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
Ddraig and Gabriel sat beside each other in front of a holographic display showing a sizable floating continent comparable in size to Africa.
The dragon and seraph did their best to hide their emotions from each other as they focused their full attention on the hologram.
"Well, this is a recreation of the map Rossweisse brought with her. This flying continent is Asgard, and our mission is comparable to committing suicide. Based on what Rossweisse said, the continent's surface possesses villages strategically placed to harvest the land and protect the main capital in the northern part of the continent. The main gate to get entry into Asgard is at the south. Heimdall's main task is guarding this gate, so as soon as you pass the gate, you'll be facing him." Eury says as she marks the hologram's gate, capital, and other areas.
"I remember him. Keen hearing and impressive reflexes. Heimdall is not an adversary that will give up that easily. There's also that stupid horn of his; if one hears that horn's tune from a close distance, one is likely to end up unconscious or deaf." Ddraig says while he remembers escaping Asgard back in his youth with Heimdall chasing after him alongside his fellow compatriots.
"So what are we supposed to do to face him? We must leave the gate open for the third team to enter." Gabriel said.
"Oh, Heimdall is indeed fast and troublesome, but I can handle it. Once our team breaks through the gate, I'll drag Heimdall with us, and his teams are bound to follow after him. The gate will be clear for the train to come in with Shiva and the rest." Ddraig said.
"Right. Uncle, you and your team need to focus on drawing as much attention as possible and taking care of as many defensive measures as possible. We'll give you 10-15 minutes to take care of everything. You'll need to draw as much attention as possible, including Odin, and make an opening in the wall around the capital. The train will need a clear path to get in and out, as climbing the wall would put us at risk, based on what Rossweisse said. Just ensure Odin is not close to the capital by the time Team C is close to it." Eury said as she drew a path in the hologram. "I'll be driving the train, and my goal will be to drop the team inside the city while I continue to move around the capital until everyone is ready to leave. The train will be an easy target if I stop moving for long periods."
A second hologram appears as it shows the details of the train. It was a train that devils originally used to travel between the realms while bringing large amounts of resources. Eury had slowly transformed it into a beast of a machine in a matter of hours with speeds comparable to some of the faster beings in all of the realm.
"A flying train wasn't what I expected, but I can see its functionality. The train will be safe if Athena focuses on defense alongside Tosca and other defensive members while Artemis and Apollon work with others to shoot down any opposition. It will also help draw attention away from the mission's main target." Ddraig says as he checks the train.
"Tiamat and her group will have to invade the realm from the depths of the ocean found under the continent. The water's temperature will be below bearable, and beasts might be roaming around, ready to attack them once they invade the realm." Gabriel said.
"Tiamat and her crew will be fine. Tannin has also decided to join them; the beasts won't be a problem, nor will the temperatures. The suits they will get will protect and aid them in the mission. Once they invade the realm after I break through the gate, they must reach Midg's home. If Rossweisse is right, Midgarsormr, Fafnir, and Midg's family are sealed in there as we speak. After releasing them, Tiamat will likely order them to hide and wait while she moves on with the mission. Midg and Fafnir will listen to Tiamat, especially now she's the true dragon king. They won't fight her orders." Ddraig continues.
"Can we expect them to be sealed and not working with Odin?" Eury asks.
"Midg only moved to Asgard because Odin threatened him, and Fafnir likely stayed because he found women he liked. Their allegiance to Odin is brittle, and the fact that they showed up to protect Gaia proves their true allegiances. Neither will stay in Asgard after Tiamat recruits them." Ddraig assures the pair.
"Very well, dragons won't be a problem. What lies next for Tiamat will be making her way into the continent's surface and the mission's other targets. Ddraig, you said they'll need to use the mining tunnels under the capital; How possible is that?" Gabriel asks.
