't know if it is the love you talk about. He continues to walk forward and stand tall against every challenge on his path. He's a mess, someone with a rather difficult past, and I never saw him as anything more than a troublemaker with unknown intentions. Yet, after a few months, I started to see him in a different light. Maybe it is the fact that he has two brains that think better than only once. Perhaps it is that he's trying to be better than in the past, or maybe it is just that the small things he does make me appreciate being near him. Sometimes we sit down and drink coffee while waiting for others to wake up and having these small conversations between us. We talk about minor things, such as my job in heaven or maybe trying new plates for lunch or dinner. Other times we talk about missions we participate in, and when I feel down, he always makes me smile by supporting me. He cares for others and doesn't expect anyone to care for him. He's a fantastic parent and tutor for the kids at home; he always ensures they're fine."
"You seem to be watching over him rather religiously?"
"I am. My task was to ensure he didn't do anything malicious but hadn't shown any selfish desires. He was supposed to be sealed inside a sacred gear, yet now that he's free, he has proved to me that he's different from before. I didn't have any emotions regarding his past self, even when he killed many, yet his current self is someone that I want to continue to support. I want him to continue to smile. I want to be there beside him."
"Stand beside him as what, Gabriel? What do you want to be? That should be the question you should ask yourself. A friend? An ally? Or do you want to be something more? Some want to support someone and ignore their true feelings because they fear confronting reality or affecting others. Maybe that person is already in a relationship, so they give up. Love is a complex thing, not a battlefield but a crossroad in which you must decide where to go while considering many things. Do I give up and move on? Do I try to steal him? Do I find a way to stand beside him while ignoring my feelings? Or do I look for a way in which we are all happy? I have seen many stories over the years while traveling with dad. I have seen all those choices play out; some have made me sadder than others, but those that went well made me happy. My dear Gabriel, daughter of the bible god, if you do love this guy and he is the guy I think he is, you need to ask yourself if you're willing to bury those feelings deep down or if you're determined enough to take the step forward. I can't choose for you, but I can tell you this, if you love him from the deepest part of your soul, that halo floating on top of your head won't disappear. I'm sure that Michael and Athena did something back in the Golden Archipelago. Something that made their emotions race at millions of miles per hour, and to this day, the halo on top of Michael hasn't disappeared."
"How can you be sure about this?"
"Because I'm a goddess that can see what lies deep down. I told you, Michael and Athena are too cute together. One day they will cross the line. One day, the rest of heaven will have to acknowledge and accept it. You don't need to say anything to your siblings, for they themselves might have their own arcs in the future. Now that you walk a path as a faction without a father, you'll continue to grow and change. He gave you hearts and emotions for a reason; you must ensure those emotions don't turn dark and malevolent."
"Not going dark? What do you mean by that, Eurydice?"
"Don't confuse lust with true love. Lust will always be there near love, but many confuse it and make themselves believe that just wanting to have a night with that person is love. Aphrodite didn't understand that, and that's why she was blinding "in love" with so many. To Aphrodite, unruly lustful desires for others meant that she loved them. Do you want to know why I know that? That is because my father's curse didn't affect every man or woman she got involved with. Those that she really loved were affected by it. The pain she endured after the deaths of Ares, Hermes, and the other curse victims was genuine. She loved them but paid the price for her actions while married to my father. She bowed to be faithful to him but never respected that bow. For you, Gabriel, it won't be hard to know when lust is guiding you. Instead, reflect on my words and approach the theme as you see fit. Take as many steps as you need until you're ready to choose your path forward. If he also loves you, he'll wait until you're ready. He won't cross that line until you do."
"How do you know that he won't? How can I know that is not lust from him?"
"Are you really asking me that? You know him better than I do. You're watching over him. Do you really think that he will try to steal a kiss from you? Will he try to touch you in any indecent way? Will he ever try to seduce you? You know the answers to all of those questions, so don't ask me."
"You're not helping."
"Dumb angel. I told you already. You know him better than I do. If he feels the same way about you when you figure out what you feel for him, he will surely wait until you take the step forward. Your father placed a relatively strong enchantment around you, which is likely attracting any males that are weak enough not to fight back. It has likely been tempting him all this time, yet he hasn't made a move because he either loves you or doesn't feel the same. So you'll get your answer when you make your choice. So now, can we change the subject? I have a train to finish and a blade to complete."
