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

Twelve days since the trip began.

Another day, another coin, some might say, but for Ddraig and the team, initially, it was just another day in the desert until they saw something that drew their attention.

"A merchant camp; must be a caravan. Is a blessing in disguise." Rogier said as he checked the group of sand surfers that had made camp in the distance. "Do you want to stop and meet them?"

Ddraig turns to the rest of the group. "Let's vote on that. Who's in favor?"

Everyone raises their hand.

"We have been doing good until now with few obstacles. Meeting this caravan might be a good way to escape our routine." Rossweisse said.

"Everyone wants something new besides sand and insane temperatures." The dragon smiles as he sees the excitement on some of their faces. "Very well, Rogier, let's approach them but remain alert. We can't be too careful."

"I heard you, Sir Welsh," Rogier said before he ordered his crew to change their course.

"So you're not against it?" Gabriel asks Ddraig.

"We have to make the best out of this trip. We might even find things to bring back as gifts. Taking a day off won't change anything, but we must be careful. Don't run off alone and remain with at least another team member." Ddraig told the team.

"Understood." The team said as they approached the caravan.

A few minutes later.

The team quickly went ahead to explore the caravan and the merchants, which offered a variety of items. Yasaka and Ereskigal went their own way, and so did the Asgardian cousins, and even Serafall left him behind as she followed Ingvild.

Baraqiel, Eury, and Rogier also left as a group, thus leaving the dragon alone with Gabriel. Not even the other crew members remained, as the pair was alone on the ship.

The Seraph blushed as she waited for him on the ship.

"You know there's no need for blush," Ddraig said as he saw Gabriel.

"But this is like a date. The first official date." Gabriel's hands began to sweat as she awaited his next action. Like a schoolgirl meeting her significant other for the first time, she imagined at least a million scenarios of what could happen next.

Ddraig shakes his head. "You can't help but be cute when I least expect it. Would you like to come along and see what the caravan offers, Ms. Gabriel of Paraiso?" Ddraig offers his hand to her.

The Seraph blushes even harder as she meets his eyes. "Yes." Her hand slowly reaches out to hold him.

Ddraig slowly brings her closer to him. "One day, you'll have to get used to this, but until then, I will continue to enjoy this phase of yours. Please, hide the halo before we go. Is best not to draw too much attention."

Gabriel nods as she changes many aspects of her appearance. Her alter ego as "Rael" was once more in function after just a few seconds. "I'm ready."

"Very well." Ddraig picks her up in his arms before he jumps off the ship.

The pair safely descends into the sand before they start making their way into the caravan's camp.

The ships of the merchants were tightly secured as they formed a semi-circle. Each one seemed to use the same creatures as Rogier's ship. The impressive beasts seemed to be resting after a long voyage as Ddraig and Rael saw them drinking water their caretakers provided.

The same caretakers waved their hands at them as they entered the camp.

"The locals have been friendly until now. Is it luck or just the way of the realm?" Rael asked the dragon as they approached the many tents enclosed by the ships.

"When you're a realm that exports and imports merchandise on such large levels, you're bound to develop a welcoming environment. Merchants who welcome clients positively will sell more than those who aren't as positive. You're selling your products, so you have to play the part."

"Was it like this during your trips to other realms as well? Can you tell me about some of the places you visited back then? I never went farther than the Underworld, Paraiso, or Earth."

"It will be my pleasure. The first realms I "visited" were a mixture of welcoming faces and those that threatened me with weapons on sight. "Loka" Shiva's home realm was one of the first ones I visited, and it was the friendliest among the first realms I visited. Its people didn't seem to have reservations regarding visitors as I learned about food and other things from them. Then there was the "Otherworld," where the Celtic gods reign supreme, and the people weren't that friendly. The beauty that one could see at first sight couldn't hide its inhabitants' cruel and violent nature against outsiders. Even the smallest creatures were trying to attack me when I explored the land. I don't know if it has changed since then, but I wouldn't recommend visiting it."

"Sounds like dangerous land, but you came back in one piece."