"It is doable. Dwarfs in Asgard mine the continent for resources all the time. They had made tunnels all around the continent's underground, and depending on what materials they currently needed, they would either seal or open those tunnels. Sealed tunnels allow the materials to respawn after some years, while open tunnels are mined almost daily for materials. Some tunnels remained sealed for centuries due to the rarity of the materials, so those are the tunnels Tiamat wants to use. Right now, Mythril is off-season, so the tunnel is currently sealed. We can thank Rossweisse for this information since it will help Tiamat to infiltrate the surface. The Mythril tunnels are next to the Orichalchum tunnels I used to infiltrate Asgard. The entrance of the tunnels is found just two minutes away from the center of the capital, where Odin's main residence lies. After they arrive, Team A has to infiltrate the residence and divide themselves into two. One part of the team will go to Odin's laboratory, and the other will rescue Thor and his crew from their jails. If everything goes according to plan, most of the strongest gods in Asgard will be away facing my team and me." Ddraig explains as he draws in the hologram.
"But that doesn't ensure that it will go according to plan. So Team A must be careful at all costs as they infiltrate the residence. Once they achieve their goals, they must leave the residence and meet Team C. The trackers should allow them to meet as soon as possible with each other, and from there, they'll need to group up and make their way out of the capital. I'll do my best to pick them up as soon as possible, but they must be careful about unexpected events. Once I have the two teams on the train, I will pick up Midg and the rest. Uncle, you and your team must go toward the gate again. We're not fighting a war, so there won't be reinforcements for you unless it is vital for your survival. So beat Odin and those engaged with you, and get out. I know that is a lot, but you need to do this for the sake of the mission. If everything goes wrong, you might need to push yourself farther than before, and we both know it would bring consequences." Eury said as she focused her eyes on him.
"I know what I must do. Issei won't forgive me if I let a tragedy happen while he's asleep." Ddraig's face shows concern yet determination as well. He knew it wouldn't be a walk through the park.
Gabriel puts her hand on top of his after seeing his expression. "We'll accomplish our mission no matter what. I'll do my best to support him and the rest. Our team will get out of Asgard in one piece; I'll ensure it."
"Gabriel.." Ddraig couldn't ignore her smile and cheerfulness. "Even in a situation like this, you keep a positive outlook."
"I trust you'll do everything to bring everyone back but remember not to put yourself in danger while trying to save others. I want no sacrifices in this mission, and I know that everyone else thinks the same. The train will be ready for departure in 26 hours. So let everyone know and make the final arrangements. The departure time will likely be at night, so tell others." Eury says.
Both seraph and dragon stand up as they pay their respects to Eury, and the goddess watches the pair departing with a smile.
"I'll be watching over your relationship…. Well, mostly over his relationships. Uncle will likely develop more relationships like any other male dragon his age. Gabriel, I hope for the best for you. Your brother took a step forward, and you might do the same in the future." Eury turns around and goes back to work.
A train needed to be completed, and she wouldn't accept any mistakes.
Gabriel POV.
As they took the elevator down towards the heart of the forge, neither said a word. As the seraph looked at Ddraig from the corner of her eye, she could see him thinking deeply about the mission, or that's what she believed.
"Ddraig?" Gabriel calls out to him.
"..." The dragon doesn't reply.
"Ddraig?" Gabriel reaches out and pinches one of his cheeks.
"Huh?" Ddraig reacts and quickly turns to her. "Why are you pinching my cheek?"
"You ignored my voice the first time."
"Did I?"
"Yes, you did. Are you worried about the mission? It is unusual for you to be so distracted."
Ddraig scratches his head. "I'm not worried about it. I know the mission is dangerous, but I'm not concerned about it. I trust that everyone will come out in one piece."
"Then why are you so distracted? I'm worried that it might affect you once we depart. Do you want to talk about it?" Gabriel asks with visible concern.
"..." The dragon looks at her for a moment before he shakes his head. "I can't discuss this with you, Gabriel. It is something you can't help me with."
"Huh? What could be so difficult that you can't talk to me about it?" The seraph seemed a bit angry.
"Matters of the heart, my friend. For once, I don't think you're the best choice to discuss the theme." Ddraig says as the door dragon walks out of the elevator but stops; realizing the seraph is not following, he turns around and finds Gabriel blushing. "Gabriel?" Ddraig questions the seraph.
"I…" The seraph is unable to speak.
Ddraig continues to smack herself internally after realizing that he has led to this. "Gabriel is alright. You don't need to push yourself. Come out; we have places to go before the day ends." As he stops speaking, he stretches his hand to her.
"But… your love problems?" Gabriel says.
"Ignore them. I'll be alright. Tia, Le Fay, Serafall, this is neither the first nor last rodeo. Be at ease; it won't interfere with the mission. So come on, and let's go, my friend." He smiles as stretches his hand to her.
