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
Sparks flew in all directions as Shiva's hands clashed against Thor's hammer. The legendary weapon of the Norse hero was incredible, but there was little chance of winning against the immortal legend that was Shiva.
"Are you done, boy?" Shiva asked as before he pushed Thor back with his raw power.
The Norse god gritted his teeth as he struggled to stand his ground. "No, I won't give up."
A clock went off before any of the two could make another move.
"And that's it for the two of you. Get out of the sparring arena." Ajuka said as he wrote certain things down in his notepad. "Thor, you have good movements and reflexes, but there's still space for improvement. I feel that concentrating your power on smaller attacks will prove helpful. Shiva, I feel you have a slight power disruption in your left arm. Try to go to the infirmary to get it checked out. You might need more rest."
"Alright, I'll go after this," Shiva said.
"Thanks for the suggestion, Ajuka," Thor says before he sighs. "It was an honor to spar with you, Shiva-sama."
Shiva waves his hand. "The pleasure was mine. It is suitable for me to keep sharpening my senses. If this helps us grow, I will spar with anyone."
The god was willing, but few had the guts to climb into the sparring arena with him.
The area in which they found themselves was an underground training area within Lilith. The participants of the rating games initially used it, but these days it has been remodeled and updated to allow the stronger members of the alliance to spar within an isolated place while being free to go all out.
Several people witnessing the sparring session couldn't help but feel inspired by the gods who gave it all to improve their already impressive strengths. The line for being the next ones to use the arena extended past the entrance into the area. Ajuka's presence as a supervisor might have also led to this, as his comments were helpful to any fighter looking to improve.
Both gods descended from the platform and started to make their way towards the exit.
Ajuka waved at them before he turned his attention toward the next sparring duo.
"Does he do this regularly?" Thor asks Shiva.
"Ajuka? Maybe twice a week. He does like to keep a record of how everyone is doing. He is a strategist at heart, and knowing where each alliance member stands allows him to strategize with everyone else more quickly. It also helps Raphael and the other strategist within the alliance, who lack the time to do such things." Shiva says.
"I see. The alliance's leaders seemed much more deeply involved with training troops."
"Is all due to the size of our forces. We lack millions of soldiers but make up for it in quality. We'll have the advantage if each of our agents can be compared to 1000 enemy soldiers or more in the future. There's no freedom to throw people to their deaths like in the previous war; we all survive together, or we'll die one by one. Each life counts." Shiva says.
"I get it, and that's why you're choosing him: the Welsh Dragon, the two-headed enforcer. How many coincidences need to happen for a dragon and a former human to share a body while also getting blessed by the infinity dragon and starting the path to becoming a Buddha? Did you plan for that?" Thor asked.
"Him becoming a Buddha? That is partially due to me but also due to himself. One can't force someone into the path. Those who become Buddhas need to let go of something precious and accept the task given to them by a god. Issei let go of his humanity, his memories, and his former self and accepted the task of becoming the one that would slay that beast. It is easy for people to claim that they will do something, but few can do what they propose to themselves. That boy, no, that man, accepted the tragedy that was his past, and when he needed to choose between getting the vengeance he originally wanted or his new life as the Welsh Dragon, as the Enforcer of the Alliance. He chose us, the present, the future, and not the past. It takes a lot for someone to do such a thing."
"... I know," Thor says. "Leaving Asgard, disobeying my father, leading my family into the unknown, I practically choose to leave everything I have ever known behind."
"At least you're not alone since your family trusted you and followed your lead. I thank you and your family for taking this step forward. We need all the help we can get. Time moves forward, and with each minute, each second, we get much closer to the day in which the beast returns."
"... Do you believe he has what it takes to face the beast? My father and Surtr are not even close to that thing. Can the Welsh Dragon be the one to face it and finally slay the beast?"
"He will, Thor. Each day that dragon grows stronger, and one day, the Welsh Dragon is bound to surpass Great Red. I know he will achieve it; there's no other alternative."
"Doesn't it scare you? The Welsh Dragon will even surpass you."
