CecilRedwing: I am glad I could make you laugh so hard. xD
DJDrake: That was probably the funnest part to write, if I didn't think it'd get boring I'd have loved to write their full hour of back and forth poetry about Ygritte and Rossweisse.
FireFox614: She really is :), don't worry, Dorian appreciates all of her womanly beauty, he just doesn't want to come off as a pervert. He'll get to her...posterior eventually. Flex Tape! The ultimate defense beyond the gods! xD. That will be interesting when he gets to Kuoh Academy and meets the girls...especially Kiryuu and her ability to tell a man's...measurements from a glance...Odin help him...
A Plexx: Thank you! You never know, if Rossweisse is too slow...the daughter of thunder may have to take the initiative...
ahsoei: Good fluff is the best fluff. :D
Piemaster981: Exactly, a little relaxation before the serious hammer comes down, every series needs some downtime. I have to be strong not to just write chapters like that and forget about the conflict for our heroes lol.
naruto: I will! You better believe it!
PasiveNox: Glad you enjoyed it!
Sakra95: Thanks! Funny enough, in the original Poetic Edda, there were contradictions as both Frigga and Freyja were referred to as Odin's wife (singular) and both were accused of infidelity. So to sort of rectify that I merged the two goddesses for the DxD universe. Freyja is her name and Frigga (meaning beloved) is a pet name she and Odin shared before their falling out. As for weapons and sacred gears I cannot say yet...but I never like to add weapons straight from other franchises...prefer to make my own variations :D
djohagan: Thank you, in my opinion, for a relationship to be the most meaningful it needs to be fleshed out. Dorian isn't Issei after all (dodges incoming projectiles from Issei fans).
fanficcyberman: Thank you, I hope to never disappoint :)
And on that note...on with the show!
The day has come; Dorian and his allies shall embark on a journey to the ancient land of another mythology. But how long will their errand of peace last in a world where war and chaos are the preferred status quo?
The harsh knocking noises roused the hung-over Valkyrie from her slumber. She couldn't recall it but was certain she'd had a good dream. She stumbled out of her bed groggily as the pounding continued, both in her ears and her head. Looking down, she realized she had gone to sleep still wearing her suit; the shirt was ruffled and unbuttoned while her pants were crumbled at the foot of the bed. She must have wiggled her way out of them in the night; it wouldn't be the first time.
"I'm coming!" She called out as she sluggishly made her way through the living room. Her vision was only now starting to clear and she had to half-feel her way to the door from memory.
"Rough night?" Thrud asked as she opened it, revealing her fellow Valkyrie and friend. For some reason the daughter of Thor's eyes went wide as she looked at Rossweisse's appearance, glancing behind her to the sofa for a moment.
""Ooooh, not so loud," Rossweisse groaned. "I guess I had a bit too much fun last night."
"Clearly," Thrud muttered, she had a devilish grin yet seemed a tad apprehensive for some reason. "I know you and Dorian won that competition, but wasn't this going a bit far?"
"I probably should have maintained my composure better," she admitted, once she had even a taste of alcohol anymore she seemed to vent all her frustrations. "I just…lost control; you ever have those moments when you just have to…let it all out? Are you feeling alright?"
Thrud's face had gone bright red at her words though she was doing her best to hold it in with her formerly unshakable self-control.
I had no idea Rossweisse could be so bold!
"Well…I am…glad you had a good night, I hope it was all you've ever imagined and hoped for. The Allfather has issued summons and is requesting our presence in two hours."
"I'll be there," she promised, confused by Thrud's choice of words.
"Excellent, and um…make sure Dorian is aware he is summoned as well when he wakes." She waved farewell as she left to complete another half dozen errands before the meeting.
Dorian? Rossweisse thought as she meandered over to the sofa to fetch her slippers. His quarters are on the opposite side of the palace. Why would she expect me to wake him?
Her cushions felt quite lumpy as she tried to sit down, still half-asleep she gripped and fluffed them to try and soften their texture. They did not feel like her usual cushions.
"Just…mmmmm…just five more minutes my lady…"
Rossweisse shot back onto her feet, now wide awake and alert as she recognized the voice. Craning her neck down, she spotted none other than Dorian sleeping on the sofa. He was wrapped in the comforter she kept there and was slouched across almost its entire length and had his arms linked around one of her pillows. She could see his shirt had been discarded in the night and he was bare-chested beneath the blanket. She had been sitting right on his...admittedly impressive muscles, how had he not awoken? And worse yet was her realization.
