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
Fourteen days since the beginning of the trip.
"Ouch! Please be more careful." Ddraig said as his bandages were getting changed by Serafall.
"Sorry, I'm not the best nurse you could get, but I'm still determined to try my best," Serafall said as she bandaged his abdomen.
Two days had passed since their nocturnal fight against Sekhmet, and everything was rather peaceful, but that didn't mean that all was dandy.
Baraqiel was still in bed as he continued to recover from his injuries. Liv was walking around, but she also had problems with her back as it was filled with some of the nastier cuts any doctor could expect to see. Finally, Ddraig tried not to move too much and allowed his body to rest.
Of the three, he had received the most damage, but his body was also far more resistant, which placed him in the first place for a quick recovery.
Although they had a few Phoenix tears in storage, saving them for an emergency was best. Using the egg was also out of the question, as being out for a week could spell trouble for the team as it meant losing their strongest member for a whole week.
So, they were forced to rest and use alternatives to recover from the fight. Neither of the three was mad about it, as they were exhausted. Sekhmet had been a challenging opponent, and although she didn't go for the kill, she left all of them drained physically and mentally.
"Alright, that should be enough. These bandages have been the best item our research team has developed. It might be nowhere near as effective as Phoenix tears or some Sacred Gears, but their effects are still very effective." Serafall said as she put the remaining red bandages away.
"I should buy some gifts for them before we return home." The dragon said as he laid his head back into his pillow. "Thank you for helping me with them. Is hard to change these on my own."
"You don't need to try to be the tough guy that needs no help. You have allies and me and Gabriel to support you." She reaches out and grabs his hand. "We should always do our best to support each other."
"I know, and I appreciate it."
"Good, I just wanted to ensure you always remember that. Now, should we consider these injuries a problem? Tiamat did ask us to bring you back in one piece."
Ddraig chuckles. "I am still in one piece." He checks his multiple bandages that cover many parts of his body. "The scars make me look more attractive. She won't be too mad about them."
"Ddraig, stop playing around. I don't enjoy seeing you like this, nor does anyone else. Although it is part of our field, death is always near. None of us is safe; even if we can destroy cities and nations with our powers, we must remember to be careful. That night was Sekhmet; next time, it could be Set or Horus. Let's try to avoid as many fights as possible; I prefer not to go back home and have to see you back in a hospital room."
"I know, but I must do what I need to." His hand reaches out and touches her cheek. "I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you or anyone else got seriously injured while I was around. The safety of everyone else is my priority. I'm the only one of us who can just regrow lost limbs by re-entering an egg for a week."
"Dummy, that doesn't matter. You're my boyfriend, soon-to-be husband in the not-so-far future. I can't just easily accept you getting injured and losing a limb or two. We must survive together: me, you, Gabriel, and everyone else on the team. This mission is setting out to be a tricky one if our luck runs out. We need to prioritize our team's safety above anything else."
Ddraig could see the fear on her face. Serafall had fought in a long war before. She likely lost a few or many allies and friends to circumstances that she couldn't control, but now she had someone that she cherished. Someone she loved, and that raised the stakes much higher than before.
There was no way in all the realms that Serafall would accept to bury her beloved. Not now and not in the future.
"... I know you might be feeling a bit scared, but I promise I won't fall on this land or any other. No matter how bad my body looks or how much damage I receive, remember this: I'll always return home to all of you."
"Promise?"
"I promise. Just promise me that you won't get in trouble either."
"Who me? I'm far too professional to get into such situations." Serafall jokes.
"You know what I mean. Don't put my safety over yours. I can take a hit, and we both know that those coming after my head will attack me with the intent to kill."
"Ddraig, almost everyone we have fought has done so with the intent to kill."
"But there's a significant difference; those that come after me are likely stronger than you. Susanoo, Hades, or any evil god that decides to test their luck against me, each one is an opponent that I don't want any of you to engage, at least not alone. Be smart and unite to face any if they show up while I'm not there. I can't be in two places at once, and I might even be unable to fight for some time. All of you need to make sure to survive."
"So basically, you want your beloved brides to have each other's back. I can assure you that if, for whatever reason, we end up facing any of such enemies without you, we won't try to be any kind of suicidal heroines. We'll help each other even outside the battlefield."
