Star Wes: I totally understand, I wasn't a fan of Issei's portrayal as a workaholic absentee dad lol, but I promise this will be tied into the greater story of Roots ;)
Guest 1&2: I see, and the Trihexa doesn't have much backstory set so lots of creative freedom there.
Lorenzo Macchiavelli: I am glad you like it! I'll admit I'm going to adjust the way canon DxD deals with multiple timelines, but this will be an important arc for Roots of Hope as a whole.
hawkeyestratos1996: I only did at first, but admittedly the more it went on I grew less and less of a fan. Vol. 21 was the last arc I truly liked. Everything after that just feels so shallow to me ever since Issei became the center of the universe XD
TheHiddenLettuce: Sorry! XD I hope the wait wasn't too grueling.
Consort of Chaos: That they are, not good at all for Dorian considering no one there knows him. And you are right, in the EX novels, they revealed Issei had at least 11 wives and at least 1 child with each but it's implied there are others than just those shown. That's why the one girl in Valkyrie-esque armor had the same name as Rossweisse's mother...
SkullWolfSteam: I will say you are right that this is the future of DxD canon, but I decided to diverge from canon's explanation of multiple timelines (which they only really did to explain the difference between the Light Novel and Season 3 lol). It may get a little bit wibbly wobbly with the timey wimey, but I hope you enjoy the path I take.
YMCM: Hahaha, technically I don't think NTR would apply here since neither of them are with the same Rossweisse, just different versions of the same woman. As for my OCs, no detailed spoilers, but I go by the notion that other than Dorian they were there in canon, just not a focus of the story.
Hollowreaper 93: Trust me, he won't want to stay lol.
Critias204: I am so glad you enjoyed it! Indeed, poor Dorian is in for a rough couple of chapters...
Dragonx411: Haha, I have been a fan of the MGS series since I was like 10. Good reference ;) Exactly, in this future he'll come across hints to bring back to his time if he can find a way back. Seeing Rossweisse with Issei will just exemplify how fortunate he feels to have her affection in his time. And as always I am sorry about the cliffhangers XD And thank you for the birthday wishes! I hope you have been doing well.
Talking Pumpkin: Sorry, regardless of chapter lengths, I try to stagger them out 3 weeks or so. Not just to give fans time to read it, but also give time to work on the next chapters. I hope you like the current chapter just as much :D
Heb6919: Not EXE as that took placing during Shin. This is the EX timeline that was a short spinoff after Season 3 came out.
xXWolfsterXx644: Hopefully the wait isn't too long :D They can't stay in that timeline that's for sure.
Supremum Rex Stulti: I totally understand not being a fan of those aspects. I always try to keep characters from the series acting in character, my goal for the canon cast was them acting as they would if they didn't suddenly start worshipping Issei which felt out of nowhere for people. As for Issei learning a lesson, I would never bash the character, but many of his actions did warrant punishment or learning a lesson so he can grow and mature which happened very seldom in the novels. You are right, I have gotten rid of a lot of the jokes with Rossweisse in canon cause most of them were at her expense saying how she never had a boyfriend (despite only being a year older than Rias who also had no BF until she was 18) or mocking her drunken spells. The jokes to Rose always felt so mean-spirited until she suddenly joined the harem and she started acting completely different from before.
I am truly glad you like the idea of him in a future he doesn't fit in with, he'll be there the next few chapters at least. Don't worry, Le Fay is not going to be a romantic interest with Dorian. Part of this story is to show how a character can interact with women without it just automatically meaning romance (Unlike Issei lol). They will be close, that is true, but not all close relationships between opposite genders must be romance.
Dragon Bone Z: Not likely, admittedly I've never been a fan of the gamer story type so I don't see myself ever writing one.
ahsoei: Glad to hear it ;)
TheLycan2026: Thank you so much! As for the alternate timeline aspect...that may get complicated XD And thank you very much for the birthday wishes :D
xhope14x: Yea, I was surprised after the EX novels came out that the future aspects weren't more popular. I wasn't a huge fan of the portrayal of the older characters, but the kids had potential to be fleshed out.
Dman2o0: I wish I could write faster XD I know your pain, few things are as painful as hitting a brick wall after binging a book or series. My apologies for that.
fanficcyberman: That is a good way to put it XD Everyone he knows doesn't know him and it'll seem like EVERYONE married Issei. Thank you very much for the kind birthday wishes, had a big chocolate cake lol. Oooooo, you are tying this trip to the future with something set up ages ago...no spoilers but I am so touched you made that connection ;) I am doing well as is my family, I pray the same is true for you and yours my friend.
avenger3576: Well it won't affect the events themselves per se since this is in the future of current Roots of Hope...that is not to say that they won't be linked in some way...
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"Th-there, just like that," Rossweisse moaned as she laid back rocking up and down with Dorian's movements. "Yes…"
Dorian stood over her atop the bed they shared thrusting in and out of her. It was not the intense powerful ones that had been their first night together, but rather soft and gentle to be cherished and drawn out. The Silver Valkyrie appreciated every moment seeing her eyes and smile look up into his own. They were together now, if they wanted they could do this every night. There was no reason not to.