The sofa is right in front of the door, Thrud saw him, she must have thought we…
"DORIAN!" She screamed as the image entered her mind, leaping to her feet as the young man shot up into a sitting position before tumbling forward onto the floor.
"Rose!?" What are you doing in….your house?" He asked as he struggled to find his shirt, only then realizing he was not in his dorm as he had initially thought.
"What are you doing on my sofa? We didn't…we couldn't have…did we?"
"No, no, I don't think so?" Dorian stuttered as he strove to remember the previous night, his own headache pounding furiously. "I-I brought you home, I vaguely recall you being sick. I must have passed out before I could leave."
"And you undressed me?" She motioned towards her disheveled appearance. Dorian's gaze ran up and down her a second or two longer than was required.
"No…NO! I only took off your jacket, shoes and socks, nothing more, I swear...well and your tie." Rossweisse had already rushed off to her room, slamming the door behind her before he finished his sentence. He could hear her rustling through clothes no doubt to become presentable.
"I can't believe this," she vented through the door. "This is so embarrassing, what if we…we might have…"
"If it makes you feel better," Dorian called through the sturdy frame. "I don't feel like we did anything." He started securing his own shoes for the return trip to his room.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Well, I can't imagine I could ever be THAT drunk to forget completely if we did."
Rossweisse emerged from her room slowly, pants back on and her shirt re-buttoned while trying to hide her flushed cheeks.
"Th-Thrud advised we are summoned before The Allfather and Lady Freyja. We have two hours to prepare."
"I'll hurry," Dorian hopped back up. "And…I am sorry."
"You don't have to apologize; after the shameful display I am sure I put on last night, I am the one who should be…what is this?"
Dorian turned before reaching the door, Rossweisse was holding the small gift he had left on the nightstand still unopened.
"That…that was just," Rossweisse started opening it as he spoke. "What I wanted to give you back in the vault."
As the last bits of wrapping fell away, the contents were revealed. Inside was a clear display case housing a small white rose made of glass. The design allowed it to stand on its own even once the case was removed. Rossweisse smiled as she looked at it, thinking how perfect it would look on the very nightstand he had left it as a present.
"You didn't have to."
"Don't worry; I got it at the Twin Wolves for an excellent deal."
He got it at a discount!? She was so proud of him.
"But," she had to ask. "Why a white rose?"
"Well, when I saw it," he tried to articulate. "Your name, Rossweisse, white rose, it just seemed so perfect."
The maiden Valkyrie let out a soft giggle, trying to stop so he would not think she was making fun of him.
"That was thoughtful, but my name means white steed, not rose."
Dorian just stared at her, gaze blank and unblinking as if his brain had shut down, an awkward grin frozen on his face. In actuality, it was to cover the fact that two simple words were now being screamed repeatedly in his mind over and over again at the frustration of his lack of foresight to actually research the meaning behind her name.
DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!
Asgard Meeting Hall…
"Thank you all for being so punctual," Freyja announced to those gathered before a long ornate table within the halls of Asgard. Every seat was full putting the total occupants at fifty people ranging from diplomats to scientists and everything in between.
Dorian and Rossweisse had arrived early after showering and making themselves presentable for Odin's halls. Thrud had already been present before them, when Dorian had broken off to go over his duties for Freyja; the lone Valkyrie had taken the opportunity to explain the previous evening's events to Thor's daughter. The result had been a belly laugh at the misunderstanding that echoed throughout the hall, greatly confusing Dorian who remained none the wiser to what his combat instructor had assumed occurred between them.
"I apologize for the shortness of warning, however this requires immediate attention. As many of you know, we have long been in negotiations with those hailing from the Greek Pantheon in regards to an exchange of ideas and cooperation between our people."
Whispers and mutterings between the selected groups briefly rose. Dorian felt as if he underappreciated the impact of this event considering the short time he had resided in Asgard. Even Thrud's face lightened at the words.
"Yesterday afternoon, we received the official invitation from their leaders, but time is short. They wish to begin finalizing the treatise immediately; we will be heading out today. Your equipment and supplies needed for the journey have already been collected and will be awaiting you."
"Is this the entirety of the envoy?" An armored man, the lead Hersir at the table raised a hand in inquiry.
"That is correct Erland, you and all collected here will represent the words and might of Asgard. I shall accompany thee as well along with a hundred personally chosen warriors led by yourself."
"I will be unable to attend," Odin added. "In my stead, Rossweisse shall speak for me."
