Issei ODR: Lol, Kuroka is a fun character. I was a big fan of how canon handled her pre-Issei harem. Yep, Yasaka will be coming soon. If you mean the elder gods when you mean external, yes. I do intend them to be a growing part, especially later on.
FateBurn: Thank you.
runelt99: I don't recall mentioning that recently, only that it won't be a ridiculous sized one like canon ;)
Gan315: I am glad you enjoyed the mix of filler and character development. You know, I wondered the same of Yasaka's husband myself. He hasn't been mentioned in the slightest in canon...could be alive or dead for all we know lol. You betcha, Iggy's Dress Make will be coming in handy. I hope the wait to this chapter wasn't too long :D
King0fP0wers: World War Perv XD And I am glad you caught that about the cloning being done in the series later by Qlippoth...their research had to start somewhere ;) I will admit, I agree with how weak the Youkai seemed in canon. Kunou's guards, presumably among their best, couldn't even touch Issei, Irina and Xenovia in battle. It's funny you mention wanting a youkai OC...there is a reason I mentioned the name of one of Yasaka's bodyguards last chapter ;)
Spectrvs: That truly means a lot you recommended my story so highly :D To answer your first question, yes I do plan Iggy to act as a sort of go-between between Ddraig and Albion. Both as a peacekeeper and to help them with certain issues...such as Ddraig's shame lol. Oh yes, I do intend to go a bit deeper into Kunou's father and his passing. Nothing too huge, but enough to show a bit of how they were and the impact of his death. I always found it odd that he is not mentioned in the slightest in canon. And yes ;) I do intend there to be a link between Azazel's reasons for wanting to clone and Qlippoth later. I felt it was a link too important to pass up. I hope to improve the youkai if even a bit, you stay safe too man! :D
OBSERVER01: They definitely never thought they'd be fighting an army of even more perverted Isseis lol. I do agree, Cao Cao certainly needs some comeuppance for what he does...
fanficcyberman: Lol, thank you and I have actually considered art of Rat in that outfit...maybe someday :D I am always red from ear to ear with your praise. Keeping development moving forward, even in filler or downtime chapters I feel is a necessity. No self-contained development that is forgotten later XD Everyone here has been doing great and you stay safe too! :)
ahsoei: It's about time ;)
reality deviant: It was a short story called 300 Issei from the 8th volume of the Light Novel, no anime adaptation yet.
guest1: Exactly, if used right Sacred Gear cloning could be useful but if used wrong, BIG trouble. It is 1 step towards the eventual artificial gears we see in canon. Lol, your idea for dress make is one I do plan to implement...inappropriate clothes coming out they can't control LOL, Iggy has been busy. Kassumi being found out? *glances left and right awkwardly* I have no idea what you are talking about... XD As for your answer to Rat, it's 50/50. At the start I set up since he's ethereal he can just make outfits for himself that are all appearance no substance which is what his Spartan Gear was. Going forward, however, Iggy will be lending him some outfits lol.
theLawbringer: XD That got me laughing LOL, I hoped my transition wasn't TOO ham-fisted.
Slayer Cross: Yep, not much longer to the Kyoto arc, just 1 more downtime chapter then it's off to the class trip! I am so glad you're enjoying it, and not to worry...Thrud will get there sooner than you may think...
Critias204: Not long now, 1 more downtime chapter before the train trip. I hope you enjoy it and you stay safe as well my friend!
firestarter1188: I am sorry you feel that way, but um...you did see the scene at the end where he said he'd stop cloning and Rossweisse annihilated him with a room full of seals right? lol
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW! :D
"Oh, hi Ravel," Issei greeted their unexpected guest on the cool fall morning. The young Phenex daughter had appeared seeking an audience with Rias Gremory, one she was more than willing to allow. She explained her situation within the meeting room calmed by the soothing aroma of Akeno's tea.
"So, he still hasn't recovered?" Rias asked with an understanding nod. She had seen Riser last when he had lost to Issei, his face warped in confusion and frustration. Losing to one he saw as so low had clearly cut him deep.
"It's embarrassing!" the blonde devil huffed trying to act angrier than she felt. "He has been shut up in his room for the last six months barely coming out for anything! He hasn't fought in a single rating game and the papers are starting to say such terrible things about him!"
Ravel's brother, Riser Phenex, had been among the biggest up and coming devils in the Rating Game having gone his entire life without losing a fight. That all ended when Issei Hyoudou six months past, as Dorian grappled with Modi, had fought him to break Rias out of an unwanted arranged marriage. Not just losing, but to a low-class devil had sent him into a spiral from which he had not yet recovered. His sister worked to pick up the pieces as best she could but finally had enough, looking to the ones who had caused the turmoil to rectify it.
"He's even terrified of dragons! Mention them once and he shuts himself away for days without eating!"
"Then why come here?" Catherine asked. All of Rias' peerage were present, she and Honda being the most out of the loop having never seen Riser before joining. "Would our involvement not make it worse?"
"Mother told me," she tried to explain, her polite demeanor growing quiet and more timid each time she looked at Issei. "That he needs to get his nerve back, his…spirit."
"Spirit you say?" The entire peerage subtly glanced at Issei now fully aware why she had come. Say what you would about his goals and motivation, if there was anyone who ran purely on spirit, it was the Red Dragon Emperor. "We have some experience in that field."
"Then you can knock some sense into him!" She blurted out, using Rias' offer to save face instead of outright asking for help. "He needs to get out of this slump and stop bringing down the name of Phenex."
"Don't worry Ravel," Issei suddenly grew more serious as he sometimes did when his confidence soared. "The President and I will think of something, you don't have to shoulder this alone anymore."
"Lord Issei," her eyes seemed to shine with a clear interest in him she had garnered ever since witnessing his victory over her brother. Up until that point, she had thought Riser invincible and seeing that was not so had lit a fire in her chest not even her wings could match. "Thank you."
"Fixing a mind is not as easy as the body," Rias pointed out. "I am afraid your tears won't work here," she referred to the miraculous substance created by the Phenex Clan which could heal any known bodily injury almost instantly. It was how her clan had grown to such prestige selling it to other devil families. "We can go see him…see how bad it is."
At the Tower…
"So, two eggs and mix?" Bennia stood in the kitchen of the Hyoudou residence wearing a white apron. A huge mixing bowl filled with ingredients was balanced in her hands, the teenage reaper carefully stirring while trying not to spill its contents.
"Don't forget the dash of vanilla extract," Hecuba warned her fully aware she would otherwise. "Once it is creamy enough, we can pour it and put them in the oven."