"What about…the Crossroads?" She gasped, finally finding her words. "They'll be missing us."
"They can wait," he leaned forward to kiss her again, Rossweisse wrapping her arms around his neck to keep close to him. "I'm not hesitating ever again, I swear that."
"If you keep going, I'll…" Dorian paused at the moment before his love's satisfaction would have peeked, feeling a pair of warm sensations on his back. There was no doubt who was behind him.
"Mmmmm, getting me hot and bothered just watching," Kuroka purred. "Your team will be waiting a looooong time, I'm next and I can go longer!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," a completely naked Thrud pressed against him on the other side pulling him her way. "You'd break in half if he went all out."
"It's not my first rodeo thunder thighs, you need to know how to treat him like a REAL woman!"
Dorian didn't know how to react to the voices on either side as he remained focused on Rossweisse. He swore to love them all as if each were his only and he meant it. Nothing would change that, if he couldn't make time for them all, then he would fail in that oath. Just as he'd planned the rest of the evening in his mind, a single voice suddenly threw a wrench into those plans.
"Dorian," Iggy meekly called out from the side. Turning, the Einherjar saw the woman who shared his soul sitting on the end of the bed. Unlike Thrud and Kuroka, she was not fighting or clambering towards him, but instead awaited the time upon which he'd be ready to look at her with infinite patience. She was as naked as the others, a single arm across her chest as if in a half-hearted attempt to remain covered until it was time. Her eyes stared into his with a longing he hadn't noticed before, as if she wanted desperately to tell him something but could never find the words. "Please hurry Dorian, I can't wait…Dorian…Dorian…Dorian…DORIAN!"
"Iggy? IGGY!" Dorian shot up fast, nearly cracking his head on to top of the bed he currently was laying within with a top bunk. "Shaking the cobwebs out of his mind, he glanced around the room.
"Dorian? Oh, thank goodness," Iggy called out from behind a pair of bars at the far end. "You were mumbling in your sleep, I was worried."
"I didn't say anything…strange, did I?" He sheepishly asked, remembering the intimate details of his dream in full. She shook her head quickly, but the blush overtaking most of her face told a different story. "Where are we?"
"Th-they threw us in here," Le Fay explained, the young magician currently occupying another cell on the opposite end, her staff missing. The three had been placed in individual rooms separated by thick bars Dorian could only assume was to prevent them from interacting with one another. "No one would speak to us, the rodent wasn't brought in, we haven't seen him since we awoke. Dorian noticed how frantic she looked, as if she was barely holding it together. "Magic doesn't even work here, must be some sort of field."
They accused her of being a clone, that would unnerve anyone. That and being told so brazenly who she's intended to be married to. And Rossweisse…
"Don't worry about the magic field," he touched his arm where the Sacred Gear would be, still feeling the thrum of power. He squeezed his wrist a bit harder trying to work out the bubbling feeling in his chest just imagining the new world they found themselves in. "Are you two alright?"
"We are, but…" Iggy hesitated. "Dorian, we saw a calendar of the date when being dragged in. If this isn't an illusion or trick, we are over twenty years in the future!"
"Twenty years," Dorian mused a moment on what that meant. Everyone they know grown up, with how fast the world was moving that means any number of major events could have happened. It was a small comfort that the Brigade hadn't succeeded in shattering the major powers from what he saw. The numerous fighters assisting the battle against Fenrir were spread out among magicians, Valkyries, devils and angels. "But that doesn't make sense why they wouldn't know us then. So short a time, some records of the Crossroads MUST remain."
"Unless you subscribe to the multiverse theory," Le Fay brought up. "Alternate timelines, what-if scenarios, did you ever watch Star Trek growing up? For all we know, this timeline has nothing to do with us!"
"I'm afraid time doesn't work that way," a deep voice from the entryway interrupted their discussion. "There is only one flow forward, no branching paths, no alternate versions. Trust me, I've looked."
A mature man stepped forward, his platinum blonde hair catching the light with a soft glisten. He wore a long black robe contrasting with his pale skin. Despite the older appearance, the pointed ears and bright eyes made there no doubt as to his identity.
"Gasper?" Dorian asked hesitantly. "Is that you?"
"So, you know me as well?" He asked in a serious, professional tone that felt wholly at odds with the shy young man they knew. "I am sure you are tired of hearing this, but I have never seen any of you before, Mrs. Hyoudou being the exception but you have not looked like this in a long time."
"My name is Le Fay PENDRAGON," she corrected him quickly, her voice almost breaking not being used to shouting so much. "I barely know the Red Dragon Emperor!"
"And therein lies why we are taking such precautions. I've been lucky enough to know Issei my entire life so to find one of his wives as a teenager claiming to have time traveled in these times is quite suspicious."
"One of?" Dorian couldn't resist asking. "I am guessing he got his harem after all?"
"Long ago. Harem King, Crimson Satan, Dragon of Dragons, the list of titles goes on. All of those you faced Loki alongside were his children."