"And of course, Mr. Held, you shall accompany us and continue your services as my retainer. How is your knowledge of Greek mythology?"
"Acceptable if what is known on Midgard is accurate."
"Excellent," the goddess returned her attention to the entire room. "I pray I need not stress the utter importance of this endeavor. No two mythologies have interacted on such a scale in recorded history. It is miraculous enough when the varying factions of a single myth can work together."
Dorian listened, taking every word into account. As he had learned in his studies on Midgard coupled with those here, the Aesir and Vanir under Odin and Freyja's forefathers once waged brutal wars similar to how devils, angels and fallen angels now fought in Azazel's religion. Such conflict had divided the nine realms as the various races chose their side. It was only when both stood on the precipice of annihilation that peace was reached through the marriage of their respective leaders.
"It is true that unlike our own, the Olympians gained peace through the extinction of their rivals the Titans and Zeus has admitted the shortsightedness of such actions. If this can come to pass, it will show all the others out there that war is not the only answer. That is my wish…"
The room grew silent as Lady Freyja ended her speech, appearing to need to recompose herself. Only Dorian noticed the minutely subtle shakes of her fingers she was so excited yet retained the composure of a goddess.
"You know your tasks," Odin took over. "Get to them and Godspeed."
Not long after, Dorian stood beside the entrance to the Bifrost, arrayed in his new equipment gifted for this mission. He held Bright Star, the only weapon he required, but since the battle he had been given new armor befitting his station along with a uniquely designed bracer that fit to his right wrist. On command it could fan out an impressive round shield that remained condensed otherwise, an excellent and unexpected defense that worked even while his Sacred Gear was engaged.
He wore what appeared to be a sleeveless vest and matching black leggings; based on the texture it could have been mistaken for a form of Kevlar or hardened leather. In actuality it was quite durable and capable of deflecting blows as aptly as the hardest steel. The design etched into the chest was similar to those adorning other guardsmen, however whereas theirs were pure silver, Dorian's had the engraving of Yggdrasil made of gold to signify his position.
He had been informed that the suit was more than it seemed. On command, sleeves of thick chain-mail could extend and over his arms down to the thick bracers, though he left them bare for now due to the warmer climate surrounding Mt. Olympus. In addition, like the Valkyrie armor, it could be summoned and dismissed at will leaving the young Einherjar in his more professional business suit he wore beneath. He had also been provided a blue over-tunic and deep brown trousers and red cloak as per ancient Norse custom at more formal gatherings; however he felt the personal aids to the rulers of Asgard should have uniformity to their clothes and chosen one more akin to Rossweisse's.
Rossweisse wore her silver-white and blue Valkyrie armor, and he finally got to see Thrud arrayed in hers. She wore a gold variation which was noticeably thicker than the others with an engraving of Mjolnir etched onto the chest framed by Yggdrasil's branches. The daughter of thunder apparently preferred a deep blue leotard beneath versus Rossweisse's black. Nevertheless, even hers left the thighs and arms bare with the chest piece accentuating her ample breasts. The young man dared not check at how it showed off their...posteriors lest certain death follow. Dorian surmised he would never get used to how absolutely captivating the two women looked while wearing them.
I wonder if the Allfather forced adjustments to the armor of Valkyries after his marriage to Freyja, I wouldn't put it past him. Knowing him he would have sued for peace with the Vanir JUST to allow that...
"I do wonder," Dorian questioned as they were awaiting the others. "It they fear an attack to rush our arrival and include so many guards, why do we not Bifrost straight inside the walls?"
"Olympus, like Asgard," Rossweisse explained. "Is protected from both physical and magical entry. Such teleportation would be impossible and our bond of trust is not so strong yet that they would allow the field to be lowered for even a moment lest others take advantage of it even if we do not."
But, I was able to enter Asgard through the Roads, does that mean it can bypass barriers? For the meantime he decided to keep that thought to himself.
"Such bonds are what we shall make on this venture."
Lady Freyja emerged behind them. She wore an exquisite appropriately low-cut magenta gown with green and gold woven into the lining as beautiful patterns snaked their way up and around. Truly it was the finest she owned for such a monumental occasion. She had wanted to look her best and succeeded. She had her own Valkyrie armor of course as queen of their numbers yet chose the role of goddess first.
"I have never seen you so excited my lady," Dorian remarked, hoping he did not overstep his boundaries. He knew from the letters and missives he had helped with that she wrote often to other myths and religions, she seemed to be on good terms with many.