Ddraig smiles. "That puts me at ease."
Suddenly, the pair heard a knock on the door.
"Let's see who it is," Serafall approached the door. As she opened the door, Eury came into view.
"Is our resident dragon awake, and can I speak to him?" Eury asks as she meets Serafall.
"Sure. Go ahead. I'll be back later." Serafall moved away and got out of the room. Giving uncle and niece some time to chat would be for the best.
As she made her way out into the main living room of the ship, she expected to see some faces, but none of the other team members were around.
"Are they sleeping? Maybe outside?" The devil approaches the stairs and rushes to the surface until her eyes find Gabriel resting on the deck.
The seraph's hair flowed free against the wind as her eyes looked into the distance.
"Gabriel?"
The seraph turns to her with a serene expression. "Ah, Serafall. Are you done with Ddraig's bandages?"
"Yes, but he's chatting with Eury, so I gave some space. What are you doing out here?"
"Enjoying the breeze and reflecting on some things."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"... Sure, since we're alone."
"Don't worry about our privacy." Serafall approaches her as she activates a small barrier that surrounds them and blocks any sound from escaping.
"Devils seem to possess many spells and abilities to hide their secrets."
"We do have things that we prefer to keep away from others. Sometimes, it is best not to let others know about certain things. Not everyone can accept certain things; I learned that from the many humans I interacted with. So, what do you want to talk about?"
"You might already know. That night, during the duel, I felt a new emotion I never knew I could experience. I felt angry as Sekhmet tried to take Ddraig as if he were hers. I wanted to fight myself."
Serafall smiles. "My, my, Gabriel is typical to feel such a way. You are in a relationship, although not a conventional relationship; He's your significant other. Sekhmet openly said she would take Ddraig, so feeling angry about it is normal. She likely wanted him for his body, and feeling angry about it is not a sin. We're females; we're allowed to feel angry, to become defensive over those we care about."
"So it wasn't just me."
"Gabriel, you think I wouldn't have gotten involved if Ddraig had lost? I would have fought Sekhmet with my bare hands if needed. No lustful lioness is going to appear and claim such things so openly. These things take time, and anyone who wants to get involved with him must do it for the right reasons."
"Right…. Do you think he would do it? Would he just accept anyone?"
"He rejected Sekhmet, so he knows what he's looking for in his brides."
"He must have disliked that she had other men before based on what she said."
Serafall shakes her head. "I don't think that's what made him reject her. She didn't fit the kind that was willing to settle down. If other dragons are examples to consider, a bride for any of them must be someone willing to settle with them, have descendants, and raise them alongside them. Anyone who wants only an adventure will not fit his taste."
"Then what about me? I don't think I fit his "taste." I don't think I can give him any children."
"I think you're the exception to the rule because you're already technically part of his family. You've been there with him almost daily for over a year. You have been supporting the Welsh Dragon in any way you can. The kids are not a factor, but now that you mention it. If there was a chance, even the slightest of possibilities, would you have a child with him?"
Gabriel grows quiet. "Me, a mother…." Her mind imagines such a possibility. Her face grows as red as a tomato. "I… don't know. I mean… I'm already breaking the rules. He even told me about a ring, a ceremony, but a child….. I don't know what to say."
Serafall laughs. "You're killing me, Gabriel. Relax, it was just a question. There would be enough time to discuss such things. Who knows, maybe by that time, your siblings will be ready to take the next step forward and choose to grow as adults. Imagine a new generation of holy children born with the blessings of heaven. It would mark the start of a new era for heaven. But until then, we should figure out how to protect all of you from falling from grace. It is a complicated issue even for the fallen angels, as no pure fallen angels are born within Grigori. I was surprised when I heard that no fallen angel couples exist within Grigori."
"We're all siblings, even if some of us are closer to others. We weren't created under the same circumstances as the devils. Although we all have functional bodies, we weren't meant to procreate amongst each other or with other races."
"Such a curious reality. All of you can technically have children, but at the same time, you are not supposed to under your father's sacred mandates. Do you think there's a reason for such a thing?"