"All of them?" Iggy's jaw fell open having counted no fewer than ten between Ex, Helmwige, Airi, Mordred and those who fought the metal Fenrir. "That was so many…"
"Indeed, his dream was a resounding success. We can have him talk to you once he returns, his schedule is quite hectic and he is off on a mission long in preparation. Until then, I will try to get to the bottom of this mystery. Now, starting with…"
"What about Rossweisse?" Dorian blurted out, unable to contain the question on his lips. "She called herself Hyoudou, did he…?" Gasper nodded in confirmation.
"Of course, she was one of the first with Rias and all those of her original peerage, myself and Kiba excluded of course. He was the first and only man she ever loved."
"Rias' Peerage? But she's a Valkyrie. And what you said right there," Dorian snapped a finger at him harshly. "That means this CAN'T be our timeline. I…I've dated her for months, we were together, we…" He had to stop himself before saying anymore on the closeness of their relationship with such an audience. "Even if this is the future of our world, I refuse to believe she would have no memory of me!"
"These eyes show me much," his Balor powers flashed for a moment. "It's how I moved up the ranks so quickly of devil society. I can view the future and past events, something no others have been able to do with any great accuracy. There is no path but the one we walk and have walked. I could possibly believe you somehow found the power to go backwards, but even that would require a force strong enough to break the world to accomplish."
This is getting us nowhere; I don't have a way to prove anything I say is real and if the past doesn't match up, I can't even use knowledge of events as evidence. Although…
"I don't suppose you were ever fans of kilts?" He had to ask, the blank expression from the vampire was all the answer he needed. "Never mind."
"What about my mother?" Iggy leaned through her bars hoping to help. "Yggdrasil, she knew that I was from the future on sight. Let us call upon her, surely even this future version can tell!"
"Yggdrasil?" Gasper looked truly confused now glancing over his papers. "Yggdrasil is the tree of the Nine Realms and source of their magic; it is neither sentient nor a woman to my reckoning. I am the one to be asking questions in any case. You told me you are named Dorian Held of the Crossroads. Where were you born?"
Dorian explained his birth in the United States, the state of Pennsylvania to be specific along with details leading into his time studying abroad culminating in his death in Kuoh. He left out certain private details, but ensured the point was gotten across how things matched to some points but not others. It was while he was describing his first trip to Kuoh that Gasper raised a hand asking for silence.
"I have heard enough; I am afraid only the part up to the car crash involving your parents can be corroborated. The rest you mention…never happened."
"What do you mean never happened?" Dorian was growing frustrated and it was obvious the vampire was picking up on it. "That was my life, I lived it. Ms. Lily watched over me, I traveled the world. You can't just say…"
"The Dorian Held matching your description was killed as a child in a vehicular accident resulting in an explosion originating from the fuel tank," Gasper spoke flat and to the point reflecting the serious side that had been cultivated over the years as he read the report in his hands. Holding out a folder, he presented photos of the accident and aftermath, Dorian recognizing the car even after so long. "He was buried alongside his parents outside their home in Murrysville, there has never been a mixed mythology group known as the Crossroads. I have certainly never met you nor have any of the others mentioned someone by your name in all the years I've known them."
"I…died?" Despite being given a moment to respond, Dorian had no idea how to reply as he looked over the evidence. He recalled Iggy's memories he'd witnessed in Helheim, the crux moment that had decided his fate. It was true that he'd been saved from the apartment fire later, but now he realized he wouldn't have even made it that far past the crash without her, seeing a dark vision of that occurring disturbed him to the core. "B-but Iggy saved me, she got me out of that car crash. Later…it was her being in me that caused Odin and Freyja to find me and save me from the fire, I owed her my life twice over even back then."
"I can tell you are a spirit tied to a Sacred Gear," Gasper gave his attention to the young woman looking on the verge of tears at the news. "But once again, no such record of you exists. If your mother is truly Yggdrasil, her presence in this world beyond the tree is a well-guarded secret of Valhalla."
They never shared that secret here? Did my presence cause them to reveal her identity?
"Um…" she sniffed to hold back the tears. "I came from a future that was destroyed," her willingness to talk about it so openly caused Dorian to turn to her, trying to think of some way to alleviate the burden. "Everything was dead, not even a single flower was left, what if this is that future? What if it hasn't happened yet?"
"That seems unlikely," the lack of belief in Gasper's voice was evident despite his collected demeanor. "It is true that Loki and his allies have been causing trouble, but nothing that could threaten the world so utterly as you've described. Issei has been defeating every villain that has cropped up over the last two decades. If anything exists that can challenge him, we would be truly lost."
"You called him a Satan?" Dorian sought details towards the fate of his frenemy. "I never took him for the ruling a nation type."
"The strongest there ever was," the vampire looked proud, that light from his youth breaking through just a bit. "He's been traveling, keeping everyone working together and safe. It's too bad it keeps him away from his children and wives so much, I can't remember the last time he got to see any before this mission…but that's the sacrifice he chose to make."