"It was hard for them to take me down, but even with all that happened, I enjoyed the experience. I even learned some of my initial runes from their books and scrolls. I remember taking weeks to understand how runes worked back then."

"The Welsh Dragon going to rune school. Did you wear a uniform?" Gabriel asked as she tried to tease him.

"If you consider an old black hood a uniform, then sure. I graduated first in my class."

"How many other students were there in the class?"

"Only me and my classes involved listening in to the conversation of others."

"Doesn't sound like a school to me."

"I wanted to learn those runes, so I did what I had to. Then I passed my knowledge to Tiamat and the others as I got the chance."

"Look at you sharing information with your kin. That's rather cute."

Ddraig shakes his head. "It was a give and take. I learned some things and exchanged them for others. Of all of us from the first generation, only Tannin, Yu Long, Vrita, and I were traveling then, and we shared many of the things we learned for other information. Tiamat, Crom Cruach, Albion, and Midg took longer to explore other realms. Some of us weren't attracted to the opportunities other realms offered; others feared leaving their territories due to the fear of their treasures getting stolen."

"Dragons and their treasures. A tale as old as time."

"Hey, it wasn't an easy job to accumulate treasure. It took many fights and years for any of us to accumulate our mounts of gold."

"I'm still trying to understand why all of you did that. Why save keeping a treasure?"

"It is part of our nature to like shiny things and also how we acknowledge our adversaries. They put everything on the line to slay us for glory and to prove their worth; we took their items as a way of respecting their efforts. Remember, each time an outsider came to hunt us down meant that one of us would die. It was the wild days of the past, and I imagine you witnessed at least one of those fights."

Gabriel nods as she remembers the old days. "They came in groups as soon as Gaia went to sleep. It was like a hunting season each time."

Ddraig closes his eyes, and the memories return for a moment. The blood, the carnage, and the constant groups that chase a stupid dream. He didn't challenge any of them, and yet they came for him time after time, seeking the glory of the title of dragonslayer. "It was, and I don't miss it at all. Let's look around; we should focus on the present and leave the past alone."

The Seraph could see that the period didn't bring him joy, so she decided not to push the theme any further.

The couple began to approach the merchants who happily displayed the finest of the merchandise to them.

From jewelry to the finest of exotic pieces they were able to gather.

Manuscripts from devious precedence.

A wide variety of old daggers and small blades, each holding its own story.

Amulets with mysterious properties.

And much more lay before their eyes, but their eyes were drawn to an old jackal hybrid lady and the merchandise she offered. The lady could barely see as her eyesight was almost gone, yet her face showed the decades of a fulfilling life as she held a welcoming smile.

Before her legs lay an array of her life's work; an extensive collection of colorful matching "friendship bracelets." None seemed old, yet a mysterious aura emanated from each.

"Does my work catch thy eyes, young couple?" The lady asked as she raised her face to them. Her voice matched her age as it was barely hearable.

Gabriel blushes while Ddraig remains calm.

"Maybe, could you tell us what you offer?" Ddraig asks as he kneels before the lady.

"My art is to create objects that symbolize the emotions and connections that link two people. These bracelets are from previous customers who have long passed away. Their feelings remain inside these." The lady explains. "After my customers move to the next life, my creations return to me and show the most precious of their memories. Is an art that my family developed over many ages."

"So you are a collector of memories. Such a mysterious work you possess." Gabriel says as she kneels with visible interest in the lady's job.

"That terminology does define my art. I have witnessed many wonderful stories thanks to these." The lady says as she reaches out and grabs a pair amongst the many bangs. "None of my customers have ever failed to provide me with wonderful memories to witness repeatedly."

Her appearance regressed by a few years as she held the bangs.

"That's a somewhat mysterious power you hold. How does it work?" Ddraig asks.

The lady shakes her head. "It is just momentary. An illusion; nobody can control the passage of time." As she placed the bangs back, her appearance returned to normal. "It doesn't extend my life; it just allows me to experience the joyful moments of those long gone. Are you two interested in becoming my next clients? Be it friends or lovers, my art will create a set that matches the emotions that link you two."