"We're not supposed to create life; it was our father's right but not ours. "Those who create life must be ready to assume responsibility for their creations and look out for their well-being," those were his words when we asked about the task of creating new life forms."
"Responsibility, you say? Wouldn't you say the fallen angels have proven they have what it takes to care for their children?"
"I do applaud many of my siblings and the families they have formed. From Baraqiel to even Shemhazai, Azazel, and all others. Yet, I don't know if we pure angels have what it takes."
Serafall shakes her head. "You can't know until you try. I don't have any experience, but when I have a child with him, I will do my best to raise it alongside him. Nobody truly knows how to be a parent until they have one of their own. Nobody knows until they experience all the stages and events surrounding being a parent. Ddraig, Issei, and Tiamat have experienced that in some ways with Tosca, but neither can claim they were ready for it. We discussed it before: when Ddraig and Issei put Tosca inside the egg, they knew it would be their responsibility to care for and raise her from then on. Neither had any mastery in parenthood, but they felt the call, and Issei wanted more than nothing to offer her the warmth he felt alongside his parents. So did Ddraig, as he saw Gaia as his maternal figure. Tiamat lacked as much experience as them but was up for the task once she learned about it. Sure, they secretly read a few books for guidance, but neither is or will be an expert."
"You don't think they have done a good job?"
"No, it is not that. They have been doing great; Tosca is a young dragoness, which I consider a good child, but she is not like the rest. She was already eight when she was reborn as a dragon, so they lack experience with earlier stages of parenthood, but when the time comes for the subsequent children, I bet they will be fine. They won't be alone because they will have all of us to lend a hand. I spoke to some of the brides of Tannin, and they all claimed the same: having each other around made it far more manageable for everyone as they are "our" children. So what I mean to say-"
"You children with him will be as much as mine. The children of the Welsh Dragon are fated to have more than just their biological mother. I get it; I sort of expect it."
"I'm glad that you understand. So if you end up not having any of your own with him, there's no problem. You can still be a mother without being related to them. Tiamat bears no blood relation to Tosca, but she is her mother, and so will I once the marriage is official."
"So my fears have no land where to stand?"
"To tell you the truth, no. This is not a competition, so you don't have to force yourself to have children or sleep with him, Gabriel. He loves you enough to overlook all that, but if you decide to take a step forward, he will accept you and guide you. He's very gentle and attentive in bed."
"Please don't. I prefer if I must not listen to such things."
"Oh, you're too damn cute for your good. Hey, if you did have a child, have you thought about what name to give it?"
"You're asking me about this, now?"
"Is a conversation between maidens who share a boyfriend; let me enjoy this. I asked Tiamat, and now I have you. I need to make sure my chosen name won't be affected."
"You choose only one."
"I want to name the first girl, and I want him to name the first boy. After those, I'll think about the ones that come after."
"Oh…. Can I know the names?"
"I want to name my first daughter after one of my favorite humans, Scathach."
"Wait a moment, you want to name your child after her?"
"I respect her legend. A human warrior who was so admired by the Celtic pantheon that she was offered a place amongst them but never reached godhood as her path was cut short by those she believed in. I want my daughter to be as impressive as her but not as foolish to get betrayed."
"You admire her? I never took you for someone who showed admiration for a human legend."
"I have a soft spot for certain tragic heroes. If fate had fancied such a woman, she would now be one of the strongest Buddhas. I can get behind a woman like no other who made its way into godhood with her strength."
"You don't cease to amaze me. Then what about Ddraig? Has he or Issei mentioned a name for a boy?"
Serafall shakes her head. "Both claim that once they met their descendants after birth, they would know what name to give to each. I think that both said that because neither felt confident about naming their children. Tiamat said she had a few names prepared for their children, so you must ask her once we return. She's going to be happy after she learns about you and Ddraig. Now tell me, what name would you give a baby?"
Her eyes shone like jewels as she cheerfully clapped her hands.
Gabriel felt surprised by such excitement as such themes were new to her. "I never thought about such things, but if I had to name a child, I would name a girl "Alma" and a boy "Solaire." I found both names appealing and beautiful as one means "The Soul" and the other represents the sun."