He doesn't get to see his family even after gaining such a large harem? How sad…
"You mentioned Hecuba and Lady Freyja," Gasper turned to Le Fay, referring to questions she had made while Dorian was still unconscious before they would answer. "It is true that a Spartan serves Olympus by that name, but our records of the elder myths aren't as up to date as we would like, especially those surrounding their domestic protection. And as for Lady Freyja…" His face soured with a deep frown. "Best you don't ask, it wouldn't be wise to reopen old wounds. That and if you truly are from the past, or at least believe yourself to be, it may be unwise to learn too much of what is to come."
"So, you DO believe us? Wait, what do you mean by old wounds?"
"I cannot say that yet," he closed the folder in front of him, standing up with a brush to straighten out his robe. "But in any case, you are clearly a mystery, one we cannot allow to leave especially when the identity of your Le Fay is not yet confirmed."
"I am confirmed!" The magician stamped her feet, face turning red as she pouted angrily barely keeping her hat from falling off. "I am Le Fay Pendragon!"
"You will remain here until Lord Issei is done with his mission and ALL of his wives you claim to know can be gathered. We will compare your DNA to the original Le Fay for any inconsistences as even their cloning process is not perfect, that's the easiest way to test and ensure you are not a clone. We will even attempt to locate this…Kassaegtha you mentioned. But you cannot be allowed to leave this room, do not attempt to. Over five hundred guards are stationed on the premises. Escape is quite impossible."
Dorian didn't know what to say, his mouth flopped open trying to process the situation as Gasper walked towards the door. As it swung open, his eyes lit up as on the other side was none other than Rossweisse herself. She was looking over a series of files wearing a pristine suit denoting a position of importance. He held a hand out through the bars reaching for her.
"Rose…" was all he got out before the door swung shut leaving the three alone in their cells surrounded by utter silence.
She…she didn't even glance in my direction. I truly mean nothing to her here. He let his frustration get the better of him, slamming the side of his fist into the wall again and again denting the metal. Even as it turned red, a bruise forming and the pain grew, he didn't stop until the words finally reached him.
"It's not her Dorian," Iggy insisted through the bars, her eyes locked squarely on him. "I don't care what they say about time travel, we are living proof he is wrong!"
"There is a first time for everything," Le Fay brought up while sitting on her cot, legs pulled up against her chest. "Maybe different timelines are secluded, cut off from one another and we're the first ones to punch through? It would explain why this hasn't been seen by ANY future seers of any myth. Unless this is a time paradox situation."
"In what way?"
"Well, some theories say that you can alter the future through the past, maybe this is what happened without you and Iggy's presence, but if she was sent back in time at a later date it would have changed the fundamental outcomes leading to this future, causing our present. Maybe this is an echo, a...piece still clinging on from what happened the first time around. Like the original of an overwrite, a do-over?" She didn't sound certain of her words, the theory coming to her mind as she spoke.
"Could an Old God's interference do that?" He asked in vain, Le Fay shaking her head with a shrug. She didn't know, who possibly could?
"This could be totally unrelated to ours, or the timeline trying to realign itself, or anything in between, I don't know!" She gripped her head. "If I am meant to marry the Red Dragon Emperor, should I make sure it happens, or if it's a separate dimension then it should have nothing to do with me…"
"Or Rossweisse marrying Issei," Dorian joined her in the contemplation while burying his head into his hands.
Was that meant to happen, that the world has some grand plan that has to be carried out to the end? She's never looked at him that way since we first went to Kuoh, if I wasn't there, is it possible that she could…?
Dorian's head snapped as a tendril reached across the cell and slapped him hard in the face leaving a red imprint. Looking up, he saw Iggy glaring at him looking legitimately angry. She was huffing, her face contorted in a way he never liked seeing. The tears were gone at least, but what was left was almost worse.
"Don't…you…DARE think how things might be if you weren't here, not for one moment. If the universe wanted things one way, we can make it another. You too!" She turned to Le Fay who shirked back a bit clearly worried she may lash out at her too. "You do whatever you want regardless of what the future says!"
"Okay!" She agreed instantly throwing her arms up in surrender to Iggy's determination, but her words were still there, something for the young woman to think on while they were trapped. "Arthur would have agreed with you, he was originally destined to lead our family next."
"Then why is he part of Vali's team? The information on that detail was vague."
"He…made his own choice," she fidgeted a bit, clearly uncomfortable telling the tale. "He wanted something that becoming head of the family would not allow, that's all I'll say. We may be different, but we can agree on that. I'd rather make a future I want than follow one that is 'meant' to be."
"Well said little miss, I knew I was starting to like you."
"Rat!" Dorian whispered as he spotted his friend bound in between the thin bars blocking the window above. "Are you okay?"
"Am I okay!? I'm not the jailbird here, I just needed to rest, beauty sleep may not be necessary with these chiseled jaws but it did me wonders. Do your thing and let's get out of here."
"They were going to summon Issei and the others," Le Fay informed. "We were asked to wait until after this mission of theirs, maybe it is best to do so if this could get cleared up without incident."