Ddraig and Gabriel look at each other for a moment as they try to decide what to do. It takes a moment before Gabriel seems to plead with him to do it.

The dragon accepts before he begins to ask a few questions.

"Can they resist the flames of a dragon or my transformations?"

"A dragon?; that's a first. My eyes confuse your horns for those of a minotaur descendant; I apologize for not realizing it before. Anyways, my work is created to survive the test of time. It can be destroyed only by severing the link connecting you two, for it is meant to record good memories, not bad ones."

"So it won't be affected by normal means." Ddraig turns to Gabriel. "Do you want to get a set with me? It might be a bit intrusive, but I doubt she'll get to witness such memories with our life expectancy."

"Even if I'm gone before your death, my descendants will wait for it, so don't count your coins yet, Mr. Dragon." The lady informs them.

Ddraig ignores the lady and remains focused on Gabriel.

"... Do you think we should do this? Won't it attract too much attention to us?" Gabriel asks.

"They look like your average friendship bracelets, but there is a slight chance that they attract the attention of others. I will only do it if you want," Ddraig says as he holds her hand.

Gabriel remains silent for a moment as she thinks about the consequences before she makes a decision. "Let's do it."

The old lady claps her hand with joyful excitement. "Another happy pair of customers has arrived at my shop." She claps her hands again, and the previous bracelets disappear as they are replaced by a piece of white silk on the sand, two rolls of white threat, two golden chalices filled with a mysterious crystalline liquid, and a flat golden plate. "A drop of blood in each chalice."

The lady says before unraveling the threat, cutting it into large pieces, and placing it on the plate.

Ddraig and Gabriel take a moment to look at each other before they bite their fingers and place a drop of blood as asked by the lady.

The lady begins to chant a spell as runes enclose each chalice. The liquid inside each goblet turns deep red before turning gold, then finally pure white. The lady grabs each chalice and pours the contents onto the plate.

The threat begins to absorb the liquid until none remains. Then as if alive, each piece arises from the plate and begins to float around the right wrist of the dragon and seraph.

"May the link that unites you two remains strong until the day of thy deaths." The lady says before she claps her hands.

The pieces of threat united until they formed two "friendship bracelets," which were purely white before several strands of red appeared, leaving a dual-colored design as its final appearance.

They looked like any other friendship bracelet, nothing spectacular or impressive.

"It is done. I thank you for becoming my clients. Before I forget, don't try to remove them. They are permanent." The lady says with a smile.

"It would have been good if you told us before you started." Ddraig turns to Gabriel. The dragon sees her eyes shining with joy as she checks the bracelet. "That's an expression; I never expected to see so much joy in you."

To the seraph, it was as if she was a child on Christmas morning. A gift she didn't ask for but one she couldn't help but love.

"How much do I owe you?" Ddraig asks the merchant.

"I'll accept what you offer to me. You put the price you see fit for my art." The old lady says.

Ddraig remains silent as he reaches out and grabs something from his personal treasure. "Here is your payment." He places a large golden shield filled with jewels before the merchant lady.

The lady is in shock as she touches it. "This is more than I expected. This is pure Olympian gold. I could buy so many things after selling it."

"Do as you please. Her reaction is something that has no price. I thank you for your job." Ddraig bows to the lady before he holds his hand to Gabriel. "Ready to go?"

Gabriel nods. "Thank you for the bracelets." She grabs Ddraig's hand before they get up and walk away.

The lady watches the couple with joy. "Nobody had paid so much for the bracelets in all my years. I have received a few coins and even a bag full of jewels, but this is far from what I expected. I hope you two have a long and wonderful life together, young dragon."

"Grandma, what happened?" A young male with eyes like a panther asked as he approached the old lady.

The lady smiles. "Just another happy pair of clients, grandson. Now, help me with this thing. I can't carry such a thing around with this old body of mine."

Another day, another well-deserved payment was received.