"And you promise this is normal food?" Hecuba glared sideways at Bennia for that, she pretended not to notice.
"If by 'normal' you mean only using ingredients swimming with sugar and sweets, then yes." As frustrating as it was, the giddy look of joy on her teammates face was contagious. "The cake will be ready, and we can put it away until Dorian gets back."
"I'm glad he didn't ask us to go, the Dragon Mountains…doesn't sound very appealing."
"I hope it doesn't take too long," Hecuba eased the pan into the oven once the batter had settled. "From the sound of it this Riser Phenex was in bad shape, asking for help so soon to our departure for the trip doesn't leave much time. What is so funny?"
"Nothing," Bennia recomposed herself having let out a soft chuckle halfway through the Spartan's statement. "I think I'm really liking this, ya know, simple stuff. Sure, we have missions to show we can work together and junk, but everything is so…nice."
"It is," she admitted. "All the people we have met with more coming," she pictured Zepar moving into his room the previous night. "We never would have gotten to see all we have back home, and all that is to come."
"Especially not in the Underworld," Bennia flipped her wrist nonchalantly. "Superior this and inferior that, it was NOT a good work environment. They really needed a suggestion box. But looky here, I am actually cooking something!"
"Baking technically."
"Making my own food, I won't have to worry about starving to death with your healthy glop!"
Hecuba's eye twitched noticeably, her composure fracturing as it often did around the dark-blue robed woman. Her skill at bringing out such a side in her was impressive.
"Well if SOMEONE wasn't such a picky eater, you wouldn't have as hard a time at it!" Her mitts were tossed across the counter like hockey players discarding their gloves in the face of an opponent.
"I've survived sixteen years with this chosen taste palette!" Bennia returned fire. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I can avoid poisoning that way."
"Poison? I won a competition as a little girl In Olympus!"
"How? Did the other contestants mysteriously become ill?" Hecuba seized her by her robe, Bennia gripping her apron threateningly in return. Sparks fired between them short-circuiting the nearby blender.
"It's almost time!" Gasper rushed through the kitchen heedless of the two friends gripping the other. "I didn't know anyone else was a fan!"
"It is one of my favorite shows," Seekvaira confirmed as she followed behind, noticing the pair but deciding it was best to feign ignorance. "The design of the mechas is very close to some of our own technology, so close we actually investigated if any devils were involved in the production. If I may ask…what are you wearing?"
"Oh this?" The half-vampire spun with a smile. "It's a kilt Mr. Dorian gave me, isn't it the best? I even got the rest of it," he adjusted a plaid sash across his chest that was just a bit too big for his small frame. "I got a few more of them including these belts, did you know they come in different styles?"
Gasper had grown since moving into the Hyoudou house, the others could have even sworn he was a little taller. Much like Asia, Issei's parents had really taken to the young man and how adorable he looked. Even without the memory adjustment for them to disregard his pale complexion and ears, he had become a welcome member of the family which had done wonders for his confidence and self-esteem.
The grim reaper and Spartan watched them pass, bodies unmoving save for their eyes. Only after they had gone by and plopped on the couch did the two look at each other and proceed to burst out into fits of giggles, they looked utterly ridiculous.
"Why can't I stay angry at you?" Hecuba mused as she released her grip. "Factor in Gasper and it's impossible to be mad."
"The power of positive thinking," Bennia explained. "Thought you could use some after what you've gone through the last few weeks."
"I…" Hecuba didn't know how to respond. It was true she still blamed herself for the events of Baldur's death and Loki's attack despite Freyja's forgiveness, however she had done her best to hide such insecurities. Much of her time was spent researching the Hero Faction and other descendants such as herself with little time to relax. "Thank you, does nothing escape you?"
"Me and the boss," she grinned back, wrapping an arm around her shoulder cheerily.
Just be yourself around her a bit more than usual, she recalled Dorian's words before he headed out to the Dragon Mountains at Rias' sudden request. She could use it.
"He's pretty sharp, more than he tries to let on. Come on let's go watch it, the show is so wholesome you'll get more sweets than anything we could cook!"
"Bake." Hecuba corrected her again out of habit with her heart a little lighter than before. "And that sounds quite nice, shall we…oh, you have mail."
Bennia peeked over her shoulder spotting a letter atop the pile of daily mail they received between the tower and Issei's home. With her usual spunk she floated over Hecuba to retrieve it, spinning the envelope over to read the front. Hecuba blinked at the sudden shift in her friend's demeanor. For the first time since they had met, her smile plummeted, contorting into a stretched frown with her jaw dropping open only a bit as if in shock. Without missing a beat, the letter disappeared into her cloak, the smile reforming but with no substance behind it. She wasn't fooling her.
"Oof, gonna have to take a rain check," she hovered off towards the tower. "I think I need to reinforce the anti-perv mines. You can never be too careful!"
"What wa…?" Hecuba went to ask but didn't get the chance, the normally jubilant grim reaper vanishing in a burst of light. "Bennia, what happened?"
Within the Roads…
"Why me…why me," Riser Phenex muttered weakly as he was carried like a sack over Dorian's shoulder. He was bound from head to toe in Gleipnir's chains from which even his fire could not easily break. He was so mentally drained that he barely put up a fight, giving up at the first resistance.
This is the youngest son to the renowned Phenex family? Dorian puzzled. Between meeting the refined firecracker that was his little sister Ravel and hearing of how prestigious his family was for their power he had expected something different.
He has seen better days.The pity in Despoina's voice was palpable. I hope this endeavor can help, if not, I know a few training regimens Hecuba used to put her troops through.
He had been going over classroom itineraries when he got the request from Rias feeling so serious, he could not help but accept her invitation. When they'd reached the manor, they found his peerage outside Riser's room banished per his orders. He would allow no guests even after learning of Rias' arrival. He opened the door, but the Einherjar feared he would have a heart attack at seeing Issei's presence, fleeing back to his bed unwilling to leave. Even after an inspiring yet fruitless verbal berating from Ravel, they had been forced to drag him from his room with a single plan in mind.
"Why do I have to go to the Dragon Mountains?" He wailed again utterly against their plan. "I can't go there! No more dragons, I've had my fill!"
"Would you rather go to Jotunheim? That was my offer, but Rias insisted we keep it related to dragons," Riser paled even further at that. "We'll be there in no time," Dorian attempted to placate his passenger. "The Roads are far faster than flying or teleportation, relatively speaking to normal time…long story. Tannin will be waiting to train with you and Issei to…"
"NO!" His scream caused his sister and Issei at the head of their group to jump in surprise. "Not the dragon devil Tannin!"