"Of course Mr. Held," she admitted. "This is the beginning of a grand project I feared would never come to pass."
"Grand project?" It was the first he had heard her mention anything like it.
"There are so many myths, religions, gods, demigods and faiths scattered across creation. We have kept separate since eternity began, and all it has done is make it easier for those who seek chaos to reign. We stay separate, yet those who have mutual goals of destruction worked past those barriers."
Dorian's gaze narrowed at such a statement, yet it made sense. Those with determined enough mutual goals will often find a way. It was unfortunate the more violent factions had achieved this cooperation first.
"My project, my dream," she continued, feeling comfortable expressing it to him. "Is to facilitate a single force that protects ALL realms, myths and religions made up of members from each. A way of bringing them together in a way that has not been seen since the Grand Concurrence, if even then."
The light in her eyes was so bright as Dorian could tell she was picturing it in her mind.
Just like my purpose, Iggy whispered in his mind.
"None would be greater than another, from the largest to the smallest, all would be protected and have a voice. Those who seek shelter in other realms hoping to hide from the laws of another will find no haven and be brought to justice. That is what today represents Mr. Held, a start to that force with Asgard and Olympus as the forerunners of change through which others may follow."
"That sounds…amazing," he replied truthfully. He had not even known such worlds truly existed before being awoken in Freyja's chamber and now he was, about to visit another he had only heard of in myth and legend. "I hope to aid in making that dream a reality." The goddess and queen of Asgard laid a hand on his shoulder followed by a smile. His words rang true in her heart as he'd hoped. She would trust him with her plans for the future.
"Lady Freyja," Hersir Erland interrupted with a bow. "The envoy is prepared; we may leave at your discretion."
"Excellent, have everyone begin boarding the Bifrost for the rendezvous point…we set off at once!"
Olympian Countryside…
A blast of rainbow light impacted the ground before expanding outward to accommodate everyone. When stretched to its limits, the Bifrost was capable of transporting entire armies; a hundred and fifty was nothing to it.
Dorian held his ground as the light dissipated, revealing the full envoy of Asgard. They had appeared in a vast green plain that stretched on for miles. The view was breathtaking; trees lined the fringes of the field, dotting the landscape were colored flowers of every color imaginable. He inhaled deeply, taking in the cool fresh air that sent a chill up his spine.
"Are we in Greece?" Dorian asked, uncertain where else the entrance to Olympus may be located.
"Close enough," Thrud replied, Dorian could not help but notice she looked very apprehensive. "This is a pocket dimension separate from Midgard directly that is meant to be a buffer between Olympus and the mortal realm, but we shouldn't be here."
"What do you mean?"
"We were supposed to meet with an entourage from Olympus closer to the physical Mount Olympus. But we seem to be several miles south of the intended point."
"Could the Bifrost have been redirected by Olympus' defenses?"
"Possibly, but considering they were expecting us, that is highly unlikely. I don't like this Dorian, we'll have to trek up north to reach them, stay on your guard."
Dorian nodded, gripping Bright Star all the tighter. The rest of the caravan seemed to have started realizing the incorrect landing point and were recalculating where to begin. Unfortunately, with so many in tow it took time to gather their bearings before they could set out in the correct direction.
Despite remaining vigilant, Dorian could not help but admire the countryside. The mortal servants of the gods of Olympus who had remained with them even in their dwindling modern times called this land their home. He wondered how many still lived on that ancient soil. Fortunately, all remained peaceful despite how vulnerable they were on an open plain.
Dorian had a chance to converse with the commander of the envoy's security as they reached the base of the mountain, Hersir Erland. He was a large man, but not bulky or overly muscular like Modi, rather he had a proper balance throughout putting him nearly a full head higher than the young Einherjar with a dark red mane of braided hair with accompanying beard. He was stern yet kind, not caring in the slightest that Dorian had lived among them for so short a time. If anything, he was impressed by the recent victory over Thrud's younger brother and seemed to be attempting to recruit the young Einherjar.
"After that performance, I am sure you would be honored among the soldiers of Asgard," he assured him once more. "Have you considered such a post?"
Dorian shook his head. "To be honest, I haven't really thought that far ahead, I am still getting used to things as is. And I enjoy being Lady Freyja's retainer."