With their matching bracelets resting in their grasp, the pair continued as they visited other merchants to buy gifts for their allies and friends back home. After a few hours of searching around, the pair secured many gifts, but even a seraph like Gabriel couldn't endure the heat for so long without a well-deserved break.

After seeing the tired expression on his partner's face, Ddraig looked around for a place to rest until he spotted a series of smaller tents with a merchant with eyes resembling a cobra. The tents were isolated from the other merchants as their intended purpose differed from the rest. The merchant seemed to provide visitors a place to rest as he waved a stick and welcomed couples into the tents.

Ddraig held Gabriel's hand and guided her towards the smiling merchant. The seraph did not object to his action as the heat started getting the best of her.

"In need of some privacy? Maybe just a place to drink some cold drinks?" The merchant asked as the pair came closer.

"You seem to offer what we need, so I'll take your word for it, but if you try something funny, I will take your head. Here is the payment." Ddraig said as he brought a small bag with coins.

The merchant smiled as he held the bag in his hand. The weight told him exactly how much it had inside. "Come along. The tent will close once inside and won't open until you are ready to leave. You will find some cold drinks inside, and I assure you your privacy won't be at risk."

His stick opens the entrance to one of the tents. A mysterious blueish-cold fog seemed to welcome visitors inside the tent.

Ddraig turns to Gabriel. The seraph nods as she feels no threat from the tent.

The pair enters the tent while being guided inside by the embrace of the welcoming cold fog. Once the couple was within its grasp, the tent's magic activated as the entrance disappeared to ensure nobody got in until its current inhabitants were ready to leave.

Inside the tent. General POV.

The dragon and seraph couldn't see anything for a few seconds as the fog covered everything around them until it began to disappear. As it did, the couple was welcomed into the coziness of a much larger tent.

Fabrics of different colors and designs covered every inch from the floor to the ceiling. Several matching cushions were also found around, while a single silver tray rested in the middle of the tent.

Two silver jugs and a pair of glass cups rested on the tray alongside a few fruit and snacks.

"This is one of those places for couples, isn't it?" Gabriel asked with a blushing face.

"Likely, but it doesn't matter to us. Let's take our shoes off and lay down for a while." The dragon said as he kneeled down and began to take his shoes off.

Gabriel followed his lead, thus ending with neither wearing shoes nor socks.

"I could never get used to living in such a realm. Is too harsh for even a seraph like me." Gabriel admits as she enjoys the feeling of her bare feet against the colder temperature of the tent. "Would you move to such a place if given the chance?"

Ddraig shakes his head as he approaches the tray. "Not enough water or vegetation. The temperature might not affect me like you or the others, but I cannot enjoy such conditions for long. Sand becomes troublesome when it is the only thing you can see for miles to no end. I doubt Tosca or the others would enjoy it."

"Children not used to it will find it hard to adapt, but it is funny to hear that a fire-breathing flying lizard prefers a more forested and aquatic area than an arid desert."

"I won't deny it. I lived from fishing for quite a while, and forests offer a variety of food sources while also offering places to rest." The dragon sat down before pouring water into both glass cups and offering one to Gabriel. "Come and sit with me."

The seraph happily took it and sat beside him. The cold water was a welcoming release from the harsh heat of the desert. "It has been twelve days with enjoyable heights and a few lows."

*Release my soul- Hiroyuki Sawano ft Aimee Blackschleger.*

"Heights like your declaration of love to me." Ddraig jokes.

"Yes," Gabriel says as she tries to keep her feelings under control. "Were you going to confess to me if I hadn't started that conversation?"

"I'm not sure if I would have done it. Gabriel, you're too important to your siblings, and I'm far from your family's beliefs regarding adequate in terms of an in-law. Just the fact that I'm not the religious type is already a problem."

"But I don't see it that way. You aren't perfect, and that's alright with me. Perfection is a faulty concept, and we are not close to it. Nor you, I, nor any of my siblings are perfect. Michael is the closest to perfection, and yet even he has his imperfections."

"His relationship with Athena? Are you sure about it being a thing?"