"I understand. Sorry for holding you back." Gabriel's voice was apologetic.
Ddraig takes a deep breath after hearing all that and smacks himself a few times before continuing. "Play it off, Ddraig. You heard nothing. This stupid moment happened because Issei wasn't here to tell you to go back and ignore any curious intentions. Just play it off."
The dragon releases the golem and continues his path as if nothing happened. Once he arrives at the door, he knocks twice.
"Just play it off."
"Yes?" Eurydice asks from the other side of the door.
"Is me, the Welsh Dragon. Your father told me that you were here with Gabriel. I came to see how the train was coming along while also trying to ask about Tosca's blade." Ddraig said as he prepared a calm face.
"Oh, come right inside," Eury says.
The glass door opens up, and Ddraig is allowed in.
"Hi, Ddraig; we had the same concern about the train," Gabriel said calmly. "Yes, I did come because of the train, but I didn't expect to find out that my brother was secretly visiting Athena."
"Yes, time is moving forward, and we must depart as soon as possible. Thor and the others will have deeper problems if we wait too long." Ddraig said. "Keep calm, Ddraig. Erase anything regarding that conversation from your mind. Deep breaths, think what Issei would say in a moment like this."
The two of them did their best not to let it escape that they were in a thigh situation due to the previous conversation, but to the goddess in front of them, there were no secrets.
Eurydice smiled from ear to ear as she saw the truths they were hiding. "A seraph on edge about her feelings and a dragon unsure if he loves her or just sees her as a friend. Life keeps giving new stories to experience from the sidelines. Like with Athena and Michael, I'll watch your love story closely."
Several hours ago, Michael and Athena.
Eurydice was leaving Athena's home when she met Michael on her way out.
"Michael? What a curious visit!" Eurydice said as the seraph stopped in front of her. She couldn't believe the coincidences she was having that day. "Did you come to visit Athena?"
"I did. Is she available?" Michael asks as he does his best to stay calm. The kiss from before was still fresh on his mind, and he had been reflecting on it for days.
"She is taking care of Pandora as we speak, but she'll be happy to see you. Go in." Eurydice said as she went around him and began to push him inside.
"I don't think I need help," Michael claims.
"Maybe you do. Maybe you need a helping hand to push you in the right direction." Eurydice says.
The guards watched as Eurydice pushed the seraph into the inside of the home. The place was immense as it housed Athena, her closest female warriors, and the servants that would take care of most tasks within the home. No males lived in the home, yet a visitor such as a seraph, in this case, Michael, was welcome inside with primarily open arms, although they did find it curious that Eurydice was pushing him along.
"Alright, here we are. Follow that path of flowers, and you'll find a secret garden of purple flowers near a small pool. That's Athena's special place. You won't get lost, so follow the path." Eurydice said. "I'll let the servants know to give you some privacy."
"Privacy?" Michael seemed confused.
"Michael, what am I?"
"A goddess."
"A goddess of what?"
"A goddess of emotions."
"Such emotions include what?"
"... Love?"
"There you got your answer. Go along and have that one on one with Athena. If you're having difficulty with those feelings, she's having as much difficulty. I want you two to be able to talk and come to a mutual understanding. You're not children, nor are you two enemies. Your father is no longer here, and she's no longer a part of Olympus, so try to figure out where you go from here on." Eurydice said before she turned around. "Best of luck."
Michael watched as the goddess departed, and he was left alone. The home's servants and warriors didn't come around even after she left him alone. Instead, the seraph pondered the whole thing as his legs moved independently. While a part of his mind reflected on Eury's words, another one was already marching forward to face the challenge ahead.
"Michael?" Athena's voice brought him back to reality.
"Huh? When did I?" The seraph didn't realize how quickly he had arrived at the garden.
As he raises his head, Michael's eyes meet those of Athena.
The goddess was brushing her daughter's hair while sitting under a tree on the right side of the pool. As Eury said, the place was covered in flowers matching her beautiful hair.
Yet none of that mattered as Michael and Athena were frozen in place at the sight of the other.
"Mama?" Pandora called out to Athena.
"Sorry, honey. Our visitor, Michael, surprised Mommy; come sit with us, Michael." Athena said as she went back to finishing brushing Pandora's hair.