"I wouldn't wait if I were you, heard the guards chatting and they aren't planning to rush things. I don't like it, apparently this mission they are talking about has already gone longer than they thought with not a peep from the perv. Who knows how long you'll be stooling in there? I heard it from the Rose's mouth."
"Rossweisse?"
"Sorry boss, she's a cold fish in regards to your presence here, wouldn't have believed it if I didn't hear it and not a whiff of mind control. Unless you want to let other people handle this I suggest that we…"
"We're leaving," Dorian made up his mind, standing tall in the cell as Laerad Ragnarok shimmered to life on his right hand. "Do you two agree?" Iggy couldn't nod fast enough, that unshakable smile back where it was meant to be. She hopped to her feet ready to go in an instant.
"But they have hundreds of guards," Le Fay brought up. "Magical teleportation has been disabled, how are we going to get out?"
"First rodeo with us?" Ratatoskr rubbed his thumb across his nose confidently. "Little miss, they don't have a means to block the boss' Road travel even in our time."
"And here they've never even heard of it," Dorian smiled as he held out his hand focusing all his emotion on the task at hand. "But we'll have to move fast so they can't stop us, brace yourself."
"Brace for wha…?" the young magician started to ask before the answer presented itself. Three portals, one beneath each of their feet materialized into being. Her question was lost amidst a stifled scream of surprise as the three vanished in an instant from their cells.
Not Far…
"What do you make of them?" Rossweisse asked Gasper as the door sealed behind him, the prisoners sitting in their cells. "Another plot by the ULs?"
"Possibly," Gasper sighed in relief as he massaged the bridge of his nose. "They know basic information and intense memories of events that haven't occurred. Perhaps if you spoke to them, we could learn more."
"I do not trust the way that one looks at me," she tensed up. "If there are no other options then I will once the others are here. Anything else you got from them?"
"They all truly believe what they are saying, yet when I try to look back with my eyes to check…"
"Still nothing?" Rossweisse handed her old friend a glass of water he accepted and drank greedily. "Not even in the past?"
"Only darkness when I look ahead, and grey blurs like oil paintings when I look back. This isn't like the past times Rossweisse, something is happening. I'll feel much better when Mr. Issei gets back, he's always seen us through trouble."
"Me too Gasper," she patted him on his back, turning towards the monitors watching the prisoners currently talking to one another. "Me too."
"Mother!" Helmwige burst through the door clearly in a hurry much to the confusion of the front desk secretary. "Have you and Mr. Gasper learned anything?"
"Not yet young one," she embraced her daughter warmly. "What are you doing here? I told you to ensure the seals on Loki are reinforced."
"He's not going anywhere, half of Asgard is watching him including Musphelheim giants. I had to keep Mordred from barging in here to see that clone of his mother for himself. The timing of this is too on point, like they waited until father was off in the Isolation Barrier."
"We don't know if she is a clone, not yet," Rossweisse admitted, the twinge at the back of her mind that they might be telling the truth keeping her from adhering to decades of temporal doctrine they'd discovered over many adventures. "Once your father returns from relieving the gods of their struggle, we'll get to the bottom of it. Lord Surtr and Musphelheim have been so helpful in these times," she sighed recalling their forces arriving just when they were needed. "Helping us secure Loki, even sending an army to watch over the Isolation Barrier while Issei is inside. We should have done this years ago."
"Any update on Lord Ajuka's equipment? It's not like his works to fail."
"No," Rossweisse would never tell her daughter, but that fact alone terrified her more than anything else. Prior to the previous week, they had been able to speak with all those within the barrier for the past decades monitoring their progress against the beast. Now, however, all was silent prompting Issei to risk going in to finally defeat the Apocalypse itself. Ajuka was the greatest genius the devil world had ever known making the quality of his creations beyond reproach. Seeing something he made go silent for so long was ill portents on its own to say nothing of the mysterious arrivals. The remaining Satan of the previous generation had been working tirelessly to reestablish contact with his friend Sirzechs within to no avail. "The one calling himself Dorian keeps insisting on knowing me."
"Do you, from your past maybe while you were working for Old Man Odin?"
"Of course not, your father is the only man I ever loved, there is no doubt of that. But Gasper has…"
"They're GONE!" A guard watching the camera that the two Valkyries had looked away from cried out. "The prisoners have escaped!"
"What!?" Gasper and Rossweisse rushed to the monitor confirming their words that the cells were not entirely empty. "Send men in there, reverse the recording two minutes and playback! They couldn't have gotten out so quickly, we just looked!"
The image reset to two minutes earlier, showing the prisoners still talking in their cells, spotting the newcomer, a squirrel who was clearly talking with them. In a span of several seconds, the blonde Einherjar summoned his Sacred Gear gauntlet, something they considered a non-threat due to them canceling out all magic in the cell. Despite their precautions, a rift of a type she did not recognize opened beneath all three and swallowed them up, leaving the room empty as when they spotted it.