"Few Einherjar remain in the post for long," he explained. Having defended the goddess for so long, he was privy to much. "Either they retire due to considering it an insult for a warrior, or they angered Lady Freyja with their rudeness or ineptitude for the work. You may be among the longest lasting at this…"
The Hersir raised his sword, demanding all to stop; they complied as he glanced about, flattening his hand to advise caution. His soldiers immediately dropped into ready positions. Erland did not command such lightly, Dorian did the same.
"I knew nearer to the mountain would bring us within easy ambush points, there is something off in the air."
Dorian glanced about, they were nearing a series of thin passageways sandwiched between rock walls, but there was no other way through. A thick mist hung above, obscuring the tops of the cliffs, it was too much to be coincidence.
"We move quickly, once the pass is cleared we can…"
One of the men nearby fell forward, face planting into the dirt with an arrow lodged in the back of his neck.
"AMBUSH!" Erland cried out as they heard the familiar whistling of arrows all around them.
Dorian raised his right wrist, expanding his shield to protect him in the nick of time as three more arrows bounced off it. Rossweisse was on the other side of the convoy and had erected a massive seal to protect a contingent of diplomats and soldiers already readying their own bows. Behind the troop, an explosion alerted them to the rockslide blocking them from withdrawing to the open plains beyond.
They were trapped.
Pulling back, Thrud released a greatarrow towards the cliffs, the top of the rock exploding at its impact. There was no way she failed to kill something and was already drawing back another shot. It was chaos all around as men fell filled with feathered arrows, a large force of Valkyries had gathered around Freyja, forming a barrier that deflected all projectiles to protect her while others collected the wounded for healing. They dared not take to the skies with the air and foes obscured such by the mist.
Dorian summoned Laerad Ragnarok, rotating to the magenta colored gem as he drew seals of his own. They were nowhere near the match of Rossweisse's, but with the reinforcement seal he had glimpsed in his fight coupled with his Gear, they were well above the norm for his skill level. Creating twin fire seals he rotated them in different directions and fired where he estimated the hail of death to be coming from. His first guess proved right as dozens of recently loosed arrows rained from the sky reduced to ash upon passing through his javelin of fire and no further came from that region.
A fresh wave came down on Dorian and the soldiers near him; kneeling beneath his shield he weathered the attack though one skidded off the side of his torso, his new armor denying it a chance at his flesh.
We need to know who we are dealing with!
Holding his shield aloft, Dorian aimed Bright Star like a javelin in the direction of the latest barrage. Steadying his aim, he waited for the next shot, he did not have long to wait. The moment he saw the latest arrow, he reared back, loosing his spear where he was sure the archer must be. As the swordspear disappeared into the mist above, he heard the satisfying sound of the blade striking home and the grunt of an assailant. Holding out his hand, he silently summoned it back to his grasp. His impossible weapon responded immediately…and it was not alone.
Bright Star returned lodged in the shoulder of a hunched over creature. It had the appearance of a woman with a small build yet had strength to spare as she struggled against the pull. Her skin was pale yet along the back and arms were dark blue and green feathers trailing up her arms which doubled as wings. Adrenaline at the battle was all that allowed Dorian to keep his composure upon looking over her appearance. As far as he could tell, she was naked except for feathers strategically covering her body. Amazingly, the bow was gripped by her taloned feet rather than her hands which were occupied keeping her aloft, contorting herself impossibly she nocked another shot with her feet and pulled back.
He needed only to gesture upward and Bright Star dislodged itself from her shoulder, with a spin the haft cracked the bird-woman upside the head. She slumped to the ground unconscious. There was enough death around him if even one more could be prevented.
"Harpies!" He cried loud enough for all nearby to hear. "The archers are harpies and must be mobile in the skies above the fog!"
Thrud smiled at the information gathered, taking hold of one of the few greatarrows left to her she started whispering into it like a lover telling sweet nothings. In response, the bolt burst into a crackling shroud of lightning, the daughter of thunder was grinning maliciously. Harpies were known to be weak to lightning…her forte. Taking aim with the enchanted projectile, she fired straight up into the mist obscuring their winged foes. The arrow flew straight and true, passing through the haze seemingly with no effect. Only after disappearing into the murky soup above did an explosion burst through it, releasing bolts of blue lightning in all directions horizontally.
Horrific shrieks pieced the sky, after several moments it died down as dozens of harpy bodies started raining from the sky, their wings and bodies scorched. One by one they fell to the ground, signaling an end to the rain of death that had pinned them between the cliffs. The soldiers were quick to dispatch each that could still fight.
"That cannot be all there was," Erland surmised as he speared a harpy that still stirred.