Shiva smiles. "Those are the fears of others but not mine. I'm prepared to hand my title as the strongest god to the new generation. You, Athena, even my own children, as long as you each know for what reasons you will wield such power- Pride or for the sake of those under you, past grudges or the brighter future, those that will inherit my title need to think about it. I want to retire with my wife, but I won't get that chance until I do what I must and until I know that the alliance will be in good hands. I don't fear the future; I hope to make it brighter."
Thor couldn't help but ponder about such a future. One day in which, he stands as one of the strongest gods, stronger than even his father in his prime. Such ideas were ridiculous, or at least used to be.
The Welsh Dragon had utterly defeated the great Odin, and he had abandoned Asgard alongside his family. Nothing was out of the realm of possibilities anymore.
"Keep your head up, Thor. You will continue to grow, and one day you'll likely surpass Odin, and later your sons and daughter will follow suit. All of you have the potential to do so." Shiva said as he continued forward.
Thor never expected someone like Shiva to claim such a thing, but here he was. The former Asgardian hero could only look up towards the underworld sky and hope to reach the expectations of the alliance, just like the famous enforcer.
Meanwhile, Ddraig's room. General POV.
After one of his most prolonged naps, the dragon began to open his eyes. His body felt heavier but no as tired as before. Two weeks of rest would renew the energy of anyone.
"Don't doubt and continue forward. I'll be doing the same. Take care of our family." The last words of Issei remained in his mind as an everlasting sign of his determination. They had exchanged memories, and what he saw across the many memories of Issei inside that infinite dream reaffirmed his conviction.
Issei was determined enough to go through millions of deaths for the sake of the future; he would ensure the success of the alliance's goals while he was asleep while also keeping their family safe. It was the least he could do for his partner.
"You finally open your eyes, Welsh Dragon." A voice called out to him.
As Ddraig turned to the left, his eyes met those of Ereshkigal; like before, she sat beside his bed while she knit baby clothes.
"Took you long enough. It has been two weeks since everyone returned from Asgard."
"Two weeks?"
The goddess's hand reached out to touch his chest. The souls that dwell inside of him reacted to her power. "Yes, two weeks. I told you using infinity was going to have consequences. The damage your souls received was small, but it will be much more severe next time. Don't use it unless you're ready to face the consequences."
Ddraig couldn't help but remain silent as he reflected on this situation. If he pushed his luck, both would cease to exist, yet the words of Issei kept him away from choosing a path that would likely keep them both safe.
"I… I'll keep fighting. Fighting is one of the things I know, and using these hands to fight for the alliance is one of the ways I can make amends for my past mistakes. Issei asked me never to doubt and choosing not to fight for the alliance would go against his wishes. He is fighting as we speak, fighting that damn beast alone, sharpening his skills, becoming a Buddha destined to slay Trihexa. I must match his determination."
Ereshkigal moves her hand away from his chest and towards his cheek while keeping her sharp glare focused on him. Ddraig's cheek felt the cold touch of the queen of the dead. "You, both of you, are fools. Yet I won't force you to obey but know this you won't get to die until I tell you to. Don't you dare give up and die on me; I won't allow you to run away from your responsibility to me. You will raise a child with me and protect us from danger until your last breath. That is your way of atoning for your sin. Don't die on me, Welsh Dragon, for our future child's sake."
Ddraig felt the insane determination of her desire—a child for another child. He thanked her for not choosing to hurt Tosca to hurt him, but this was pure insanity. Maybe it was the loneliness that had surrounded her for centuries after the death of her pantheon but wanting a child with the person that killed her firstborn was a new level of insanity.
"Eresh-"
"Don't make excuses. I don't have to love you, and you don't have to have feelings for me. I want a child to love again, but I fear losing it. I need you to be there and always protect it. Raise a child with me and be by our side; I won't ask for anything else. I won't interfere with your other brides or children, but I won't accept anything else but your collaboration."
Silence engulfed the room as the eyes of both focused on each other. The dragon's breathing came to a halt as he felt the growing desire of the goddess. It was pure insanity, and he knew that accepting would mean chaining himself to Ereshkigal. His mind ran through many possibilities until he realized the chains were already placed on his neck.
The moment he devoured Ninazu and consumed his soul, leaving nothing behind, he had sealed his fate. Ereshkigal was bound to come after him, but instead of choosing vengeance, she wanted a child to fill the void he had created.