"Who is that?" Helmwige pointed to the far end of the room almost out of view of the image. At the same time the three prisoners disappeared, an identical portal opened to reveal a golden-haired young woman step through. She seemed upset at the scene before her, throwing a curse before disappearing back into the rift. Helmwige felt a warm sensation settle in her chest, as if she knew the person even though they were a total stranger to her. They had no idea who she was, though before disappearing caught a glimpse at her clearly Valkyrie-inspired armor. The camera switched to a live feed as it caught up with real time showing the dozen security officers searching the room equally perplexed.
"I don't know, search the area for them or their accomplices, animals included! They couldn't have gone far with long-range teleportation disabled!" Rossweisse commanded, sending the room into a frenzy of activity to comply. "Helmwige, I don't like this, I'm going to your father's side. The others went ahead, I would have been with them if not for this. Can you continue the search for him?"
"I'll enlist a few of the others, Mordred I know will be eager to help," she gave a quick salute bringing a smile to Rossweisse's face. Her firstborn daughter had always been eager to please working for DxD. "You bring father back safe and sound."
Mother and daughter embraced once again, Rossweisse opening a teleportation portal and stepping through. Helmwige was quick to take charge, continuing where her mother left off. The entire building was a scene of such organized chaos that none spotted a small insect floating on the ceiling. From a distance, it looked no different than any other, however had they looked close enough, the mechanical parts denoting its foreign design would have been evident. With its task complete, it scuttled away, having heard and recorded every conversation and event that had taken place within the headquarters.
Road Between Realms…
"It's gone, it's all gone!" Iggy was distraught dashing from one side of the platform they stood upon to the next. "My entire wardrobe I spent the last few months making, there's nothing left!"
"I had a guess of that, my armory is gone too. Less that it's gone, but it was never here," Dorian muttered in a frustrated manner. He didn't like feeling so defenseless. Le Fay was not exempt, having been unable to retrieve her staff and arriving empty handed. "YGGDRASIL! Can you hear me!?" No answer came at first, his voice dying amid the endless reaches of the Roads. "YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE US, DO YOU?"
"You enter my realm with such ease," the familiar voice called out from the blue expanse of stars. "None have come here from your home since the Allfather so long ago, and yet…" In a flash of light, her avatar appeared though not as he remembered. Her eyes were less warm than the one he had grown to know, even her demeanor felt colder. "…and yet, this one is of me, yet I have never given birth before." She referred to Iggy, circling her analyzing every aspect.
"I've heard that before," Dorian recalled back to the first time he'd conversed with the avatar of the World Tree in his own time. "You aren't going to believe us, but we are from a different time, the past to be precise, but not the one you experienced it would seem."
Right, THAT will make perfect sense to her. Despoina's desire to do more than observe was starting to show in her tone.
"If you know me, then you know I can defend this realm myself," roots rose up around her threateningly bearing down towards the intruders. "I will reach the answer to…"
"Ow ow ow ow, my glorious coccyx," the grumbling voice of Ratatoskr groaned as he emerged from Dorian's furred shoulders of his Asgardian armor. "I need this for when the ladies come calling and…Oh, Yggy, your bosom is a sight for sore eyes. We have been through the ringer and then some."
"Ratatoskr?" She asked, her defensive wrath dispersing almost immediately. "But that's…oh, you look so young."
"Um, I'm really not," he glanced over to the others with concern. "You're not our Yggy though, are you?"
"It would seem not, and you are not mine," she paused with a spin. "Follow me, if you try anything you will not last a moment. But, if you are as you say you are, I wish you to see this."
With no other recourse, the three silently agreed to follow the woman deeper into the Roads Between Realms. They lost track of time as they walked the ancient pathways, even Le Fay's wonder starting to acclimate as she improved her map started in their own time. That alone she could confirm, that the Roads were the same as they were where they came from, even locating a few common intersection points she had drawn before. Only a few paths seemed to be missing, notably those created by Dorian's travels to other myths.
"Where are we going?" Dorian asked after the time passed felt endless even to him. "Even with the time dilation, it's been some time getting here. I've never seen this section, how far down are we…near the roots?"
"So, you do know more of this realm, that eases my heart somewhat. My roots are still far below as that journey would be dangerous beyond what you likely imagine. We are nearly there, but please, tell me of my daughter," she glanced back towards Iggy walking alongside Le Fay, Ratatoskr napping atop her head. "How came you to be together?"
"Well, it's a long story," he started, recounting as much as he could starting with the moment of his death though stressing she'd been with him well before that without his knowledge. It was touching, seeing her face light up again as it had in the present when he first saw her talk about Iggy. Yggdrasil had been aware of her before him back then from his first trip to the Roads when Ratatoskr saved his life.
"She has seen much," Yggdrasil remarked as he came closer to the present. "How curious I recall none of this, such a thing is…"
"Impossible, so I've heard," Dorian massaged his head getting tired of hearing the same thing again and again. "But you…I mean, our Yggdrasil understood almost immediately that she was her daughter like you did, is this so hard to believe?"
"To know one's kin is natural, I KNOW she is of me yet not how. Believing one has come from the future is conceivable…but to say you are from a past we cannot recall, that is different entirely. However, she is not the only one you travel with…" the avatar of Yggdrasil paused, glancing back clearly focusing on Ratatoskr among the party. "One may try to clone or copy me for a child, that much is certain, but I know of no power in the Nine Realms or anywhere in between that would focus on creating a copy of him."