Gabriel doubts for a moment, but in the end, she accepts.
Ddraig carefully pulls her to him."You don't need to be an expert in everything, Gabriel. I enjoyed the themes that we talked about besides my love life. Don't push yourself. I appreciate all the help you offer me, so don't feel less if I can't talk to you about everything. I enjoyed having you at my side." Ddraig says as he starts to walk with her. "Is best if I keep the status quo with her. I'm unsure about having those kinds of feelings for Gabriel. She's too innocent to talk about this. It is best to leave it alone." As they walk, Ddraig continues to look forward while Gabriel watches their hands.
"His hand is big and warm. No, they had always been warm and welcoming. In the form of a child or an adult, he continues to be the same. This is the dragon that he is now. He is strong and determined, yet he also has his faults. If he were to die tomorrow, would I be sad about losing an ally, or will I regret losing someone I hold dear? Do I care about you like any other ally, or do I feel like this because I'm falling for you? Are these feelings love or just simply caring for another's life? I need to reflect on this. Maybe I should talk to Michael about it. He might give me the insight I need." Gabriel stopped blushing as she didn't release his hand, nor did he as they approached the forge.
Instead, their hands remained connected until the time they departed, the Grayfia paid attention to this, and the devilish maid could only smile at the sight of the two of them grabbing each other's hands with no shame on their faces.
Grayfia POV. Location: Underground of the Gremory Residence.
The group arrived at the Gremory Residence, with Gabriel now joining them. The house's servants welcomed them like always and quickly tried to inform the rest of the habitants of the house, but Grayfia stopped them."Not today. Nor Rias nor the lords should know about their visit. I need Ddraig's full attention. So stay silent." Grayfia said as the remaining servants bowed their heads to her.
"As you order, head maid." The servants said.
"Why the need for secrecy?" Rossweisse asked.
"Rias will likely want his attention, and my parents-in-law will probably distract him. This is a situation in which I need his full attention." Grayfia said as she started to walk. "Ddraig already told you about the devils in his care."
"We talked about it. Are they here?" Rossweisse lowered her face as she connected the pieces of the puzzle.
"It is time. I feared this moment, but I can't run away." She quickly grabs Ddraig's hand as the shame of her lack of interference haunts her.
"Is alright, Gabriel. One can't change the past, but the present matters." Ddraig said as they continued forward.
Ophis continued to stay silent as she walked beside him. Ouros was resting around her neck after getting polished and sharpened by Hephaestus."She knew better than to interfere in something she had no interest in.
"Why the expressions? Am I missing something?" Rossweisse asks as she notices the atmosphere in the group.
"You know about the evil pieces. We told you about them, but there's a dark side to them. Before the alliance, before the Welsh Dragon appeared in Lilith with Tiamat, the evil pieces were involved in many tragedies. More specifically, those who gain their pieces due to the intervention of high-ranked devils. Evil pieces are far more strict now, and we have developed systems to keep track of each reincarnated devil, but back then, it was far darker." Grayfia says as they approach a door that leads the group descends with Grayfia in the lead.
"Some gained peerage members by convincing humans and supernatural beings by talking to them. Offering them a new life as devils to dying beings is common as each king fills its peerage with members they deem worthy. But some used malicious methods to course others into joining their peerages. Ajuka's cousin was one of them, and he used manipulation to course 16 maidens of the church to join him. He abused them and broke them until they became mere slaves that lived and died for him. Those maidens are now under my supervision as I try to aid them in recovering their former selves or what remains of them while also accepting that their captor is no longer." Grayfia said.
"Wait, nuns? Ajuka's cousin manipulated nuns? How did-" Rossweisse stopped as she saw the shame on Gabriel's face.
"We knew what was happening, we saw it happen, but we didn't act. We feared more conflict and wanted to evade the consequences. I'm deeply ashamed about not acting and trying to aid those nuns back then." Gabriel admits.
"It was our fault as well. We should have pushed back against the royalists and kept more control over who got the pieces. Stray devils and the tragic events surrounding them resulted from our actions." Grayfia said.
After hearing their reasons, the valkyrie stayed silent until they arrived in the basement; they found a circular chamber, which was white and lighted all around. The marble floor expressed that this was not any middle-of-the-road basement.