He had been the cause of all of this and many other tragic events.
"Is this the only way you see to start healing? Can you actually raise a child with the sinner you hate? Can you go through this?"
"I can, but I need your collaboration."
"I'll do my best, but I might never learn to love you."
"I know I will never have feelings for you."
"Can a child grow within a family like that? Can they grow to know love when their parents don't share any feelings for each other?"
"We'll make it work. You are already used to the unusual; from what I have seen, you can be a good father."
"This is pure insanity... But I see no other way out. My death won't fill the void. The alliance needs you; I see no other goddess to fill your position. If this is your desire, I will go along with it. I'll give you a child and help you raise it. I shall play the paper of the father that you want me to play to the best of my ability. I will love that child and cherish you for its sake." Ddraig grabs her hand with all the care in the world. "Wait patiently until the day I can seal the deal."
A cold smile takes over the face of the goddess. "Patience is one of my virtues, Ddraig. I'll wait for that night."
Their faces were too close for comfort, yet none backed away. Each was testing the determination of the other. They would have a child and do their best to raise them with love, although no such feelings existed between them. The need to be at ease while in closeness with each other would be necessary
Then, the door suddenly opened.
Two pairs of eyes looked inside, shocked by the sight before them.
"Ddraig? What are you doing with Lady Ereshkigal?" Gabriel asked with a blushing face.
"Honey, what are you doing right after you wake up?" Serafall asked as she walked inside. Her eyes were flaming with jealousy.
"Is not what you think, Serafall!" Ddraig screamed as his third bride jumped toward him.
A few minutes afterward.
Ddraig sat on the bed alongside Serafall, resting her head on his shoulder. The dragon's face was filled with lipstick after Serafall went to town on him, but his neck was a whole different affair as choking marks covered it.
"I wanted to be the one you saw first when you woke up. We were all very concerned about your souls." Serafall said.
"You were stable, but we didn't know if you'll regain consciousness soon." Gabriel followed suit as she cooled her head. "Just what were you doing with Lady Ereshkigal? Was there a need for the two of you to be so close?"
"Don't ask too many questions about it. We'll explain it when the time comes." Ereshkigal said as she tried to divert attention from her deal with Ddraig.
Serafall threw daggers at her with her eyes. "He's mine. I will have his children before you."
Ereshkigal replied with a similar aura. "None shall interfere with the birth of my second child."
Gabriel felt the clashing auras of both females as they fought over the same male. The seraph felt unwanted in such an environment.
"Gabriel, don't worry about it. Why don't you tell me what happened while I was asleep?" Ddraig asks.
Gabriel quickly recomposes herself. "After the mission, we returned to the Underworld and moved everyone to Grigory. Thor and his allies got treated for their injuries alongside everyone else. Thor and everyone else have fully recovered. Gasper went unconscious for two days as he suffered the after-effects of using his sacred gear so much. He's fine now, but we advise him to limit the use of his sacred gear to just twice until he increases his endurance. Secundus departed for his homeland alongside some troops. Muspelheim has been sealed since then, although we can still communicate with them. We'll wait until he fuses with Surtr and create a complete primordial. It might take years."
"Anything else? Yukime?" Ddraig asks.
"Fenrir and Ymir are under extreme treatment as we speak. Ymir is under Gaia's direct care, while Fenrir is within Grigory. The wolf is being kept under heavy sedatives, and we're doing everything to help heal the damage his body has received. We have high expectations for his recovery, but Midg has asked us to take time. He believes it might take years for his mind to recover. Midg departed with a small group to Alfheim; he claimed he could make the elves join the alliance. His family's location is within their first home in Bermuda's Triangle. Besides that, we only have plans for a trip to Ra's realm. The team hasn't been decided. Yukime is on a personal mission; I can't say anything else." Gabriel continued.
"Personal mission? It must be important. What about Tiamat?" Ddraig asked.
"She's busy with her territory. She has visited you regularly alongside the kids, but they are all busy. Tiamat left Rayanare and Elaine in charge of the kids and that new maid of yours (Aurora). Roygun is also with them as we speak. They are fine." Serafall said.
"That's good to hear." The dragon said as he took all the information in. "I shall see them, but my next mission might be going to Ra's realm. What do we know about Ra?"