Somehow, despite everything going on, Dorian was able to manage a chuckle at that sentiment
"We need to find a way back, can we…? Where is this?"
The travelers of the past awed at the tremendous sight before them. Towering high into the sky was a great trunk almost on par with the main body far off in the distance. Up until now, the Roads had seemed almost empty, however around them now teemed with life. Butterflies, or what almost looked like them, letting off bioluminescent light fluttered in the air. Dorian recognized the five red stags whom had allowed him to ride them to the aid of Olympus, as with the others they showed no hint of recognizing him. Eagles soared, even serpents Dorian had never seen slithered to and fro. Beneath it all, immense plots of land were separated within each were extravagantly large and immaculately maintained planters.
"You…no way, Yggy do you have a bun in the oven? Seed in the planter?" Ratatoskr was ecstatic as he rushed to each one admiring the craftsmanship. While made up of natural elements to the Earth, the design and intricate work gone into each one was beyond question. Even Iggy marveled at how much time must have been spent on each.
"It was about time," she beamed, that motherly side shining through that this version of her yet to experience. "Each of these contains one of my future children, many chances for renewal."
"So many," Le Fay pointed out, counting nearly two dozen just from what she could see. "ALL of them will be world trees like you?"
"If they so desire. I…" She paused, clearly uncertain if she wished to continue. "…I sensed something terrible coming, but not what. It was time to ensure that my seeds pass to the next generation."
"You're worried you may not get a second chance?" Dorian finished for her. "Wanting to carry on your legacy?"
"My legacy of watching over this world, yes. If you claim to be my daughter from an unknown future, it is very likely that you reside within one of these."
"One of…these?" Iggy knelt before the planters, a look of wonder and overwhelming joy spreading on her face. There was no way to tell if any would one day become her, causing her to settle on protecting every single one, a task she was ecstatic and energetic to perform. "These are my siblings, I'm a big sister? How long?"
"They need to cultivate, still many years off, but when it is time the patter of feet shall grace the Roads for the first time in history. I did not, however, bring you here just to see, I had to be sure."
Iggy was about to ask what she meant, only to pause as a soft humming sound echoed through the air. One by one, the planters lit up with a majestic green glow spreading from one end of the field to the other. As it reached them, the young woman found she too was glowing the same hue, the hum turning into a soft chorus upon the winds. She stood up, glancing to her mother whose smile was wider than ever, her defensive nature abating as she saw what she was looking for.
"You truly are one of mine, not only that but a child of this very patch," she embraced Iggy together now as all doubt was gone from her mind. "Whatever I can do to help, I will. It warms my heart to see you grown. But I shall not spoil anything further, you escaped to here in a moment of need. What do you plan now?"
The others were silent, glances between each of them as they finally had a chance to relax and take in their situation. Le Fay spoke first.
"To get home, right? We aren't supposed to be here."
"But this could be the future I hail from," Iggy said what Dorian was thinking. "They seemed so sure all was well, but if they're wrong maybe we can help."
"Help against what?" Dorian tried looking at it from both sides. "We don't even know who these invaders they spoke of are beyond being allies with Loki. Issei and his kids seem to have things well in hand," his voice had a touch more spite than intended. "But then again, is there even a way home?"
"Time travel is not known, I have kept watch over all and never seen its like," Yggdrasil explained. "The vampire, Gasper, is closest but even if that were possible it would be the past of our future. That is one you did not exist from what you speak of."
"I existed," Dorian muttered as he recalled the chilling explanation. "But I died without Iggy."
Think Dorian, we KNOW that time travel is possible, we just lived through it. Also, that there must be a bridge between these worlds, we did that too. What if…?
"Kassaegtha is our best bet," he decided at last. "She was there when the rupture opened, this HAS to be her doing somehow. Can you tell if there is any Old God presence around me?"
"I wouldn't have let it cross the boundary into this realm!" Yggdrasil asserted with a spark of disdain. "But I assure you, I sensed none near you when you first arrived."
"My magic couldn't track her, no one's could," Le Fay cupped her chin deep in thought. "We would need to find her, but no one has ever been able to track down an Old God. They wouldn't be nearly as legendary if anyone could"
"Ye just need the right nose," Ratatoskr jumped up on Dorian's head to grab his attention. "I've been smelling that cute stalker on you for months; the scent is pretty unique. Get me in the right general area and I'll track one for ya!"
Dorian, Olympus…
"Olympus has books in the forbidden archives on Old Gods," Dorian repeated almost verbatim what Despoina relayed in his head. "One may have some information where we can start looking."
"How do you know that?" Le Fay asked suspiciously, eyeing Dorian up and down as Iggy glanced each way only looking even more guilty. She knew full well how guarded the tomes of the Greek Pantheon were to any who were not natives to that place.
"I…looked over a few during my brief stay for the peace summit," he didn't lie but remained concerned for Despoina's identity in his mind especially after Hades' previous ultimatum. "I can go through the Roads to bypass their defenses."