"So that's your kind of preference. I think both are good choices. Now imagine if such children became a reality. What would they look like? Close your eyes and think about it."
"... You're trying to influence me to have children with Ddraig?"
"Maybe, but it is okay to imagine such things. I dream about what my little Scathach or future son would look like. I imagined everything they could inherit from us and what we could teach them. You're allowed to dream about such things, Gabriel. You are free to feel every emotion, to dream about all the possibilities, and above everything else, I want you to never hold yourself back from what makes you happy." Serafall places one of Gabriel's hands on her chest while she places one on the chest of the seraph. "You can feel my heartbeat, and I can feel yours. We are devil and seraph, yet we share many things. If I can be happy, why shouldn't you also have the right to do the same? The past is the past, the present is now, and the future is ours to choose, so take control of your path, Gabriel."
Tears began to pour down Gabriel's cheek as the words of Serafall touched a place deep within her.
"Is okay. Do you need a hug?" Serafall asks.
Gabriel quickly embraces her as she continues to tear up.
"Go ahead. Cry as much as you want. It's good to let those things out. I'm here to support you as necessary."
The past had made their factions enemies, yet the present brought them together as allies and friends. Life has some unexpected ways in which they bring others together.
Some minutes later. Ereshkigal POV.
The goddess opened her eyes after a long nap. As she looked around the small room, she found herself all alone.
"Must be outside. Hopefully, Gabriel's mind is at peace. She seems to be going through many things these days."
As she sat on the bed, she felt the mild temperature of the room. It wasn't cold enough to be called refreshing, but it was better than the harsh temperatures outside. "At least it is better than the outside. Ah, the temperature is what I enjoy the least on this trip. I hope this is the last time we visit this realm under such conditions."
She was used to cold temperatures in dark places but enjoyed spring's welcoming embrace. Even a goddess who dealt with the souls of the departed was allowed to enjoy something far from her typical habitat, which is why the souls in her personal realm turned to flowers.
Flowers that continuously bloomed as they awaited a new life or the peaceful end of their existence.
Ereshkigal stood up and began to make her way outside her room. "A cold drink might help me cold down even more."
The usual grace she displayed as she walked in public was nowhere to be seen as she rushed to the kitchen area and began to look inside the fridge. A few moments went by until she finally made her choice.
"I have to give it to the Alliance's combined forces regarding food. I have not been disappointed even when we eat rations and packaged food. Nothing is stale or disgusting; everything has been flavorful, but these juices are by far the best." The goddess was holding a transparent bottle that contained a lavender liquid.
From the outside, one might even see it and think what a weird juice, but once Ereshkigal removed the cap, the wonderful scent inside exploded as it charmed anyone to enjoy its fantastic flavor. It wasn't any different for Ereshkigal as a smile took over with each sip of the drink.
Sweet but not too much, a mixture of fruity flavors endemic to the underworld and other realms. Words couldn't easily describe the flavor as it was something to be experienced instead of explained through words.
"Is too perfect to be real," Ereshkigal told herself as she admired the remaining juice left in the bottle. It was as if she had found the last bottle of water in the desert, and thankfully, she didn't need to share it. She couldn't help but giggle as she continued to enjoy the cold juice.
"That's a cheerful face I never expected to see." A voice called out to her.
Ereshkigal turned around and found Yasaka grinning at her as she sat on one of the couches.
The goddess glares at her.
"There's no need to get defensive, your holiness. I find it cute. Pass me one of those if you please." Yasaka said in a calm tone.
Ereshkigal remained silent for a moment until she gave in and grabbed an extra juice for the fox.
She approached Yasaka and gave it to her.
"Thanks. Take a seat. Let's chat for a while since it is just us two." Yasaka said as she signaled the empty spot on her couch.
Ereshkigal shakes her head as she sits down next to the fox. "What could you and I talk about?"
"The Alliance, your work, anything works. We should try to get to know each other more as allies." Yasaka says as she opens her bottle and takes a sip. "This is indeed good. The development team behind this must have enjoyed the access to various fruits from several realms."
"I know, it is becoming my favorite. So you want to know about me?"
"How is it? How are you feeling now that you have so many souls under your jurisdiction?"
"I feel no different than before."