"I'm almost completely sure about it. Michael visits New Elysium as much as he can without telling anyone. Most would see it as him taking care of political affairs between the two factions, but I'm sure that is to see Athena. The air around him feels different from the past. Now he feels more mature, and he exudes a similar aura to Baraqiel, Azazel, and Shemhazai; his relationship with Athena is likely as important as taking care of our faction."

Ddraig grows silent as he reflects on this. "... Everyone is changing in ways I never expected. If any of these two secret relationships were revealed, I can't imagine its repercussions on the alliance, but even then, I'm willing to face the consequences."

"So am I." Gabriel rests her head on his shoulder. "Now that I can explore these new emotions with you, I can see why Baraqiel cares so much for Shuri—the feeling of having someone to cherish so deeply within your soul, the fear of being unable to live on without them by your side. It is amazing how beautiful and scary it is. Tell me, is it similar to your case? Do you feel like this about every bride you have? How can you bear such emotions and remain calm in the face of danger?"

"... You make it hard for me to express my emotions with such devotion." The dragon closes his eyes as he touches his chest. "Each bride, for me as the Welsh Dragon, is another link that pushes me to stay alive; links that drive me to protect them and make them happy. A growing home to which I must return, no matter how many challenges I face. I might never know life without no fights, but as long as I know I have all of you, I can be at ease knowing that I can close my eyes and feel safe around each of you. Even if I never expressed my feelings to you, I was already happy knowing that you would be there each time to welcome me back."

"And that would have been enough for you? Not even sharing a kiss with me?"

"Do you think I'm driven by lust or physical affection? Even if we never shared one, I was still alright with it. Knowing that you were going to be there to support me was enough. Even now, knowing that we might never be able to consummate our affection in its entirety I'm alright with it." Ddraig slowly reaches out and grasps Gabriel's hand. His face turns to hers. "I will only move as much as you allow me to. I'll get as close as that halo on top of your head will enable me to. If a kiss is the limit, so be it."

Gabriel's heart rate shot up to new heights as she felt the closeness between them. "You're dangerous for my heart."

"My apologies, my sweet seraph." The dragon smirks as he awaits Gabriel's following action.

The seraph is left alone with the next move, and as she pleads to the heavens for forgiveness, she cuts the distance. Their lips met in a short but sweet demonstration of their affection.

The halo appears and shows no signs of breaking due to their actions.

"Is like playing with dice; we never know what would set it off," Ddraig says as he checks the halo.

"I'm also surprised. I expected to fall from grace that night. I was ready for it." Gabriel admits.

"... I prefer if that was not the case. We need to be careful and not shake the waters too much."

"I know, but I'm also ready for it," Gabriel says before she rests her head on his lap.

Ddraig admires her for a moment in silence until the words of Baraqiel come back to him. "What would you say if I were to ask you to marry me with a ceremony that resembles a wedding under many of your father's doctrines?"

Gabriel is surprised by the suggestion. She stands up and turns to him with concern. "But you're a dragon and not a believer."

"But I care for you, and that's enough for me to try."

"There's no way it can happen. My siblings will know as soon as we try something like that. I don't need such things if it will put you in danger."

"What if I told you there was a way? What if we could do it?"

Gabriel grows worried. "What are you planning? Don't put yourself at risk to try to make me happy."

Ddraig shakes his head. "Baraqiel and I spoke. He implied that if I was to ask you out, I should do it with the intent of marriage. He claims there might be a way to have the ceremony, but we will need to prepare some things, including gaining the approval of Shemhazai and Azazel."

"Baraqiel said that? Wait, he knows about us?"

"He doesn't, but he sort of expects it to happen. He claimed he would help us if we were determined to make it happen."

"He said that?"

"He did. So, now we come to the question. If I were to propose, would you marry me?"

Gabriel remains silent for a few moments. Her eyes remain focused on Ddraig for a moment until he turns away and admires the bracelet she got thanks to him. "... I can't answer such a question without a proper proposal. I might be a seraph, but I'm still a maiden. I can't be like Serafall and just give you the answer before it happens."