"Where are we?" Rossweisse asked as she looked around.
"My unofficial maid academy. I trained servants for most families within the underworld. I make sure they provide the best services to their masters while also making sure that they get the respect and conditions all servants deserve. None of my students has been abused or fired from their post as I trained to the best of my abilities." Grayfia approaches one of the doors before she opens it. "Pass this door is where I keep the 16 maidens. Please follow after me and please don't make loud sounds. Some of them are affected by such sounds."
The group nodded and followed her inside. They walked through a long hallway until they reached a typical area where people would usually chat, read, or relax with the many available table games. Yet, nobody was present except for a single maid."Clarice," Grayfia called out to her in a low tone.
"Head maid, have you come to check on them?" The maid asked as she approached the group.
"I came to show Aurora to Sir Welsh. I think she's ready to leave our care." Grayfia said as she kept a calm and hopeful expression.
"Aurora? She has been relatively calm for the past four months, although she was the most violent amongst them at the beginning. Allow me a moment to get her." Clarice says as she walks to one of the doors. Each one held the name of one of the maidens.
"It feels like some institution," Rossweisse continues to observe each detail of the area as if trying to keep track of everything around her.
"It is. Reincarnated devils are a blessing and a curse for us. Under the care of a king that provides for and respects them, they can be admirable members of our society, but under the supervision of kings that make them turn to rebellion, they turn into Stray devils. Stray devils often escape the underworld and run amok in the human world. They usually cause possessions, unresolved killings, and disasters without known explanations. Stray devils often turn animalistic and let their most basic desires run wild. Their appearances can even change to resemble devils that one would usually read about in the Lesser Key of Solomon." Grayfia explains to the group.
A few moments later, Clarice returns with a new figure in hand as they talk. This figure has the top of her face covered by an eyeless white mask, and her neck has a crimson collar with several symbols. Her attire is entirely white and resembles that of a battle maid outfit. Its beauty seemed to distract the eyes of those watching, yet one could also see that it tried to cover her scars. Her hands possess large nails, a small pair of curved white horns grew from the top of her hair, and a white spiked tail stretched out from her back. Her hair turned white as her original color had almost wholly disappeared.
"Here we are. Aurora, can you detect the scent of everyone present?" Clarice asked.
"I can. Thank you, Clarise-san. Ms. Grayfia, thank you for visiting me. I detect many scents, but there is a rather curious one. Is that you, my new master?" Aurora asked as she pointed her spike tail at Ddraig.
"Grayfia?" Rossweisse questions the maid. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"This is Aurora, the former queen of Diodora Astaroth. The first nun that he tainted. She's a stray devil we can't release back into the world without someone watching over her. As you can see by her appearance, she has begun to twist into a beast. This is the fate of most stray devils. After capturing a stray devil, we either execute them, keep them in jail for the rest of their lives, or find someone to control them. Ddraig is the one that will take over for the 16 maidens found here. Aurora is the most stable one of them at the moment. She has regained most of her former self, but the process also makes her go mad with anger and anguish. The memories drive her mad, and like the others, we had to create measures to prevent her from either killing herself or turning into a mindless monster. I have helped her to calm down, but I feel she will progress more if she's with the king that ended her life as a slave." Grayfia says.
"This is horrendous." Rossweisse looked utterly shocked by what was in front of her eyes.
"Rossweisse, I told you it wasn't going to be easy. Not everything is dandy and pure in our lives. There's bound to be some darkness." Ddraig said before he turned to Grayfia. "How stable is she?"
"She understands the situation and has come around to accept her fate. Yet, there are still some problems with her, but I think you can manage them. Can you approach her and touch her collar? You remember what I told you months ago?" Grayfia asks the dragon.
"I know," Ddraig replies as he approaches Aurora. Clarise steps to the side as he comes closer.
"My master. I have been dreaming about this. Please release me from my bounds." Aurora speaks with a glint of madness in her words. One could tell she wasn't fully controlling her darker instincts.
Ddraig pities her as he touches her collar. "... I'm sorry for the fate that has befallen you, but I'll try to provide you with a better life."