"Really? But now you technically have a claim over the souls of Michael, Athena, and even Shiva if they were to die."
"Yasaka having claims to more souls doesn't mean I become more powerful or even more stressed out. I can be present here, but inside my shadow, the daily tasks of a goddess of death continue without my direct command. More souls won't affect my powers as I have mastered them."
"So not even a billion souls will affect you?"
"Not even that. Deities who rule over the souls of the departed must master their powers and know how to work with large amounts of souls. How to make them accept their deaths, allow them to move on when reincarnation is possible, and punish the ones that deserve to be punished for their actions is necessary for the job. Still, we each learn how to handle the task, although we have different approaches to certain areas. Besides that, the hardest part is collecting the souls; reapers take care of that."
"I have never seen a reaper bringing you souls since we started this trip. How does it work?"
"Who says they haven't brought me any souls? Bennia, please say hi to Yasaka for me." Ereshkigal says.
A dark-clothed figure appears next to Ereshkigal for a moment—the figure waves at Yasaka before it vanishes again.
"She was here all along?" Yasaka asks the goddess.
"She comes and goes without being seen or detected; she might visit me once or even five times a day just to deliver souls alongside other reapers. A reaper must remain unnoticed and hold back from openly interacting with those around while on the clock. They need to constantly move from one realm to the next in search of souls that need to be collected, although it is far more complex than what I make it out to be. They are free to collect souls from any realm but can't interfere with the realms or whatever is happening; they must remain neutral, or there will be consequences."
"Sounds tough."
"It is, and that's why I appreciate their help. Each one comes and places the collected soul in my shadow; from there, I absorb the souls into my realm and take care of them depending on what I collect from their memories."
"I see. How do the reapers know to whom to deliver the souls?"
"Depends on their realm of precedence, claims of other gods, and the reapers' thoughts. For example, I have always received the souls of fallen angels and devils without any exceptions. No other gods want them, but I welcome them. Youkai souls, such as those found in your faction, also come to me, but those Youkai that still follow the Shinto gods go to Izanami-no-Mikoto. Those who openly sold their souls to a specific god while alive will be returned to it once dead. I also had a few problems with gods who previously claimed ownership of certain souls, such as Hades claiming the right to judge every soul from the Nazi army when WWII happened. Everyone wanted to be the one to punish those humans, but we agreed to share the souls amongst ourselves. I got a good amount of them while Hades got the main man of their army in the end."
"So that guy is within Hades's grasp."
"He is. I saw what Hades prepared for him, and he's not enjoying his time in the land of the dead. Anyways, that's my job; what about yours?"
"Mine… the same as it has always been. I led my faction and ensured we had everything we needed while protecting ourselves from humans, specifically from the onmyoji exorcists. You can't imagine how much chaos one stray youkai can create for the rest. How one action can lead to a whole race getting chased into extinction."
"Yasaka, I know. It must have been hard to make them stop hunting all of you down. Most humans fear what is different, what they can't control, and what is not like them. It is one of those deep-rooted prejudices and is also why so many end up being punished by me or other gods."
Yasaka nods. "Fear of the unknown and different can lead to horrendous crimes getting committed under the claims of self-protection. I hope that in Shangri-La, such things are never an issue."
"It won't be the case. Those who move into the city know they will not live in a city that embraces segregation, discrimination, or racism. The alliance comprises many different backgrounds; not one race is superior to the next. We're all different in many ways, but we came together and agreed to work to achieve the same goals."
"The beast. You believe in him?"
"Why shouldn't I? If someone is to face the bringer of desolation and destruction, it has to be someone who matches its caliber. Shiva admitted that he lacked what was needed, and if he claims that the Welsh Dragon has it, I can't object to it. I have seen him fight, and I can see him growing beyond this shell into something far more powerful than Shiva. We just have to wait until then."
"So you accept his importance as the enforcer and predestined "hero," but that doesn't change your past with him. You want to have a child with him. It is the first time I have seen such a complex situation. What made you go for this?"