"STOP SCREAMING!" Dorian's shout did its job though he felt horrible after at Riser's terrified expression. "Look," he calmed down as best he could to a gentle tone. "You can't just give up after one defeat. I get you were undefeated before, but one loss isn't the end of the world. I got throttled by Thrud and nearly had my chest caved in the first day in Asgard."
"It's not the same," the devil phoenix seemed to have calmed down somewhat. "I was the pinnacle of my family's power; the one meant to continue the line and strengthen our ties like never before. Rias' hand was mine to have and I lost it all; my fiancé, my pride, my prestige to a low-class devil who hadn't even won a single Rating Game!"
Not full of himself at all…
"Or the time a vampire kicked my ass, Kokabiel was really tough, even before all of that I got chased off by a walking plant!" The last one seemed to catch Riser's attention a bit if only out of confusion. "My point is, you can't win em all, you will get beat down and when you do you pick yourself up and go at it again. Hel, they should have reserved a room for me at the hospital considering all the times I woke up in one of their beds."
He held up his right arm, the flesh splitting apart to reveal the intricate mechanisms within. Riser's eyes widened realizing what he meant having lost even a limb to battle. The shock value silenced any planned retorts from the Phenex champion. He was still sniffling, but at least he wasn't screaming anymore. Ravel mouthed a silent "thank you," for calming him down. How long that would last once face to face with true dragons was anyone's guess. Dorian would be on standby to get them home quickly, however the training would fall upon Issei, Ravel and the dragons.
Three days, how can we help him find his confidence again in only three days? Rias said to expect company on the third but what did that mean? I hope Iggy is having fun, she hasn't gotten to talk with her mother at length in quite a while. I hope she can venture far enough; it was then Dorian put his arms around himself shivering only a little. In that moment a cold thought passed through the back of his mind unbidden, a sudden desire to keep Iggy safe and pray that she would never come to harm when separated from him. Maybe she can help…
"Ms. Ravel! Can we take a left up here? I just had an idea on who can help out with training. "She was one of the first to show me the ropes in fact…"
Not Far…
"If only we could remain here," Iggy remarked as she sat on the edge of a log. Her mother stood behind, gently combing her hair while as she told her stories. She relished time alone with her daughter, seldom getting to see her in person. "Did you hear I created a new armor for Dorian? When I mastered the Olympian magic, thanks to Despoina, everything just clicked."
"You have gone so far little one," she soothed with her calming voice, despite managing her own corner of creation she acted as if nothing could weigh upon her mind. "I stopped at the nine realms, yet you have traveled to so many new places. Those paths are just as much yours as they are mine."
"I can only open the door and lead the way," she smiled humbly. "The paths connecting are your branches."
"For now," she patted Iggy's head at her head tilt of confusion. "You are young, I wandered the nine realms after their creation in the earliest times. After a while, however, I rooted here and grew. Who knows, your branches may be even grander than mine."
"I'd…rather not," her daughter's previous spunk and energy died as she grew meeker, glancing away. "I want to keep traveling, seeing new places, finding new knowledge."
"As you should, but all journeys end eventually. Take all the time you need; with that young man I surmise you will go far and see much if not all there is." Iggy fidgeted a bit at the mention of traveling with Dorian, Yggdrasil could not help but tease her a bit. "You speak of him so often."
Iggy had been unable to speak with Dorian when he was born, not until his match against Modi could he truly reply to her. Only her distant connection to her mother gave the young woman some company, speaking to her across the realms as she resided deep within his consciousness. As a result, she had spoken much of his life, his highs and lows, what she loved and hated about him with the former always outnumbering the latter, Yggdrasil knew it all. Since learning to manifest herself as an independent avatar Iggy had met the others and considered all her sisters and friends but would ever be by Dorian's side.
"You wish to learn so much," Yggdrasil's tone shifted to one of intent. "Yet not even your own name?" Iggy tensed up, fighting the desire to flee that often overtook her when the topic passed her mind.
"I-I am Laerad Ragnarok, the Betrayer of Ragnaro…"
"That is a title, not a name, if we counted all of mine the others will reach their destination and be done before we finish. I would not have had a daughter without giving a name, whatever the situation of how you came to be. I cherish your time here with me," she motioned down to the dress and bonnet she now wore, both made by Iggy. "But please do not hide away here."
"But," she stopped trying to hide her hesitation knowing her mother could see through it. "What if I don't want to go where that name would be found?"
"You want to go everywhere don't you?" She turned her own dreams back upon her before cupping her head in a gentle embrace. "Take the time you need, but never let fear hold you back. Come, we best keep moving. The others will be reaching the Dragon Mountain's shortly, another path built thanks to you."
"How can you tell?"
"NOOO!" The wail of Riser reached them even so far from the group. "You can't make me!"
"Call it a hunch," she winked coyly with a spark in her eyes Iggy recognized. "You keep Dorian happy now, so far from his beloved Valkyrie, you will have so much time to…talk."
"MOTHER!"
Asgard…
"Of course, of course, bring them in!" Odin announced to Heimdallr with a flourish of his arms. He who saw all within Asgard and watched for intrusions bowed, allowing their guests to enter. You old bastard, it's good you made it, last time we went to your home, this time we are the hosts."
"And your city is as bright as I remember," Zeus, head of the Greek Pantheon complimented. He was followed by Michael from Heaven and Serafall standing as the head of the foreign relations of Hell. "The feast was most enjoyable."
"You are always welcome," Freyja attempted a more cordial greeting than her husband was possible of providing. "I can hardly recall a time our people were thriving so greatly; it is part of our alliance this is possible."
Freyja's smile widened at the thought, she had meant every word. Before the summit at Olympus their people had been on a slow decline over the centuries into more than a millennium as their way of life had slowly ebbed from the people of Midgard, Earth. Since the exchange of knowledge and information, however, that had steadily begun to change. Devil women, angels from both Heaven and Earth had adopted Valkyrie training, summoning teachers from Asgard to assist. This had spread, granting new attention that fed the gods and in-turn the realms themselves. The days of yore seemed to be coming again without wholly losing their way of life.
"That is most appreciated," Michael returned the friendly tone, it was where he was most comfortable. "It is true that many angels of the feminine persuasion have eagerly wished to learn from your Valkyries to form our own similar order. Would the Ms. Rossweisse be available to tutor a generation or two of them?"
"You are talking to the wrong god," Odin interjected. "That fetching creature has not been in my employ for some time. Being a member of the Crossroads now, you will need to speak with Mr. Held. I wouldn't hold my breath; such training would require her undivided attention for longer than he would like I am sure."