Sparks fly as his draconic power creates a connection, and a chain of pure draconic power attaches itself to the collar and coils around his right arm. Aurora growls in pain as the draconic power subdues her, the long sharp nails retract back, and her tail spikes decrease as she is forced to bend to the will of the dragon. The mask which covered her eyes fell to the floor only to show a scary sight to those present.
Three red eyes twitch erratically as the draconic power continues to subdue her. Ddraig notices scars around her eyes, and his heart aches as he sees the pain on her face. "She did this to herself? She tried to take them out?"
"She did. As soon as she realized Diadora was no longer, she tried to kill herself like the others. She tried the same thing six months ago, and it hasn't happened again, but the danger is still there. The collar is just one of many restrictions we placed on her, or we can risk her doing the unspeakable." Clarise explains.
Ddraig caresses her face. "I'm not the one that ended his life, but I'm the one that broke him. Diadora is no more, yet your scars remain. They will be there, and so will I. So close your eyes and accept me. I will be your master until you no longer need me."
Tears fall from Aurora's eyes as she grinds her teeth, yet she slowly calms down. Her third eye closes. "Put my mask on, master. I wish to no longer see for a while."
Ddraig raises the mask and puts it back in place. "Is this alright with you?"
"I wish to remain blind to most things; the darkness calms me. I let my eyes deceive me as a human, so I will let my ears and scent guide me from now on. I will accept you as my master but know this; I will try to take your life if you ever fail me. We shall die together if you ever fail me as a master." Aurora says.
"I'll accept those conditions. What do you seek from me as your master?"
"Keep me warm and make me feel that you'll always be there. Never let me feel unwanted, or I'll lash out. I want to think that you're the only heat source in the darkness. I gave my everything to a god that didn't save me when I needed it, so I want you to be the master that will listen to me while also taking charge. I'm your lamb to be used as you see fit. Be my judge and executor, but know this, never let go of the chain, or there will be consequences." Aurora's hands reach out and meet his. "Are you there, my master? Can you hear my voice? Is my prayer reaching you?"
Ddraig says nothing and increases the power that courses through the chain.
Aurora smiles. "That's it. Let me know you're there even without a sound." Her tail wiggles in joy as some tears escape her eyes. "Let me know that you'll always be there. My true god."
Gabriel holds her chest as she listens to Aurora. She felt the weight of allowing such a child to fall so deep. "Child, this is my fault."
"Is that the voice of a seraph I hear?" Aurora reacts to Gabriel's voice. "You finally came? I waited so long for you. I prayed and prayed, yet you never came. He twisted me and made me a broken doll for his use. So many nights and days of endless torture. I cried and cried until I could no longer cry."
"I'm sorry; I should have acted." Gabriel falls to the smacks her tail to the floor.
"Don't cry. Tears don't save anyone. You're here late, yet you're here. Nobody listened to my prayers back then, but Ms. Grayfia has been telling me all about what has been happening in the human world. I commend your actions for having the guts to act and rectify the mistakes from the past. Burning the Vatican to the ground made me joyous as for once you seraphs had acted. I learned that "God" is no longer, but you're here, so do what you must to protect those that still need guidance. Don't fail them, and don't fail yourself. I ask that you continue to move forward, no matter the price. I won't forgive you if you back down and turn your eyes away." The former nun says in a sharp tone.
Gabriel feels the pain in her chest increase after hearing those words of a former nun that she failed to save. "Is that your one wish? No vengeance? No absolution?"
"I'm no longer a white lamb that you can save. Even if my appearance says otherwise, my soul is no longer reachable. So much inside of me is twisted and horrendous. I've been tainted to no end, and I can barely remember my pure former self. I'm no longer the Aurora you knew. But maybe, alongside my master, I'll find a place to belong. Don't cry seraph; stand proud, for your path has just begun." Aurora says before she smiles at the seraph. Her eyes couldn't see, but her ears gave her all that she needed at the moment.
Gabriel cleans her tears and bows her head to the former nun. "I know. I can't go back to the past. Forward, always forward."
Rossweisse, who's watching all of this, remains silent as she tries to understand everything happening. "This is far from what I was expecting. Can he control her? She threatened to kill him, yet he accepted? There's a lot I have learned while being here, and I feel like I have only scratched the surface."
While everyone is focused on their own world, Ddraig turns to Grayfia."I get that I can take her out, but you brought me here for a reason. Grayfia, maybe you think she can join the mission in this state? What about the other?" The dragon says as he releases the hands of Aurora.