"One word, loneliness. You can't understand how it feels not having anyone to call family around you and living in complete isolation. Talking to the reapers and Enkidu is not enough. I want to feel whole again; being a mother made me happy and complete. Choosing him as the father is outrageous, but I must ensure he won't do something similar to my next child. The Welsh Dragon wouldn't hurt his own kin. Having Ddraig as the father will also ensure its safety, as he will do everything to protect my child. A mother must do everything to ensure the safety of her children."
Yasaka couldn't deny her words but still had reservations about the whole thing. "But you don't love him, and how can you be so sure about his potential to be a parent?"
"And he doesn't love either, but we have agreed to play the part to make it work. From what I have seen, he's a good father, and I know he could be even better as time goes by. You don't need to be afraid for my sake. As a mother, I know you don't want others to experience the same problems you did. Aku, that's his name, isn't it?"
"..." Yasaka remains silent.
"I heard a few rumors. You and Kunou aren't having the best of time with him."
"... It is not easy to forget the past."
Ereshkigal nods. "I know in more ways than one. My first husband, the one who was supposed to put before anything else, allowed himself to become the plaything of Ishtar. He followed her orders and got himself killed for a stupid grudge she held against Gilgamesh. She couldn't accept rejection and sent my husband as her "champion" to deliver punishment upon Gilgamesh. I couldn't forgive him after he got resurrected; he was my husband, yet he got involved in another woman's affairs. Ishtar didn't care much about him, yet he followed her. It was unforgivable."
"... You didn't try to forgive him?"
"Forgiveness is something that shouldn't be quickly offered. Gugalanna apologized many times, but I could see it in his eyes; her charms enthralled him, and if Ishtar had opened her legs for him, he would have followed her to the end. I marry him under the premise of fidelity, a marriage of two, not three. If he wanted another, he could go on on his own."
"Ddraig has multiple brides, and I doubt he's stopping soon."
"But I'm not married to him, nor do I care. It comes with the realm of dragons. Look, when I married Gugalanna, I did under the assumption that he would be with me only. It was meant to be marriage for eternity; I would be only his, and he would be mine, yet he betrayed my trust. Once the confidence between a couple gets shattered, it is hard to repair the damage. It is best to move on, accept that it is over, to move on to greener pastures."
"But you never got married again."
"I didn't need to back then or need it now. Look, I will have a child with the Welsh Dragon, but I will not let him drag me into a ceremony. I'm not allowing anyone to put a ring on me ever again. I'm past that stage."
"... So you wouldn't recommend me to reconcile with Aku either?"
"That choice is only yours to make, Yasaka. Nobody but you should make it. The same applies to your daughter; it is up to her to allow him back in her life. But if you want my opinion, I would make peace with him and move on to another relationship if you have somebody or remain single. Broken relationships are best left behind because what didn't work once can fail again. Aku hurt you; choosing what to do next is up to you."
Ereshkigal grabs the hand of the fox. "Nobody is forcing you to get back together. You can just make peace and move on. Kunou is also an adult; she can make her choices without you. Don't force yourselves to try to regain an era long gone. The path is always forward, and who knows what awaits you in the future. Maybe you'll find someone who will be there at the altar waiting for you with a smile."
Yasaka remains silent as she remembers the day of the ceremony. The pain she endured came back to her as she recalled everything that happened. It was something deeply ingrained in her mind and soul, but deep inside her, she hoped for a ceremony that had gone differently. A wedding in which she could have smiled as she held her husband's hand, but as Yasaka tried to imagine the face of the groom, she only saw a blank space. "I can't. Not with him, not ever again. I can't accept Aku as my husband."
"Thank you, Ereshkigal. I need to think about what I might say to Aku the next time we see each other."
Ereshkigal smiles. "It was my pleasure, although I don't see myself as the best example to follow. Everyone should do what they feel is best for them and not the others. One's happiness should come first as long as it doesn't involve the suffering of others."
Both were hurt by love.
Ereshkigal closed her heart to prevent another betrayal, yet she couldn't close it entirely, as a mother's love was eternal.
Yasaka was hurt, yet deep inside, she wished for her dream to be a reality.
None could escape love entirely, nor could they, for life works in mysterious ways.
*Tatsuya Kitani feat Eve- Love Song*
Author's notes:
101 chapters….. I'm proud and tired. Let's hope I don't continue the story for another 300 chapters.