The Allfather started to cackle quickly joined by Zeus and Serafall, Michael and Freyja awkwardly glancing between one another. Their expressions normalized before the others could notice their mutual embarrassment.
"In any case," Serafall Leviathan returned the conversation to the matter at hand. "The foreign affairs department hasn't been so busy in ages. I have more work than ever in the best way I almost don't have enough time for fun. That does bring up a worry of ours…"
"Many Grigori leaders have voiced concern at the worry of additional traitors in their ranks. Even discounting Kokabiel, Forcas, and the entire Old Satan Faction, the Khaos Brigade is getting more information on us. Combining our resources can bolster our forces against them, but also makes it easier for spies to slip through," Michael sighed with regret. "Even we are not immune, it seems God's system isn't as fool-proof without him. We discovered several angels who were sending information yet did not fall due to the purity of their belief in what they were doing."
"We had our share as well," Freyja remembered Loki's machinations even claiming a son of Thor. "But it is my firm belief the benefits outweigh the risks. Together we will crush them, whatever their plans may be."
"I wouldn't have agreed as strongly," Zeus spoke up next. "Were it not for the Crossroads performing so well as they have. Members from each of us and more, yet their cohesion is…inspiring. Mr. Held has not disappointed since he kneeled before my throne nor have any of his companions. Percelos still speaks of how Hecuba's presence is missed. How so many can be drawn together is astounding and whatever relationships they have formed, Mr. Held seems to be the focal point."
"Dorian has that effect on others," Freyja sipped her tea from a High King sponsored mug adorned with Dorian's face with pride.
"You raised him well in the relatively short time he was here," Michael's compliment drew an unintended blush from the Allmother's cheeks.
"And with a fallen angel among their ranks, they have one member of each alliance mythology," Serafall cheerfully pointed out. "We have full representation!"
"And more to seek out," Odin finally got to the point. "There are other mythology's people not part of our talks who assuredly have Khaos Brigade within their ranks either out in the open or in secret. Hindu, Youkai, Shinto, Arabic to say nothing of the vestiges of more ancient groups like your own Zeus."
"Azazel mentioned Indra," Michael raised a hand at mention of the Hindu mythology, one of the stronger in terms of the power of their individual gods. The Grigori Governor-General could not make the meeting while preparing for the excursion to Kyoto but trusted his former brother in Heaven to work with their best interests at heart. "He was quite uncomfortable about our Mr. Held when last discussed."
"Of course he would be," Odin slapped a knee relishing every moment. "The smug bastard doesn't like anything he can't control or predict. I surmise Dorian's odd immunity to time-based magic extends to his predicting abilities. See how he likes being like the rest of us unable to see the future without outside help."
Not counting our little aces, Freyja thought of the Mimir scholars or Fates who could foretell doom to come, however vague and uncertain their predictions sounded. They couldn't see Dorian's arrival either, he was never in any predictions.
"That can be the pull we need to bring his people to the table," Serafall announced. "Without the ability to guess things for himself, Indra will need other venues of information. Cooperation may finally seem viable to him."
"Until then," Freyja agreed, "we must focus on who we may for the time being. It just so happens that a little trip is coming up that may facilitate our friendship with the Youkai and Shinto clans of Kyoto even faster than we anticipated. You especially will be needed for this Lady Serafall…"
Dragon Mountains, three days later…
"Why must I suffer like this?" Riser called out as he scaled a sleek wall of ice, his wings forbidden from use to be blasted off each time he tried to take flight.
"You will persevere!" A hulking bipedal dragon towering over the Phenex devil roared like a brash drill instructor. "Even surviving in these mountains is a testament to strength! Keep moving forward to regain that drive that had me so interested in your exploits before!"
"Lift those legs!" A familiar giantess scaling the wall alongside him with the greatest of ease bellowed. "Enemies will come in all shapes, this wall is no different from a dragon! Push past it and break through to the other side!"
"I haven't slept in over a day!" Riser complained, his tears half-freezing to his face.
"Will your foes let you take a nappie?" Ygritte mocked while pushing further ahead. "Give you some cocoa and ham before taking on a fight? You never know when or where conflict will spring up, my dear Ragnar once stayed awake for a week on a hunt. NOW CLIMB FASTER!"
Ygritte welcomed her former temporary protégé Dorian with open arms as he had emerged from the Roads to ask her help. Hearing the plight of the Phenex champion, a fate she saw as torment for any warrior, she set aside her tasks for the next few days to accompany them. Between her harsh training and Tannin's regimen, they were working double time on the young devil.
"Well…he is getting better," Dorian had to admit as the distant explosions reached his ears. "He hasn't stopped complaining, it's normal though. When I first had to go through Jotunheim I nearly killed Rat a dozen times out of frustration and Ygritte really helped prepare me for Modi."
"And I was the same when I came here first with Old Man Tannin," Issei confirmed as he took a bite of the pancake in front of him, speaking with his mouth full. "He is handling it better even if he doesn't realize it. These are really good!"
The three were seated at a very out of place looking table like one found outside cafés complete with a parasol adorned with the crest of Phenex. Ravel had accompanied them to the mountains while bringing the amenities of home with her, including the means to cook an impressive breakfast of pancakes and tea. The swirling winds of the Dragon Mountains had made enjoying the first pleasant breakfast in days difficult, prompting Dorian to create a wall of ice around them blocking out the gales.
"Why thank you!" Ravel blushed practically glowing at Issei's compliment. "The dragons gave me most of the ingredients, if it weren't for Mr. Held's Roads to stop at home I would have been forced to substitute some which just wouldn't do. I was quite happy with how they turned out."
Dorian nodded enthusiastically, unable to speak with a mouthful of pancake.
"I get the pancakes made by a noble, not bad," the Red Dragon grinned cheekily. "I still have those tears you gave me at the summit," he recalled her gift shortly before Loki's attack. "I'm saving them for something truly important but never got a chance to thank you for that."
"W-well of course you should be grateful!" Ravel fell back on her haughty attitude, tilting her nose up proudly. "You should feel honored to taste the food I woke up so early in the morning to make. Those tears were just some we had to spare..."
You don't say? Dorian turned to grin unable to control himself at how hard Ravel was trying to impress Issei while not overtly showing it. It was utterly adorable. Ten to one odds those tears came from her personally.
"Thank you, Mr. Held," he took note of her more professional tone with him while calling Issei by his first name. "And your assistance in this has been appreciated. Perhaps we can open talk with trading Phenex Tears for your team's use?"