"Our messenger is still trying to convince him, but he asked for the prominent representatives to talk to him in person. He's open to dialogue and offers a safe passage to his realm, but the trip will likely take at least two months. One month to go and one month to come back. His realm is difficult to traverse as the realm's main entrance is far from its residence. It will be a trip across the largest desert in all the realms. Lack of water will likely affect those not used to it." Gabriel says.
"Two months. Either Shiva or I need to stay behind. Although I want to trust Ra, that doesn't mean his fellow gods will play along. One of us shall always go on these travels, especially if they take this long." Ddraig says.
"If you're going, I'll go as well. I can help if Osiris and Anubis try to interfere with the treaty." Ereshkigal said.
"I'll go as well. Two months together will do us good, and I'd like to see the realm." Serafall said as she smiled at Ddraig.
"... I, too, will go," Gabriel said. "Someone needs to keep an eye on you, Ddraig. You should be more careful about fighting from now on."
Serafall sees the expression on Gabriel's face. "What are my eyes seeing? Are you falling for him? That expression, you started to see his charm didn't you."
Ddraig smiles. "We'll see what the others say; we should get out of here for now. I'm feeling hungry."
The group starts to make their way out. Ddraig and Ereshkigal went out first, and as the last two exited the room, Serafall patted the back of Gabriel before she told her something that should have reached only her ears.
"Follow your heart and let go of your restraints."
Gabriel blushed as Serafall walked past her and followed after Ddraig and Ereshkigal.
Unknown to her, Ddraig had heard everything but decided not to say anything. The least he knew, the better it was for him.
Two hours later, Tiamat's POV.
The true dragon king observed the land gifted to her from an old tower that used to be a security post for devils.
The old capital was in shambles as most of the old buildings had been demolished by the war.
The cleaning crew transported the carcasses of demonic beasts as her forces made their way deeper into the old capital. Each would sell for a good amount, and the money would be distributed equally amongst all parties, including Tannin's children, the cleaning crew, and those involved in the excursion into this forgotten land.
As she admired the ruins, her head was filled with plans for how Shangri-La would look. She had plans for how to run the city and how each corner of its infrastructure would turn out.
Like a painter planning their masterpiece, Tiamat did the same with her future home.
Her mind imagined Tosca and her future children running through the peaceful streets of this new faction. Free to keep the form they felt most used to. Free to grow safe and healthy.
She couldn't help but smile at the future. Her mind and senses were so distracted that she didn't feel the presence of a particular dragon coming closer to her position.
"I have returned, your majesty." A voice called out as a pair of arms rested around her waist.
Her body melted into his embrace as she took in his scent.
"You idiot. It took you long enough to wake up. Who sleeps for two weeks?" Tiamat said as she turned around to face him. Her hands held his face with care. "You made us all worry. Right after you pierced your chest with Ouros, you felt unconscious."
"I'm sorry. Issei and I knew that it was time to power down. He wanted to say his goodbyes, but we felt too tired to stay conscious."
"I forgive you two. Who else can claim they cut a whole primordial in half with a single attack before going to town against an army of fire giants? We pushed both of you too much. Odin, Surtr, it was too much for one dragon to care of, but you never objected. Always putting yourself at risk, I might need to chain you to a bed for a year to ensure you're safe."
Ddraig kisses her lips. "You know I can't do that. I have to do my best for the sake of all of this."
Tiamat smiles bitterly. "I know, you damn fool. How is Issei? Is he alright inside that dream?"
"He… is going far. Farther than any other previous host ever did. He's determined, so I have to do the same."
Tiamat shakes her head. "You two might have been destined for this path. Even if the circumstances weren't the best, you two continue forward regardless of the past. It is hard not to love the foolishness of such a duo."
"That's why we are-"
Inside the endless dream of Gautama.
"The Welsh Dragon," Issei said as he stood up. A smile forms on his face as his chest feels a burning sensation. The Buddha apprentice pointed his blade and spear at his prey.
Flaming copies of himself surrounded the fake beast. The fake Trihexa was filled with cuts, missing at least three of its seven heads, yet it still fought back. It fought back with the same brutality that its real counterpart would.
Issei was just as injured, yet he stood up repeatedly with the same goal in mind.