"Please don't say tha…" Dorian begged as he finished securing the lone survivor he had knocked out. On cue, the Hersir's fears were founded as the Earth began to shake.
"Form ranks! Erland commanded upon realizing the sound was coming up the pass before them. The soldiers previously taking shelter or protecting others from the arrows fell into formation with sufficient numbers to form five rows, their discipline unshaken by the turmoil around them.
In the distance, kicking up a trail of dust was a force lined up from wall to wall of the narrow pass. The attackers were immense beasts with the head of bulls but bodies reminiscent of a man's though were much larger and more muscular. Each one was armed with battleaxes, Warhammers and other appropriately oversized instruments of war. They seemed to be emitting a dim red aura around their bodies.
Minotaurs, Dorian held out his Sacred Gear. In this confined space, I could create some space with the fires of Musphelheim if I'm careful.
The gem rotated, but Dorian failed to notice it fell on a deep orange on his thought of fire rather than the swirling black and red magma it had during his match with Modi. He aimed his gear towards the approaching horde and fired.
He and Erland were quite confused as only a single ball of orange flame drifted from his gear rather than the torrent of stone-melting fire he had expected. It just hovered in front of them before drifting towards their envoy. All those touched by the orb felt their weariness abate though their injuries remained; it was certainly not what either was expecting.
What was that? Dorian screamed internally as his attack flubbed.
A power not native to the nine realms, Iggy tried to explain. Fire enough to...
I clearly asked for real fire! His thoughts interrupted her. Not a little…
He had no time to continue his self-berating as the enemy was nearly upon them, he'd have to figure it out later. For the meantime he readied Bright Spear as the standard soldiers launched all the arrows that remained to them into the attacking force. Many fell, but their numbers were quite impressive in the small space allotted to them. Freyja was busy tending to the wounded, her powers over healing were unmatched by any other in the nine realms, her husband included.
"Protect Lady Freyja! Erland commanded to a resounding roar of approval from his troops. "FOR ASGARD!"
The Asgardian's answered his warcry and charged forward, Dorian took to the now-clear skies with Rossweisse, Thrud and the other Valkyries laying down a suppressing fire of every seal-type on the attacking force, giving their own men a fighting chance.
"They had this planned out," Thrud shouted as she loosed the last greatarrow upon their numbers while dodging thrown spears and javelins to keep them busy. "They have us boxed in."
"We can funnel them, Dorian if you would!" Rossweisse commanded.
As one, the two created multiple seals though Rossweisse still far outshined him. Torrents of fire, lightning, and hail impacted the Minotaur lines further back to prevent any chance of hitting their own men. Thrud swooped low; slamming into the ground like a meteor at the moment Erland's troops collided with their front lines and started tearing into them with her twin shortswords shrouded with blue lightning. It was a free for all melee at this point.
The Minotaurs appeared to be individually stronger than the standard Asgardian soldiers save for the veterans like Erland, and even twenty could not match Thrud as she danced gracefully, her crackling blades never missing a stroke. Their lines stretched as far as they could see and their envoy of peace was not outfitted for true warfare.
"That glow!" Rossweisse warned him. "Their physical attributes are being augmented; they must have spellcasters of their own!"
Dorian nodded, rotating to the white-gold light of Alfheim, he focused on the outcroppings above the battle. They must be obscuring themselves somehow, but none could hide from the light of the elves.
"THERE!" He shouted as the light passed over the cliffs, revealing rippling forms camouflaged with the wall. The silver-haired beauty focused on the new location, a dozen seals appearing over her shoulder unleashing a merciless bombardment into the hidden foes.
As the dust cleared, he got a good look at the bodies. Sure enough, upon each location were creatures that resembled humans from the waist up though in shape only. Each one was covered in moss-green scales with eyes like lizards; below each hip instead of legs was a single snake-like tail. He had no idea what creatures they were, but with the long gold staves held in each hand, their status as the spellcasters was unmistakable.
They must have gotten all that were nearby or driven off the rest as the dim aura surrounding the bull-attackers dissipated, he hoped that would help their men below without the strength boost.
"I'm heading down!" Dorian asserted, able to appreciate how phenomenally they were outnumbered from his aerial vantage point. "Can you and your sisters cover us?"
Rossweisse nodded in absolute certainty, directing the remaining senior Valkyries to concentrate their fire as Dorian dove. Seeing that the right flank seemed to be faltering, he aimed directly for their ranks further in, slamming on top of the unfortunate Minotaur he had selected and dispersing those near. Bright Star extended, impaling the next in line, with a spin he clipped a dozen more and cleared a small opening that quickly filled in with enemies once more. They were strong even without the magical reinforcement; fortunately Dorian was still able to access the gold strength of Asgard, making him more than a match for them.