"That would be a great gift ma'am," he tipped his cup towards her before taking another sip. "Though I am afraid we won't be able to make use of them in Rating Games."
"I hear talk that exceptions are being made to allow outsiders to compete someday," she informed him with a certain excitement in her voice. "When that day comes, I will expect you to compete, it's only fair."
"Deal, you have my word. It sounds like fun; I've seen so many since my exhibition against Seek…"
A familiar screeching drew their attention as a shimmering raven circled overhead. Glancing up, a set of soft gold eyes encompassed Skilja's vision.
"Bennia?" Dorian recognized the spheres. "Sorry, I need to take this," he politely excused himself with a dab of his napkin before taking his leave. Departing the enclosed interior into the raging winds, a pinch of worry jabbed at his chest knowing the team was aware of where he would be the next three days.
"You got up early to make these?" Issei asked Ravel before he left the wind-proof construct.
"D-don't think too much on it! I just got up early on a whim is all!"
"Bennia, hey," Dorian called out as the child of Odin's ravens landed before him. To his absolute amazement, in a flash of light and sound Bennia herself appeared before him. She was see-through like a hologram but solid enough to make out all her details and expressions. "That is so much handier since Skilja learned to do that," he gushed, having seen the older ravens perform such a skill. "Are…are you okay?"
"Not really," she admitted, her glum expression setting off red flags with Dorian instantly being so out of character for her. "I got a letter shortly after you left…from my dad."
Orcus, Dorian recalled her father's name from the information provided when she joined the Crossroads. Being a grim reaper, he had tried especially familiarizing himself with their numbers considering the seething disdain Hades had for him since Olympus. He had not forgotten the Einherjar's escape from Elysium. I got a bad feeling about this.
"What did the letter say? If I may ask."
"I wouldn't be here if you couldn't boss-man," her continued use of the nickname between them was refreshing she could still joke. "He wants me to come home to Olympus immediately."
Dorian's face contorted with worry at the possibility of her departure. "Why? Didn't he approve of you joining the Crossroads?"
"That's the thing, he didn't voice anything against it," Bennia looked conflicted as she paced, controlling Skilja's form as if it was her own. "He and mom gave their full blessings. They were no strangers to how I felt about Hades."
"Do…you want to go?" He tried to restrain his preference for her staying in case it was her choice. "If there is anything that has gone wrong or something happened at home…"
"NO!" Her answer was instantaneous, stepping closer to Dorian with renewed vigor. "Even if I hated the tower, it would be better than working for Hades. The spite to anyone outside himself, I hated it!" Dorian leaned back, realizing she needed to vent, he was more than willing to accommodate. "I've never regretted joining, even when we looked like we were going to bite it against Loki or the Old Satan fogies. I will admit in Olympus I did mostly join to get away from Hades, no offense."
"None taken."
"But…you guys are like a family, Hecuba, Irina, Thrud the big sis I never had, Rossweisse's trust in you at Olympus was what made me want to know you. It's not every day you see someone throw themselves at certain death to save others. Even if we stand at the end of the world, I'd want to be there with you."
Dorian half stepped forward to hug her, forgetting she was not truly there as his hands passed through the spunky grim reaper akin to a little sister he imagined having. Bennia grew a mischievous smile of entertainment seeing what he tried to do but failed miserably.
"I-if that is the case, why do you look so nervous?"
"Because the only reason I can think father would want me home is he thinks something bad is going to happen to the Crossroads."
Dorian's breath caught in his throat; the winds having grown ominously silent at her words as if they could sense the trepidation both felt.
"Your father knows something we don't?" Bennia nodded.
"If Hades is involved, he'd never betray him, but despite all that he's a good dad. He wants me out of the firing zone, badly. He actually said I could have a promotion away from his boss if I came back."
Damn, what could be going on? Is Bennia right? There was no way to be sure, but Bennia's expression made it painfully obvious she believed it with all her being.
"Do what you need to Bennia," Dorian tried to think what would be best for the situation. While he saw her as family, he'd never want her safety risked needlessly. "I know many would be sad to see you go, me being one of them, but whatever may be coming we'll face it together. If nothing else, I promise you that."
"Darn right!" Her upbeat nature broke through her uncertainty. "What would you guys do without me? And Xenovia is teaching me a few sword tricks I can try with my scythe; she'd be so disappointed if I dropped out early. Millicas's face if I didn't say hi every now and then would kill me. And Hecuba," she grinned wider at the name. "I followed your orders to the letter; I think she needed it."
"Thank you for that."
"Well, I think the cuddles are sufficiently out," Bennia bounced a little in place at the silence with nothing more to say. "Have fun getting that chicken finger's confidence back, we'll be seeing you soon!"
"You will?" Dorian looked confused.
"Yea! Rias came to us this morning and just invited everyone out to the Dragon Mountain's natural hot spring! We'll be there by nightfall, no peeking," she winked before shimmering out of existence leaving Skilja sitting upon the ice pecking at it as if expecting food.
A hot spring? That sounds enjoyable. As long as Issei doesn't hear about it, things should be relatively…
"A HOT SPRING?" The echoing sound of joy rose above the raging winds and storms as Ravel had expressed the upcoming visit from the mostly female teams in just a few hours. Dorian sighed heavily.
Oh great…well tonight won't be uneventful I imagine. I'll need a plan.
Dragon Mountain Hot Spring…
"So Issei defeated Riser in single combat?" Thrud asked as she discarded her casual clothes. Laying her fur cloak within a locker, she stepped naked along with the others into the washroom. The warmth enveloped her bare skin, causing an exhalation at the free feeling.
"To break off my engagement, yes," Rias finished recounting her tale of their first encounter with Riser Phenex and his peerage. They had fought to free Rias from the unwanted marriage, losing the official Rating Game in the process. All the same, Issei challenged Riser to single combat after the fact, besting him with help from an incomplete Balance Breaker as well as some impromptu strategy. "It was only a few months ago."
"That would have been when we were still in Asgard," Rossweisse confirmed the timelines. "When Dorian faced Modi." She had already told the story to the others during some girl's nights in the tower. "I believe they were around the same time, right Thrud?"
"Right after Dorian's first hunt, exactly," she answered with a short tone, taking a seat on the other side of the room. Rossweisse couldn't be certain, but she worried her friend was avoiding her. She would never call her out in such a crowd, however as the women of both Rias' peerage and the Crossroads were gathered. Kiba, Gasper and Zepar were on the other side of the wall soaking in their own pool. Honda had joined them, a sight many wanted to see on how a suit of armor would enjoy the springs.