"If fighting is what you ask of me, I'm willing to go anywhere, my master," Aurora said excitedly. The glint of madness in her words was far from unnoticeable.
"I was thinking about it, but we both know that it might not be the best to let her go without some surveillance. That's why I hope you'll allow me to join your team. Stretching my arms and testing my powers will do me good. I'll also want to ensure that Aurora and Roygun have what it takes to follow orders." Grayfia replies with a calm expression.
"Roygun!?" Gabriel and Ddraig quickly react to the devil's name that had fallen from the glorious spot she once held.
"You're joking, right?" Ophis says as she turns her eyes toward Grayfia.
"Oh, you also have concerns about her, Ophis-sama?" Grayfia questions the dragon.
"Someone that tried to chew more than she could bite doesn't inspire trust in me. I hear all about that night and her. I can't understand why you would want someone like that to join the peerage of Rias in the future." Ophis says. "Or at least that's what I got from listening to my sword."
Grayfia smirks as she denies her words with her fingers. "Don't count your eggs until you see what Roygun has been doing since that night. Let's take a trip to the cells under Lilith."
"A trip? Can I come along, master?" Aurora asks Ddraig.
"You'll have to come either way." The dragon turns to Clarisse. "Ms. Clarisse, could you bring her personal items to my home in Kuoh? I'll call Raynare to let her know to prepare a room for her. Also, has Aurora gotten any maid training?"
"I'll be glad to deliver them as soon as possible. Regarding the maid training, only the necessary Sir Welsh. Raynare-san will have to continue to train her, or you can send her back to us for a while." Clarisse says.
"Aurora, will you be fine with Raynare teaching you, or do you prefer that Clarisse and Grayfia finish the training here?" Ddraig asks her.
The devil waves her tail in annoyance. "Don't ask me silly questions. Choose my path. If you want me to act as a maid, you'll choose how I train. Don't let go of the chain and take the reins, or I'll do what I please."
Ddraig sights as he understands how troublesome this might become; the dragon quickly grabs the chain and forces Aurora to the, and the rest watch in shock as he places a foot on her head. He puts some pressure to show that he's not playing around. "I'll kindly ask again. Which one do you prefer? Give an answer, and don't play with me. I'm known as the dragon of domination, and I won't accept your rebellious attitude. Go ahead, Aurora, answer now." Ddraig kept calm, yet the chain was visibly reacting to his powers.
Aurora smiles as she finds no sign of doubt in his words and actions."Good, my master. I'll accept the training from Raynare. Staying near you will be to my liking. I apologize for my rebellious attitude." She even licks her lips in enjoyment.
"Oh, no. She's a masochistic devil," Ddraig told himself as he heard her heart beating faster. Ddraig removes his foot and allows Aurora to stand up. "You're not going to be an easy task, aren't you?"
"Take the lead always, and everything will be fine, my master. I won't disobey as long as you hold your end of the deal." Aurora smiled before she turned around and looked at the other doors. "I'll be going now; I hope to see the rest of you soon. Don't give Ms. Clarisse too much work."Aurora's words had a reaction on the other 15 devils.
Ddraig and the others heard the animalistic sounds of the remaining devils for a few was a dangerous zoo, and the Welsh Dragon was its owner."Issei, what did we get ourselves into?" The dragon asked himself as he held the chain in his hand.
"Can we go, master?" Aurora asked she still smiled after being dominated by him.
10 minutes later. Ddraig POV.
The group found itself underground, but it was far from a nice basement under the Gremory residence this time. The scent of the place was as bad as Ddraig remembered, and he could see that nobody, even Grayfia, was having a good time.
"Welcome to the prison of Lilith. We have increased the number of prisoners thanks to the members of the royalists that we have captured since the end of the One Night War, although it didn't last too long." Grayfia said.
"Why is that?" Rossweisse asks as she covers her nose. "Do you have an epidemic killing the prisoners?"
Grayfia waves her hands. "Not really. People don't die here because of the conditions. They get meals, medicine, and even a shower once every two weeks, but not everyone here will stay alive for too long. We have harsh punishments for enemies of the state. We eliminated whole clans, and few got exonerated from being executed. Those who got the death penalty await their time here as their executor awaits their fated day." Grayfia said.