Michael did as told and slowly approached the duo. "Hello, sorry to interrupt you two; Eurydice guided me here." He sits just a few inches away from them.
"Cousin Eury did? She's funny." Pandora said before she giggled. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Michael."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Pandora." Michael smiled back.
"A visit from thee is quite unexpected, especially without any announcement or previous message. Is there something happening outside?" Athena asks as she finishes Pandora's twin tails.
"No…. I just needed to talk to you." Michael admits.
"Oh…" Athena blushes as she thinks about the kiss.
"Mama, you're red," Pandora says as she turns around.
"I'm sorry. I might be the reason why your Mama turned red." Michael says while also blushing.
"Why?" Pandora asks. Her eyes were filled with wonder and lacked any impurities.
"Because…. I did something shameful." Michael admits.
"Shameful?" Pandora continues to question him.
"Michael did something nobody had done before to me," Athena said. "A kiss. One single kiss between him and I."
Michael blushes even more.
"He kissed you?" Pandora continues.
"Yes, he did." Athena follows.
"But you kiss me before sleep," Pandora claims. "Right on the top of my head."
"Yes, but Mama has never been kissed by a male before. Michael took something precious from me." Athena says.
Michael lowers his head in shame.
"He did? Is he bad?" Pandora tries to put distance between her and Michael.
"No, he is not. Michael is a good guy. He's someone dear to Mama. I found the kiss unexpected yet pleasant." Athena says as she hugs Pandora. She's still blushing as she says this.
"You did?" Pandora questions her mother.
"Yes, because Michael is... someone I cherish in my heart. He's right next to thee, my sweet child." Athena says as she turns to Michael.
"Is he?" Pandora turns to Michael. "Mama says she cherishes you. She told me that it meant Mama loves someone like me. Do you love Mama?"
Michael feels his heart beating faster than before. His mouth grows dry as the words can't come out. He doesn't know what to say.
Athena notices this and decides to stop her daughter before Michael has a breakdown. "Pandora, thou shouldn't ask such a question to him. It is hard for Michael to answer that kind of question."
"Why?" Her daughter asks once more.
"Because it is hard to answer. It is like math; it is not easy to solve math for you, right?" Athena asks Pandora.
"Math is hard." Pandora turns to Michael. "Sorry."
"Is okay, Pandora. You asked something I wasn't ready for." Michael says. "Since I'm here, want to play a game?"
"Games? Yes!" Pandora says. "Mama, he wants to play with me."
"I heard so," Athena said as her eyes met Michael's.
The tension was still high, but they'll have time to discuss it after Pandora had her time.
At least 2 hours after.
Pandora was now resting in her mother's arms after getting her energy drained by all the games she had played with Michael and Athena.
"She doesn't have as much energy as I expected her to have," Michael says as he rests against the tree.
"Pandora has a somewhat frail body. Her energy doesn't match that of most gods. I hope to change that one day, but for now, I will enjoy this stage of her childhood." Athena admits as she caresses Pandora's hair.
"You're a good sister and mother to her. I have seen many stories in the human world, but I can say this is one I'm happy to witness in the flesh, not just from the sidelines." Michael says.
"Michael."
"Yes, Athena?"
"Is time. Thou came here because of the kiss, didn't thee?"
"... I did. I'm sorry that I did that. I didn't know how to stop you without hurting you. I didn't want to hurt you, so I did what I felt what's the right option."
"Kissing me?"
"Yes."
"Thou kiss me, a pure goddess."
"I know, Athena."
"Why did thou feel it was the right option then?"
"Because….. Only something meaningful was going to stop you from crossing the line. My voice wasn't enough to bring you back to your senses."
"..."
"I didn't want you to drag that title on your back. I know you, and you never wanted Zeus's crown or throne."
"..."
"I wanted you to be free of the prophecy."
"Why?"
"..."
"Michael, look at me," Athena asks him.
Michael raises his head.
"I need to hear it. Don't run away. If thou runs now, I shalt not forgive thee. So take a step forward. If there was a time for thee to take a step forward is now. I need to hear it from thy mouth, Michael. Not as the son of the bible god and not as one of the leaders from Paraiso but as the male that took my first kiss to stop me from killing my father. As the friend that I grew to cherish over our many meetings. Why going so far? Why did crossing the line?"