"A wonderful tale to tell," Ygritte agreed. The giantess had made her way to the spring after hearing of the other's arrival. With the training done for the day, she relished the chance to soak as she so enjoyed back home. "I taught him everything he knows," she bragged while lowering into the water, the level rising noticeably around her muscular frame towering over the others by double their height.
"So, your Einherjar faced a son of Thor while my pawn fought a Phenex prodigy? What an interesting year it has been for both of us." The silver Valkyrie and crimson heiress shared a giggle between them, each thinking towards their respective love. Rias suddenly turned a little shy, like her next question was not so simple as it sounded. "How ever did you two end up together?"
"That…" Rossweisse started while sinking into the bath a little bit out of embarrassment. "…is a long story."
"Are we safe up here?" Irina glanced out across the mountainous landscape stretching on in the distance as Rossweisse recounted their tale prior to traveling to Kuoh. "I heard how dangerous these lands could be."
"According to Akeno, there is a barrier surrounding us for the wild dragons," Xenovia remarked while dropping a bucket of warm water over her head. "The others are sleeping in a cave many miles from here and based on their personality types and past history none of the men in the opposing bath will peep." She sighed just a little disappointed Kiba wouldn't do so for her. "How I would love to train in such a place."
"It's all yours," Koneko unveiled her tail and ears, an act that left her supremely relaxed. "Spending a month here is NOT something I plan to repeat." She recalled her sparring sessions with Sirzechs' rook Surtr Second, being one of the strongest hand to hand combatants she'd ever met. Despite all her training and improvement, she couldn't touch him.
"You can train with me every day little sis," Kuroka swished her own black tail playfully as she appeared behind her, towel scrubbing her back. "That is what a big sister is for nya."
"You don't have to," Koneko shrugged her shoulders at the awkward show of affection. Worrying that she was up to something remained in the back of her mind, a point her big sister spotted.
"I went after you at the Gathering to take you somewhere safe. Well, here seems to be safe for us both. Dorianya trust my intentions. I just want what's best for my little sister."
Koneko grumbled in an embarrassed fashion but silently accepted the wash. Kuroka had acted closer to her than since they were little girls, despite the terrible things she had done as a rogue devil, she did seem to be making a true attempt to reconnect.
"I…suppose we can practice together," Koneko looked away to avoid Kuroka's ever-vibrant stare. "I've learned a few things with Thrud."
"More than a few!" Thor's daughter called out with a fist bump into the air. "It is true your kind takes to Sage Arts much more naturally than others. Grandmother has mastered it but not even father has delved into its secrets. Touki will greatly improve your physical gifts beyond what they already are."
"May I?" Akeno offered to wash Thrud's back as she spoke. She accepted the help, stretching as the fallen angel's soft hands melded with her skin to remove all tension. At almost regular intervals, Thrud could swear she felt sparks go across her back that felt divine.
"That can be next on the boss' list," Bennia cannon balled into the spring before the others had gotten close, paddling around with a grin of enthusiasm. "Think he'll learn every magic there is soon enough?"
"I don't see why not," Hecuba conversely to her companion slid gracefully in, letting the water run over her toned stomach. "It is not unique to a family or blood trait, if focused on I am sure Iggy could show him the technique. He has displayed amazing growth in the magic of my people in the last few days. I wonder how he did it."
"Dorian was always a fast learner," Irina leaned back with a wistful expression on her face. "I was supposed to be showing him around back in England, but he ended up tutoring me for a spell." She let out a laugh. "He's the only reason I got through Algebra…one of the best friends I've ever had."
"Speaking of Dorian, is he on the other side?" Rossweisse glanced towards the wall separating men from women. "I was surprised you asked all of us to join you here."
"No, your Einherjar has an important mission tonight," Rias' eyes gleamed with intent. "I surmised three days wouldn't be enough to knock the fear out of Riser, so I set up a contingency plan to force him to swallow that uncertainty."
"Force a change?" Rossweisse didn't quite understand.
"You didn't know Riser, but he was quite the pervert, even Issei was jealous of his relationship with his peerage though he'd never admit it out loud. How do you think he'll act at learning a plethora of bathing beauties are at the top of this mountain right now?" Rossweisse's mouth dropped open at the reveal of the Gremory heiress' cunning mind.
"And Issei will confront him due to his desire to peep without sharing thus provoking an altercation," she filled in the gaps. "That is…brilliant, but whether Riser gets over his fear of dragons to challenge him or not, one will inevitably win and make it to the mountain."
"That Ms. Rossweisse is why I needed to borrow your Dorian. Don't worry, I'll be sure to return him in near-pristine condition."
Not Far…
It should be late enough, Issei thought as he wiggled his way from his sleeping bag with absolute silence. I make it to the hot springs, get a glimpse of luscious jubblies and make it back with him none the wiser.
He glanced over to Riser's side of the cave. His temporary companion had refused to sleep near him during the cold nights huddled within the stone walls for warmth. Even from his position, Issei could see his enclosed sleeping bag facing away. It was quiet…too quiet.
Normally he's complaining almost to midnight, what could he…THAT BASTARD! Issei had crept closer to verify he was asleep only to spot the head of a rather poorly made wooden dummy stuffed into the sleep bag. Riser was gone. In a flash of light, Issei blasted from the cave in his winged Balance Breaker armor to catch up. He must have overheard Ravel talking about their trip to the springs! I have to catch him first, stop him from seeing the President's breasts, Asia's…and everyone else's. No one can see them but me!
It did not take long, so energized by the prospect of arriving too late Issei overtook Riser within minutes who had only just snuck out before him. Without warning he rammed the Rating Game prodigy, Riser's fiery wings deflecting him and bringing both to a halt in midair.
"Bastard! You were going to sneak off to the hot springs weren't you!?"
"And what if I was?" He had regained some of his haughty nature at the prospect of the prize awaiting him. "It is polite for a gentleman to peep on women when at the hot spring! You were doing the same clearly!"
"Is that the sort of thing a noble gets into?" Issei roared in challenge, delivering an empowered right hook. Riser easily maneuvered out of the way owed to years of aerial combat training. Slowly but surely, his experience and muscle memory returned honed by the days in such a harsh environment.
"Much sharper than when we last fought!" He complimented. "But you have no chance against me in an air battle. How frustrating it is that only YOU get to see Rias Gremory's breasts…I want to see them, GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Riser launched a blast of fire that Issei managed to disperse with a blow. While he was distracted, the Phenex son had ducked in below, gripping the Red Dragon Emperor by the ankle and hurtling him into a mountain.