"Doesn't Falbium take care of most of the executions?" Ddraig questions the maid.
"Only the ones that get a quick one. The unlucky ones got sent to a certain part of this underground prison. Follow me." Grayfia guides the group deeper into the prison.
As they get farther away from the exit, the prisoners become more scarce until they finally reach their final destination. They stopped before a large gate that seemed close until Grayfia clapped her hands twice. As the gate opened, the group saw a large bloody arena before them. "Welcome to the Hopeless Arena, where the worst criminals of our faction get a hopeless death. Falbium gives many prisoners a swift death, but for a particular crew, this place is their worst fear. They will get placed inside this arena which prevents devils from using their powers before they are forced to fight through a gauntlet of 12 fights non-stop. Each battle is against a demonic beast, and the severity increases as the fights continue. If a prisoner can survive all the way to the 12th round, they face her." Grayfia pointed her finger toward a single figure standing in front of a mangled body; a single female with a stern look stood motionless.
She was wearing a tight black suit and no shoes. No weapons were visible in her hands.
"Roygun, you traitorous bitch. You were one of us." The mangled prisoner said.
"... I know, and I'm paying the price for my actions," Roygun says as she lifts the head of the prisoner.
Ddraig approached the metallic fence around the arena. "Roygun?" Ddraig calls out to the devil.
Roygun sees him, yet she doesn't show emotion nor react to his presence as if she doesn't recognize him. Instead, Roygun touches one of her horns, and this one stretches until it forms a blade. She snaps the horn after this with no reaction.
The crew watches as Roygun uses the blade to split the head of the prisoner in half. Blood splatters around, but the devil shows no reaction to being covered by it.
"The prisoner has been executed. Roygun, return to the gate. We have visitors." A voice is heard through the speakers in the arena.
The group watches as Roygun turns around and returns to the gate she came from. She turned once to look at Ddraig, but her eyes didn't seem to recognize him. Yet, the reality was much different; to her, he seemed like one of many illusions she had in this hopeless place.
"Is just my eyes playing tricks on me again? Nobody is coming for me. Nobody is getting me out. This is my personal hell for trying to take the easy way to the top. The world has forgotten me." The devil told herself as she exited the arena.
Ddraig turns to Grayfia. "That's her? How?"
"This happens when you are forced to fight for your life. It was decided to have Roygun help with the execution of her former allies. Initially, she was adamant about facing them, but once she saw and experienced how not a single soul would save her from them, she started to fight. Roygun began to take each fight seriously and even learned how to use her horns when she couldn't use her powers. She was a diamond in the rough, but nowadays, she's closer to becoming a perfect diamond. Would you like to meet her?" Grayfia asks the dragon.
Ddraig shakes his head. "No, let me spar with her. I need to test her because I can't believe this is really her."
"What?" Almost all the girls asked in unison.
"Roygun, at least the one I knew, took the easy way instead of improving by trial and error. I need to see if she has really changed. Let me spar with her. Ask the guards to tell her she might regain her freedom if she kills the next opponent." Ddraig said.
"Why would you go that far?" Gabriel asks Ddraig with a concerned look.
"I'm not letting her join the mission if she seeks a way to escape. I need someone who will fight and stay with the team no matter how dire the situation is. This fight will be her trial. I'll get her out if Roygun fights me with all she has. I need to see it with my own eyes." Ddraig says.
"And if she doesn't fight you?" Aurora asks him with visible interest. "What will you do with her?"
"She will stay here for another year or two. I won't accept it unless she has changed." Ddraig replies. "If she has what it takes, I'll take her under my wing, but I won't allow someone that can't stand up with her own feet to join Rias's peerage."
Grayfia smiles as she agrees with his reasons. "Give me a moment, and I'll have it ready."
Most of the group had mixed feelings about the whole affair. Ophis took this as a sign that he was trying to protect others from a possible traitor. Rossweisse seemed scared of how far was the Welsh Dragon willing to go. Gabriel hoped that Ddraig would show mercy to Roygun while also feeling conflicted about Ddraig's harshness. Aurora enjoyed the show as this would be the first time she'd see him fight.
*Notes of the author: One more until Asgard. Sorry for the mistakes from earlier. Mobile creates more mistakes.*