"Is that the case?" The dragon puts his arms around Gabriel and brings her closer to him. "So you want me a proposal like any other maiden waiting for her beloved?"

"... Yes, if you want my answer. I won't give in and just accept to go alongside this plan of yours until then." Her face was as red as a tomato.

Ddraig chuckles as he feels her embarrassment. "You can't help but be the cutest daughter from heaven. Very well, my fairest maiden. I'll make preparations for such an occasion. It will be when you least expect it, and I'll get the ring that fits you the best. Not a massive diamond like many humans preferred, but a jewel that fits only you."

"You don't have to go to such extremes."

"But I must for your sake. If I give a ring to any of you, I will seek to match the same dedication I put into Tiamat's bracelet. It will be something that can't be replicated in all the realms. An item only for you."

As she heard his words, Gabriel caressed her bracelet. "... I don't seek something that draws the eyes of everyone to me. I don't desire to attract attention or jealousy from anybody."

"I promise it won't be anything outrageous. So remain calm until then."

"Very well." Gabriel closes her eyes as she allows herself to fall for the embrace of her beloved.

The dragon continued to enjoy their closeness without lust or mischievous desire while imagining his beloved seraph dressed in a wedding dress for him.

Night time.

After a long day of shopping, the group reunited under one of the bigger tents, which acted as a bar for the merchants.

Everyone seemed happy with what they obtained, but nobody could match the joy that Gabriel irradiated. It was as if someone looked at the sun without any protection. Her smile and expression were too strong.

Most of the members in the group couldn't understand how one "friendship bracelet" could lead to this.

"So you're saying you got these from an old lady?" Baraqiel asked Ddraig. "They don't look that special to me. Are you sure she wasn't taking advantage of you?"

"She wasn't. They symbolize the emotions that link both of us." The dragon said calmly as he took a sip from his drink.

Everyone turned to Eury in search of questions.

"You're expecting me to verify my uncle's claims?" Eury asked the group.

Everyone nods as they seem interested in the bracelets.

Eury sighs. "Uncle, give me here."

Ddraig stretches his arm towards Eury.

Eury touches the bracelet and uses her power to analyze the power that created it. The goddess remains silent and shows no reaction for a while until she releases the bracelet. "It is not dangerous, but I must admit it is a curious creation. It won't come off or be destroyed by standard methods. Its strength lies in the emotions that connect the owners. I'm calling it the ultimate friendship bracelet."

"So it is just a friendship bracelet, but why is Lady Rael like this?" Rossweisse asked as she made sure not to use Gabriel's name publicly.

"That's likely because she never had a gift like this," Serafall says. "Isn't that right?" She asks as she turns to Gabriel.

Gabriel continues to smile as she holds her glass. "This is the first time I have received a gift like this. It is a special moment for me."

"In more ways than one." Eury and Serafall internally say as they see the expression on Gabriel's face. "You're practically screaming that you're a young maiden in love."

"This is too cute." Yasaka hugs Gabriel. "You're too pure and cute. I'd love it if I had a child like you."

"She's indeed too pure," Ereshkigal said. "But I don't think her reactions are just because it is a gift. It is all because the Welsh Dragon gave you such a gift. Even the smallest and simplest gifts become more precious after being given by someone important to the receiver."

The three girls who knew the truth couldn't do anything but remain calm as almost everyone continued to fall for their misinterpretation of the situation.

If only they knew the truth, but for now, wishful ignorance would cut it, for fate had other plans for the group.

A mysterious figure, covered from head to toe with a red hooded robe, entered the tent before sitting on an empty table.

A waitress approached the figure and asked for its order. "Welcome. Can I offer you something to drink?"

"Milk if you have any. I'll settle for water if that's not the case. " The figure said.

The waitress was a bit confused as "milk" was a pretty expensive luxury within the realm. It wasn't as if one could have cows or similar species within a realm with some of the hottest temperatures. Those who had it in reserve sold it at ridiculous prices, and barely anyone could pay for a glass.

Before the waitress could say anything else, the figure puts a bag of jewels on the table.