"You're so confident already after days of complaining?" Issei shouted utterly exasperated as he freed himself from the freezing snow and rock. "And you looked down on me, you find the same strength I do from the President's breasts! Don't you have all the babes in your peerage?"
"Not just hers, you least of all can argue with my greed," he mocked with a smile. "Ravel told you they are ALL going to be there. Even Rias' Queen, Akeno was it? Her breasts are enormous, the biggest of all other than that giant warrior maiden right?" Issei froze, his blood boiling until he continued. "But also, that little nekoshou and those foreigners from the North. I hear their Valkyries have bodies of goddesses…and the daughter of Thor too. I want to see them all, everyone!"
"Like Hell!" Issei exploded with energy. "You won't get to look at them, they're mine to see alone!"
"Actually, you are both wrong."
Rainbow blasts of energy slammed into Issei and Riser simultaneously driving both into the mountainside with a crash. Groggily, the two extricated themselves from the rubble, glancing up to their new foe. Dorian Held was already arrayed in Rider's Regalia with root-forged wings and dragon qualities imbued to his armor holding him aloft. He stared down towards them with his arms crossed, an expression of disdain at their intended goal.
"Goldie!" Issei charged first prepared to knock him out of the sky. "You won't stop me, not this time!"
Dorian ducked low, leaving a seal behind for Issei to strike, a blast erupted in the dragon emperor's face and blinding him briefly. With a flip, he transitioned into a soaring uppercut augmented by Asgard's power sending Issei's vision spinning.
"Dragon Shot!" He roared, firing a charged blast at Dorian.
The Einherjar held up his shield unveiling from its hidden compartment within his bracer. To Issei's shock, a wall of Helheim ice formed over it quickly overgrown with foliage of Jotunheim melding their powers into one. Powerful as his attack was, the shield absorbed the greater portion of the blow, tilting it upwards to deflect what he could into the peak beyond. As soon as the assault was thwarted, branches from his shield lashed out, entangling Issei within their vines.
Whew, he got a few boosts before that shot. Without the ice and roots that might have hurt.
"That's that," Dorian eased the struggling pawn down. "We'll get you and Riser back to the cave and then we can…"
A blade of flame tore between them, incinerating the vines and freeing Issei from his wriggling prison. Before they could reconstitute, he flew back towards his unexpected ally looking utterly confused as to why he would help. The Phenex' wings burst anew brighter than before, drifting down to float alongside Issei.
"We may not see eye to eye," he glanced towards his former foe, gaze full of confidence and determination. "But we can both agree we must reach the mountain to view bountiful beauties before they depart, whichever of us make it. And he is the true foe of all gentlemen!"
"Huh?" Dorian raised an eyebrow utterly confused. "Who in the Hel taught you what gentlemen are like?"
"Together, then we beat each other up later?" Issei started.
"To the winner goes the spoils once he is dealt with." Riser nodded, the two acting as if they were age-old friends making a pact between brothers.
"Gentlemen united!" Riser and Issei slammed their arms together with mutual grins of respect. "He can't possibly take on both of us!"
Well, he doesn't appear to fear dragons anymore, I think even Issei looks a bit more upbeat than usual if that was even possible.
Dorian ducked as Issei rushed him with another punch, flying right into a wall of fire generated by Riser. Spinning like a whirlwind to deflect the flames, the Einherjar was wide open for a full force Dragon Shot to catch him in the back, driving him earthbound. He barely brought up his shield before Issei slammed down after him, eyes flared with motivation. If he'd more room to maneuver he could have outflanked Issei, however the firewall restricted his space, Riser engorging the flames with power.
"Issei, we were supposed to be working to fix Riser!" Dorian tried to reason with Issei to no avail. "What are you doing?"
"This goes beyond plans and missions! You stand in our way, anyone who denies us a peep is my enemy!"
Boost!
Issei's next hit impacted Dorian who stopped it again, but there was more force behind it. Another few boosts and he could get the upper hand and with Riser providing literal fire support, he was outmatched without getting serious which could grow dangerous. Dorian could see their plan as well, the fire herding him towards the far-off mountain.
They're trying to push me towards the hot spring! Even if I can stand my ground against them, if this goes on much longer, they'll get within sight range of the women! I can't play around anymore…
"He's winded, press the attack!" Riser pushed Issei forward seeing a window of weakness, the pair diving simultaneously atop the outnumbered Einherjar.
"You morons… GLEIPNIR BINDINGS!"
Hot Spring…
"Wow, the lights are gorgeous!" Irina called out at the sight of multicolored explosions far in the distance. "Do they have fireworks out here?"
"They shouldn't," Koneko recalled her time there before Sona's Rating Game. "Maybe it's a northern light effect?" Only Rias sipped her drink at the side of the spa knowing what was occurring so far away.
"May I?" Rossweisse finally ventured to the other side of the pool, sitting down beside Thrud who had let all her hair down for the night.
"Of course," Thrud shuffled a little to the side with a sigh. The steam of the Dragon Mountains was divine to the point even she felt her cares just melt away, their bare skin glistening in the light. If any could see it, they would have mistaken the group for bathing deities. Rossweisse it seemed still had some uncertainties, looking to her friend with a concerned expression. "What?"
"With Dorian, Hecuba and myself in Kyoto for the trip, you will be in charge of the tower. I hope there are no issues while we are away." She looked up into Thrud's eyes with an expression begging for information. "Any issue at all?"
"You worry too much," she winked to Rossweisse, avoiding the discussion she wished to save for later. "The place won't collapse while you guys are gone. You have fun, don't work too hard while there. You can sightsee with the rest of them, try not to burn all your money at the 200-yen shops."
"My salary from the school combined with our duties with the Crossroads have given me a surplus even with my 401K plan," Rossweisse did the math in her head taking out the sizable portion she reserved for her future. "Even with the expected gifts for Dorian and the others I can find a nice souvenir for you."
"So frivolous with your earnings," she teased, gripping her childhood friend by the shoulders acting like nothing weighed on her mind. "Why the sudden generosity?"
"I could always take a lapse in my judgement of earnings for you," Rossweisse answered honestly. "How could I do anything less? Even when I was little, there was nothing we couldn't share." The young Valkyrie couldn't be sure, but for a moment she thought she saw Thrud actually blush more than from simply the heat at those words.
Thrud has never gotten so uncomfortable about this before, what…?
"DAMN YOU EINHERJAR!"