Michael feels the pressure. Deep in his chest, he feels the pain of standing over the edge. Between his emotions and his position in his faction. Between his allegiance to his siblings and his aching heart that wanted to take a step forward.
His beating heart continued to increase as he found himself at that crossroads.
One sentence would mean the end of his purity, the end of Michael the seraph, and likely the start of a dark time for Paraiso.
He closed his eyes as he slowly made a choice and expected the worst possible result.
"Because… I…"
Michael told himself that the halo would crack into a million pieces.
"I… l…"
He could feel his feathers turning black.
"I… l…"
He could see his siblings turning their backs on him…. Yet….
"I like you."
He said it.
"I like you as someone dear to my heart."
Tears fell from his eyes as he accepted the reality he had run away for so long. He resigned himself to being another fallen one. He had betrayed his father for the sake of his feelings. He lowered his head in shame as he accepted the path ahead.
"Michael?"
"..." He didn't reply.
"Look up," Athena said.
Michael looks up and finds his halo intact.
"Thou didn't fall from grace," Athena said. She stretches her hand and caresses his face. "Thou didn't break any rules. These feelings of yours are pure and are the truth you decided to accept deep in thy soul. Thou didn't lie to yourself."
Michael still looks confused. "But I-"
"Thou kiss me intending to bring me back to my senses. Thou declared your sincerest feelings to me because it is the truth deep inside you. Michael, thou didn't do all of this because of lust or because thou are trying to defy thy father's teachings. Thou still has control over thy emotions. I feel that lying about thy feelings would have had a dangerous effect on thee. Being true to thyself is the answer to this puzzle, Michael. So I'll do the same, so please listen to me. Michael, I want to be with you. I cherish thee, and I want to walk a path alongside thee, my beloved friend." She closes the distance and kisses him.
Michael is left wholly frozen.
When the kiss ends, his halo remains intact, and his wings remain the same. No changes were visible.
"This can't be real," Michael says.
"It is, my silly seraph, but I think this will be the limit of what we can do. We can't be like this in the open. Thy siblings won't accept it, and if we do anything else, thou are bound to fall from grace." She continues to caress his face. "A kiss, holding hands, a hug, all without any darker intentions, will be okay for us only if that's what thou wants. I'm willing to keep this hidden from the others, but only if thou wants the same."
"But-"
"Children, we're not, Michael. We both know that Paraiso needs thee. Please don't feel guilty about it. I'll gladly take this if this is what I can get from this relationship. Are thou willing to keep this secret with me?" Athena asks him.
Michael grows silent as he reflects on her words. She was willing to do this for his sake, and he couldn't feel more pitiful about it. Yet Athena's face told him she would stand beside him no matter what.
"A kiss, holding hands, a hug, are you willing to accept only that?" Michael questions her.
"Oh, a few dinners, maybe a few playdates with Pandora, we can have a few dates in secret as well will be great if we find the time, but even holding thy hand will be enough for me. Now tell me once more thy true feelings. Let me hear them once more so that I can be sure all of this is not a fantasy." Athena says.
The seraph continues to tear up as a smile forms on his face. "You are the only one that I cherish in this heart. You're precious to me. The one and only goddess that makes my heart ache this much. I cherish you, Athena, my imperfect goddess."
"And so do I, my stupid winged daddy's boy," Athena says as she tears up and kisses him again.
A kiss, holding hands, and a hug that's all they will get…. at least for now.
Omake: Salt and blood at Paraiso.
*Paraiso-Nano*
The Welsh Dragon and Athena found themselves at the gates of heaven, surrounded by salt guardians who blocked their passage.
An even larger guardian stood in front of the gates leading the armies of salt against them.
No angels were in sight as heaven had been affected by a mysterious force.
Both were injured, and some of their body parts had been turned to salt by the powers of their unknown adversary.
Yet they had a place to reach.
Those important to them were past the sacred gates, and neither was willing to turn back right now.
"Athena, get ready. We're getting past them, no matter what." The Welsh Dragon said in all his glory as he wielded his sword and spear in each hand.
"Stop talking, and let's finish this. Michael, Gabriel, all of them are past those gates." Athena says as she raises her spear once more.
The armies of salt regroup as they prepare their defense formations once more.
"Get out of our way!" Both screamed as they charged on to face the guardians once more.
*Notes of the author: Another chapter down. Two more before Asgard.*