But what happened to my fire? This is getting ridiculous; there is no end to…
Dorian's thought was cut off as a massive bolt of lightning struck the center of the enemy lines, killing all caught in it and opening a wide portal not dissimilar from the Bifrost. A great torrent of white lightning forked outward, passing through dozens of the bull-men opponents, dropping them in an instant.
A pair of women emerged, the first was arrayed in armor Dorian recognized as those of frontline fighters of ancient Greece city states such as Athens and Sparta with only slight changes to the design. She wore a red-bronze cuirass that he guessed based on the details was chiseled perfectly to match the contours of her own chest and torso beneath with matching leg greaves and bracers. She had a short red cloak denoting her status as an officer further exemplified by the heavy bronze helmet decorated with a crest of hair. She was armed with a long spear and short double-edged sword known as a xiphos. A round shield nearly as tall as her was strapped to her left arm yet she showed no difficulty in holding it.
The second seemed different, as if she weren't human. She was over six feet tall with flowing blue-purple hair tied into a grand ponytail with bangs nearly covering her gold eyes. Her attire seemed ill-chosen for combat as it was a form-fitting white-gold dress overlaid with a clear mesh that allowed her bare arms to be seen. Across her low-cut robe was a blue sash stretching from shoulder to hip synched with a gold cord. She was armed with an imposing trident, the handle blazing green though the three prongs reminded Dorian of a material akin to diamond yet was more tea-blue in coloration.
The young man froze at the sight of the two women, the first swiftly cut down the three Minotaurs nearest her as the second merely stood, glancing about as if unimpressed with the scene around her.
"Hoplites!" The first roared in a voice that gave Dorian chills. "As one!"
The light behind her dissipated, revealing an impressive force of similarly dressed men and women in shining armor many times their own number. Locking their shields, they turned from the beleaguered force of Asgard, facing the bulk of the regrouping army without hesitation.
"LONG SPEARS!"
At her command, a hail of javelins rained down upon the creatures of Greek myth piercing armor, bone and flesh. Their first half-dozen lines were decimated by the barrage, the hafts sticking from the ground like some sort of graveyard.
"FORWARD!"
The force advanced, spears preventing the invaders from reaching their ranks and those that did were swiftly cut down by the second and third lines. The imposing woman in the dress rose above the battlefield as she held aloft her trident. On command, the prongs ignited with a blue light, bolts of lightning impacted the attackers from above again and again, scattering their forces as those on the frontlines pushed them further back. Bodies littered the ground, not one of them was among the reinforcing troops.
"Cavalry's here," Dorian could not help but crack a smile to Rossweisse, they were clearly the mortal defenders of Olympus he had read about in the debriefing on Mount Olympus.
The Last Spartans, which would make the tall woman…a goddess? He did not recall the Amazons having such powers though based on her size she could certainly have been one. I'll have to ask their names.
"Are you alright my lady?" Dorian rushed to Freyja's side. She had remained behind the frontlines and had stabilized almost everyone injured that still lived.
"I am, fret not, though we lost too many of our brave warriors. How fares the battle?"
"Our men have been relieved," he reported. "The forces of Olympus arrived and are driving them back as we speak. I believe a goddess is with them though I do not recognize her. We have secured one prisoner who was a part of the ambush."
"That would be Despoina, daughter of Poseidon," a voice from seemingly nowhere informed them. The mortal army is led by Chiliarch Hecuba."
Dorian turned swordspear ready at the unexpected newcomer, but relaxed at the sight of her. She was a young woman though it was hard to tell past the skull mask she wore. She had light purple hair that fell around her hood and golden eyes; a blue robe was wrapped around her petite frame while the hood was black and white. In her arms she held a black scythe with gold lines stretching across it though the weapon was leaned back casually, clearly not in a position meant to begin a fight.
"We are most grateful," Dorian bowed towards her. Lady Freyja was still indisposed healing the wounded. "I am Dorian Held, Retainer to the Lady Freyja, Miss...?"
"Call me Bennia," she chuckled at his overly polite demeanor despite still panting from the battle. "I am here representing Lord Hades."
"A Grim Reaper, it is an honor to meet you. Shall we assist with driving back the attackers?"