The eyes of the waitress shined with excitement at the sight of the jewels. "Just a moment, dear customer."

The waitress took the bag and walked away to take care of her order.

Everything seemed calm, but to Ddraig, remaining at ease was far from easy. It is hard to erase the scent of a bloody thirsty predator. Even a million showers and thousands of perfumes can't completely erase the past.

Ddraig's eyes were drawn to the figure as his nose detected the tiniest scent of blood from the mysterious visitor.

"Ddraig?" Serafall grabs his hand as she sees the concern on his face.

"... Stay seated, and don't move an inch," Ddraig said, his eyes glued on the mysterious visitor.

The others turned their heads toward the visitor, but none understood why he was on edge.

"... Watching someone with such glaring eyes is a sign of bad manners." The mysterious visitor said.

"Trying to hide your true scent with perfumes and your appearance with that attire is not helping your case," Ddraig said.

The mysterious visitor chuckles. "I see. So even all our efforts were in vain. I can't hide myself from you after all."

"It is hard for someone like you to erase that scent; the scent that follows those that have killed too many. If I have a high body count on my back, yours is as big or even more than mine, but there's a major difference; I didn't kill those with no will to fight nor innocents."

"So you're judging me now?"

Ddraig shakes his head. "I am just saying it as it is, Sekhmet, the Bloody Lioness of the Desert."

Everyone in the tent stopped whatever they were doing when they heard the name. Some dropped to the floor unconsciously as their bodies trembled in fear; others just fell unconscious as they couldn't face the fact that the most feared goddess in the realm was before them.

The mysterious visitor removes its hood and turns around to face Ddraig. Her lioness head smiled wide as she met the dragon's glare. Her toothy smile inspired fear in those with no guts to face her. "I always wanted to meet you, Welsh Dragon. I have heard so much about you over the ages, but destiny always separates us. You never visited the realm, and it was impossible to track you down across the realms without causing major chaos. While the war was taking place, I was forced by my fellow pantheon members to remain behind and protect the realm, so we never got the chance to exchange blows."

The goddess sinks her claws into the table with visible excitement.

"But now that has changed; you're finally here and in the flesh. You don't understand how happy I am. I dreamed of your and Albion's visit. The heavenly dragons, those who opposed the very gods. I couldn't help but want to taste your blood in my claws, maybe even have either of you all to myself after defeating one of you. I want only the best on my bed, and such an opponent fits my tastes."

Serafall, Gabriel, and the other girls in the group glared at the goddess after hearing such words. It was as if Sekhmet saw Ddraig as some kind of prey she could capture and bring home to enjoy after.

The waitress returned with her awaited glass of milk. Her hands trembled, and so did her legs as she approached the goddess.

"Thanks, my dear; now hurry along. Adults are speaking." Sekhmet said as she grabbed the milk and dismissed the waitress.

"What do you want, Sekhmet?" Ddraig asks the goddess.

"What else but a fight? Keeping your group under surveillance is just too dull, so give me something that makes my blood boil. I can't kill any of you under the orders of Ra and the rest, but a broken arm or two won't be a problem. Come Welsh Dragon, show me what the legend can do. A bare-hand fight between you and me. I'll even allow your friends to participate if you don't want to have me all to yourself, so give me a fight to remember for ages." Sekhmet said before she took a sip from her milk. "Nice. Before a fight, one must enjoy a good drink."

The aura that surrounded her was one devoid of mercy and one that sought blood from its victims. An aura that disgusted even Ereshkigal as it was far from adequate for a deity to hold such bloody intentions.

Yet, the group already knew what to expect from the goddess.

Ddraig, Baraqiel, and Liv stood up as they had planned.

"We'll face you as a team, but we won't involve these innocents in our affairs. Let's find a place away from here." Ddraig said.

*Granrodeo- Beastful*

Sehkmet claps as she gets the answer she hoped to get. "Good choice, but I'm ahead of you. Follow me; I have an arena perfect for such an event."

The goddess stands up and exits the tent.

The group chases after her knowing there is no alternative but to face the goddess.

It was a night that neither side would forget.