"Go, partner. I shall continue forward for the sake of the future."
Gautama watched with excitement as the young Buddha fought back against the beast, increasing his chances of winning each second. Maybe today was the day he finally won, but that didn't mean the training was over.
"No, Issei; until that halo fully materializes, you won't be ready. Fight until you're genuinely the Buddha destined to slay the beast. Burn brighter, destined child." Gautama said as he increased the difficulty of the training.
One day he will be ready, but until then, the fight continues.
Meanwhile, Yukime's POV. Location: Spain.
The youngest daughter of Tannin finished checking a terminal that rested on her wrist before she smirked at the new developments in the love life of the Welsh Dragon. "It was to be expected from each of them. Ereshkigal and possibly Gabriel, what an unexpected duo. It never ceases to amaze me." The hybrid then turns her attention to those sitting across from her.
"That's the information I can offer to you. Nothing more, nothing less. The Issei you knew likely won't come back." Yukime said as she offered a package to a certain girl. "You can give up now or attach yourself to a dream that won't come true due to the obvious world crisis. Or you can come to Kuoh and join me as an agent; I'm recruiting members for a team. I prefer training them while they are young; Molding an agent from a young age is easier than when they are older. The space is limited, and you might be one of them, so what do you say, Irina Shidou?"
The girl held the package in her hand in silence. All the information she hoped to know about Issei was inside the package, yet her hopes of meeting the Issei she remembered remained even after being told he wasn't the same.
Her mother was sitting beside her with a cup of tea while she listened to this whole affair. It was hard to stop her child when she was already deep in the training process with her father. Irina was practically a junior agent in terms of training, so there was little she could do to stop her, but even then, she wanted to have as much information as possible. Some semblance of safety was enough to put her mind at ease. "Can Irina decide this later? I prefer moving away from the United Human Front mess as soon as possible."
"Even if Irina doesn't accept, as long as you accept the terms of Gaia, you can be allowed to move to Japan. That is a given, and everyone should understand that. Regarding Irina's training, I need an answer as soon as possible. I have other candidates I need to reach, and I have limited spots. Irina is the youngest but is one with potential. Not every day can I say I saw a child involved with the Protestant Church's agents while on a mission. I can tell she has potential, and with the right guidance, I'll make her an agent of the alliance." Yukime admitted. "As an agent, you might get to meet him, and that's all the hope I can give you."
"Why are you going this far?" Irina asks.
"I told you I need recruits…. But I also want to cut any chance of a future tragedy. Obsessions can lead to people doing stupid things. I have an insane family to prove that obsession can be dangerous. If I don't act now, who says that you won't do something insane like joining one of our enemies and trying to reach him that way? You know he's alive, and you've been chasing leads all this time. I see it in your eyes; it is hard to let go. He meant something to you, he still does, and it has pushed you forward. While everyone believed him dead, you thought otherwise. You searched, trained alongside your father, and met what he became. Now you'll continue to chase after him; I know it because I'm similar. Once you meet that special person, it drives you and pushes you to do the impossible." Yukime says as she taps the table. "Tell me, how many times have you dreamed about meeting him? How many drawings have you made thinking about how he looks? Have you celebrated his birthday while he wasn't present?"
Irina is shocked by the comment. It was as if she had been investigating her every move.
"We're similar. Some might call us obsessive, but it all comes down to how you manage it. Join me, and I'll help you. I won't allow anything to affect the Welsh Dragon. He's too important to everyone in the alliance. Especially to me." The hybrid said as she offered her hand to Irina.
Like a master strategist, she was moving the pieces along the game, making sure no pieces interfered with the main stage, and now she was close to securing a piece that could likely end up as an obstacle if left alone.
Irina's mind thought about all of this. Her mother's expression told her she could not object to Yukime's comments. Yukime knew her too well, and she felt defenseless. Yet she felt that this was a chance she couldn't let go. "I accept your proposal."
Yukime smiled as she sealed the deal with Irina. "Not variables left alone. We'll be great allies, my dear Irina."
Author's notes:
We're back, and our next mini-arc will lead us to the Egyptian Pantheon. Expect sand, cold nights, giant snakes, scorpions, and more sand. The departure is in 6-7 chapters.