"No need, knowing Despoina they are half-charbroiled by now. We realized someone had redirected your entry and hurried as fast as we could. We would have been here sooner but they had quite a few reinforcements waiting in the passes beyond in case this ambush failed. We routed them before continuing on to you."
"Then we are in you debt twice over, can we make haste for the summit? We have wounded."
Bennia nodded. "Once they are done clearing out the trash we can open a gateway there. It's the only way up unless you are into rock climbing."
"I don't know," Dorian smiled. The young Grim Reaper held a cheerful tone in her voice despite the situation that he wished to reciprocate. "It might be fun to try some time when we don't have to worry about being ambushed by an army of bull-monsters."
"I may need to take you up on that offer," she grinned back like a mischievous little kid.
Not Long After…
As the battle dwindled into the distance, Lady Freyja was able to meet with the young Grim Reaper as Despoina and Hecuba returned, their troops now more than sufficient to clear out the remaining stragglers on their own. A handful of Asgardian soldiers surrounded the unconscious harpy, her arms, and by extension wings, were chained and secure.
"I can't believe it," Rossweisse sighed as she looked over the scene. "To be attacked so soon after arriving by such a force, it is no wonder they wanted us to arrive quickly. If the ones behind this had more time to prepare…"
"Quite a welcome party they sent for us too," Dorian complimented beside her. "A Spartan warrior, a Grim Reaper and an honest to goodness goddess."
"Though it does show how little Hades cares for such events," Thrud pointed out. She had been aiding the wounded with her Sage Arts. Between her and Lady Freyja their casualties had been far fewer than they otherwise would have been.
"What do you mean?"
"Ranking in the Underworld here dictates the color of your robe," she explained. "The darker the color, the higher your status with a void-like black being the highest one can hope to achieve."
Dorian understood immediately as he eyed up Bennia's robe, it was a very light shade of blue.
So he sent one of his lower-tiered Reapers to represent him…that certainly couldn't be construed as a slap in the face.
"Thanks to you and your men," Freyja thanked Despoina and Hecuba as they approached. The goddess was spotless while Hecuba's armor was stained dark with Minotaur blood. "Hermes did not exaggerate when he advised of those seeking to bar our alliance."
"Truly," Despoina spoke, Hecuba stood to the side as if she were not permitted to reply. "I must say I was expecting more from the warriors of Asgard. Long has tales been told of your strength and valor."
Freyja remained unaffected by her biting words; Thrud on the other hand stepped forward as if to rip her head off. Only Dorian's interception prevented a scuffle.
"Even the mightiest of warriors can be brought low when unprepared Lady Despoina," he held his diplomatic mannerisms as well as he could. "Especially when equipped for peace and not war."
The daughter of the god of the sea looked him over, eyeing the young Einherjar up and down. "And you must be the retainer Bennia told us of, better than I feared, worse than I hoped."
"Thank you," he smiled, continuing his tactic of killing through kindness. Despoina did not look pleased. "And to you Chiliarch Hecuba, your troops were greatly appreciated."
The stern warrior only nodded, from her battle-worn appearance he could spot several strands of sweaty red hair protruding from her helmet but her face was otherwise obscured.
"You missed one," Despoina pointed towards the bound harpy, raising her trident menacingly.
"She is my prisoner," Dorian stepped in front of her, holding out a hand defensively. "She may be able to shed some light on the ones behind the attack."
"Harpies are mindless beasts," she asserted, tightening the grip on her weapon. "They are to be tamed or put down."
"Maybe so, but I was the one who captured her, that makes her a prisoner of Asgard. I mean no disrespect prior to our meetings together, but I insist we be allowed to question her even if it is a waste of time."
The tall woman narrowed her eyes at him in annoyance, after several tense moments she loosened her grip and lowered her trident.
"Waste your time if you like, I care not. You need not fear disrupting the meetings by disrespecting me as I was not invited to attend."
"Goddess," Hecuba interjected, her tone was short and to the point as if every word was precious. "The preparations are ready; the portal can be opened at your discretion."
"About time," she sighed. "Have your troops ready to move out."
"Pray tell," Freyja stepped up as politely as ever. "Do these terrorists have a name?"
"Only what those we have captured divulged before taking their own lives. Their reach seems to extend well beyond the simple harpy nests or Minotaur lairs. They call themselves...the Khaos Brigade."
On the precipice of a new realm, the envoy of Asgard faced destruction only averted by the timely arrival of the Greek gods and their army. With safe passage assured, is the peace so sought after still in reach? As always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D