Riser's unmistakable voice echoed through the air as a pair of projectiles impacted the hot spring, Rossweisse and Thrud barely able to move before the blast. The other women scattered for rocks, towels, shelter, anything they could to avoid the waves and prying eyes sure to follow. Their worries of Issei and Riser appeared unfounded as they realized what the first projectile had been. A mass of chains the exact height of Riser and Issei wriggled in vain in the water. From within, the muffled cries for freedom of the Red Dragon Emperor and Phenex Clan Prodigy cursed Dorian's name and his loyalties to mankind. The two were chained from head to toe including their vision in Gleipnir being unable to break it. Neither could hope to catch even a glimpse of the bathing women with more than a few hiding behind Ygritte who felt no need to cover up.
"H-hi Rose," Dorian sheepishly muttered as he analyzed the situation he'd found himself in.
With Issei and Riser teamed up against him, the Einherjar had resolved to bind them within Gleipnir to pacify them. It had worked; however, the pair still had enough momentum to drag him down from the air. At last his wings had failed him, sending the trio plummeting into the very spring he had tried to avoid, to his relief the chains held, preventing the peep show they sought. Unfortunately, he now found himself atop Rossweisse, his armor shattered from the crash landing and he was in his soaking wet tunic and jeans clinging to his toned form. His love on the other hand was utterly naked, his knee between her legs with one hand supporting himself on the ground looming over her. His other hand was plastered squarely upon a voluptuous breast, fingers melting into her flesh with the greatest of ease.
"D-Dorian," she blushed madly. "Wh-what are you…?" She gasped loudly, unable to finish her sentence just staring up into his eyes not seeking to push him off. She had nearly forgotten how many were around them watching. "Y-you can be a bit gentler…"
Dorian's eyes shot down; his hand still pressed against her breast. He could feel the nipple beneath though his brain was already uncertain how to proceed. He had seen her naked before of course going back to that day in the Olympus baths, however he had not been so close. The only times he had been near her in such a situation were in Elysium or his dreams. Even their first night in the bed together she had not been so...bare. He could feel her quickening heartbeat, hot breath reaching his skin, even the nipple hardening beneath his touch. They were visible to all yet none would say a word to interrupt the moment, Kuroka being pinned down by Hecuba, Bennia and Koneko to prevent any funny business. Ygritte on the other hand just grinned from ear to ear, silently chanting for him to continue.
"Oh Dorian," Irina watched through slitted fingers promising to look away, but she couldn't. Such a situation was deemed sinful outside of marriage. Even knowing that full well, she could not look away from her friend who looked far more fit than she recalled.
"I didn't mean to…I…"
"Everyone!" Kiba burst through the entryway separating the Hot Spring halves followed closely by Gasper and Zepar with his sword drawn, the angel's wings unfurled and Gasper's eyes glowing. The men were all completely naked except for Gasper, the others having sacrificed their modesty in the name of speed. "We heard the explosion, what happened…to…"
All thought of protecting the women from the unknown attackers fled his mind as he locked with the room of naked women, only a few having retrieved towels in time. Xenovia was not one of them, the azure-haired swordswoman waving with a smile to the man who had caught her eye. She had no qualms against his seeing her and looked him up and down thoroughly while she had the chance. Similarly, Zepar's jaw had become affixed to the floor at seeing Akeno across the way beside a still-nude Rias. There were no secrets left between them that day.
"Ara ara," she spoke with a coy tone. "How chivalrous of you men. Shall we reward you for your diligence?"
"I-I'm sorry!" Gasper shouted first at seeing the mistake made. "We won't remember a thing!"
It was too late, Irina in a fit of embarrassment fired the first shot, a barrage of empty tubs, brushes and other assorted bathing implements sailed through the air to pelt the men into a retreat. Gasper tried to freeze time but an accurately thrown towel robbed him off his sight as Kiba caught the first tub in the gut. The entire room had gone into damage control, finally retrieving some modesty while the mayhem soared to new heights. It only got worse as Ygritte saw the fun to be had, ripping a whole bench from the wall to play along. Honda, who had been immune to the smaller projectiles was picked clean off its feet from her throw.
As the others were distracted, Dorian had remained unmoving atop Rossweisse torn between not wanting the moment to end and realizing how horribly inappropriate a time it was for such thoughts. All the same, Rossweisse had not moved herself, a hand on his arm only tightening as if asking him to stay. They both knew it was not to be, however.
"I should go," he finally recovered his senses as he looked up to leave. "I'll take those two and…"
Directly across from them stood Thrud, the golden Valkyrie having remained to watch the exchange. Even in the scuffle, she had not reached for a towel or other means of covering her modesty. She stood before them only a few feet away naked as could be, the steam having cleared enough so nothing was obscured. As with Rossweisse, he had seen her naked before, even done battle with her is such a state or when she healed him in the cave. It didn't matter, she was practically glowing more than she'd ever seemed in the past. Whether it was from the fabled hot spring or another reason would not be discovered that day. Dorian held his gaze upon her for only a moment, but that was all it took. A moment to remember the contours of her skin, the muscles that in no way detracted from her beauty but seemed to add to it. She was looking at him in a way she had not before, eyes piercing through him as heat rose to her cheeks. Unlike the past, Dorian seeing her like that had an effect.
I didn't care if he saw me before, but now…
"I-I'll get them out," Dorian averted his eyes while retrieving the chained Issei and Riser, hefting them over his shoulder quickly. "They'll stay in the cave until morning. Tell Rias I think her plan worked. Riser seemed quite content working with dragons to a mutual goal. I'll see you all tomorrow. I'm sorry," he muttered lastly under his breath in Thrud's direction before dropping over the side of the mountain, his prisoners still mumbling for freedom.
The two remained in silence until the pandemonium had subsided from Dorian and the other men's withdrawal. They'd be checking on Issei and Dorian's progress in the morning, however it was clear their goal had been fulfilled. Thrud laid a hand on Rossweisse's shoulder as they made their way to the locker room around the obstacle course of scattered furniture, both still glowing brightly under the light of the moon.
"You are my best friend," Thrud informed Rossweisse with a melancholic smile on her face before embracing her. "I hope that will always be the case, whatever happens."
"Thrud, yes, of course," she returned the hug as the women let time pass them by in the hug. "Nothing could ever separate us; we are Valkyries after all." Gondul's granddaughter threw a heartwarming smile to Thor's daughter. "Whatever happens, we will face it together."
Riser Phenex has found his spirit again to grace the Rating Game field with his presence. As emotions run hot among the Crossroads, the school trip approaches. Next time, our heroes head for the shadows overlooking Kyoto. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe and healthy, Reads and Reviews, but most of all Enjoys! :D