"You aren't leaving me behind!" Le Fay stamped her foot seeming on the verge of a pout again. "What if something happened to you?"
"Coming along would be dangerous, I may have to reenter the Roads at any time to avoid guards and if we got separated, you'd be trapped."
"OR you ensure we each know where the other is at all times," she stepped forward suddenly. In a very professional and stilted manner, Le Fay Pendragon bent almost ninety degrees into a bow before him. "Dorian Held, Tyr Odinson, I respectfully request permission to make a pact with you!"
"What?!" Iggy blurted out as Yggdrasil looked on with interest uncertain how this had come about so suddenly.
"A marriage pact? Sure, he'll agree to mmmph!" Ratatoskr never expected the attack from behind as Iggy wrapped the squirrel companion up in many roots she still maintained control over. Her mother had no objections.
"A magician's one!" She called out, flustered while fidgeting a bit in place. "Not only is it a binding contract for each to help the other, but it would also allow us to sense the other's presence no matter where we are. To prevent one from running away or shirking their duties, that sort of thing. Did you…not want to contract with me?"
"I had been thinking about it as much as you and Volody were," Dorian admitted, considering in the back of his mind how the Baba Yaga would surely be upset at the situation being forced like this. "You know so many magics I don't, I could learn a lot."
"And it'd be convenient for the current situation!" Ratatoskr raised a point with an enthusiasm that screamed he was still planning ways to tease them about it later. "Even if she gets captured, you'd know where she is and can just pull her out. This timeline has zero defense against us moving where we want."
"Do we have time for that?" Iggy asked without moving away from the planter, having started to help water and tend to them despite a multitude of creatures already doing the same. "You mentioned the ritual can be complicated."
"It can be simplified, and you said time moves differently here, right?" She pulled out a list from her cloak and started to look it over. "Um, would it be possible these things exist here?" Yggdrasil looked over the parchment, memorizing every item with a single glance.
"Why of course, and I can gather them in no time at all. Rest a moment, and I shall acquire all that you need."
Elsewhere…
"Keep him moving," the young man leading the guards commanded with a stern voice. "The sooner we get him to Cocytus, the sooner we can aid my father."
"Yes, Lord Zen," the head of the security forces of Vanaheim nodded to their honored guest. It was not often that a son of the Red Dragon Emperor would visit their realms. "Your sister's seals are holding strong, he cannot escape."
"Zen Quarta-Hyoudou," Loki mocked as he was pulled along with the entourage of thirty men, floating along as they did not even trust him to walk under his own power. "So, you are given the ESTEEMED duty of guard detail. What a truly respectable task given to the son of the Excalibur wielde…"
"Shut up," Zen backhanded him across the cheek scowling at him. "You're the reason I am not able to fight alongside father and mother against the beast. At long last, it's time to free the other gods who have held the line for so long."
"Held the line while your venerable father took all the glory for himself leaving none for others? Stood as the pillar of champions for all to look upon and awe at?" The god spat, just barely missing Zen's face. "If what those strangers have said, there is a place that hasn't happened yet and may never."
"Do not try to trick us, we have those newcomers locked up awaiting questioning. More than likely your allies brought in a few more friends to confuse us."
"Not just you," he admitted. "Hearing that a rendition of me actually succeeded in killing Baldur before he holed himself up in your little Isolation Barrier was quite a shock. "Then again, hearing HOW I did it was even more fascinating. Imagine the most harmless of plants being the cornerstone of the counter-charm, Freyja was more conniving a woman than I gave her credit for, a pity what happened to her. I will have to give it a try if only to test if it is true."
"YOU won't be trying anything ever again," Zen rounded on him, commanding the guards from each of DxD's allies to halt. "You're heading to Cocytus, then we'll join the forces at the Isolation Barrier and free Baldur along with the others. You will spend the rest of eternity on ice as you should have decades ago."
"Ah yes, your inspiring allied forces from across the world," Loki's voice was dripping with a mocking tone that boiled the son of Xenovia's blood. "So wonderful to see such paragons of cooperation and comradery. Also, convenient that the forces of Musphelheim got there first…"
"What are you saying?" Zen drew his sword, the latest Durandal IV, strongest of its kind ever made and held it to the god's throat.
"Only that the years of relying on that perverted speck of a man you call a father has made you all gullible that everyone thinks as you do. Those of Musphelheim have been quite shunned as pariahs for years and this opportunity would be…" he paused as a sinister smile stretched across his face. "…golden for them"
Zen's eyes grew wide, as one of Issei's more combat-centered children thanks to years of tutelage under Kiba and Vali when their father was absent, he thought more realistically than most. Loki's allusion was clear as day in that moment.
"The fire giants! We must warn the others!"
"Now, why do you think I would have told you any of this if there was even the slightest chance of any of you getting out of this building alive?"
"You can't do a thing, my sister's seals…"
"Your sister made a seal to secure my silence boy. Notice what I've been doing this whole time?" Their faces paled unable to believe the small detail they had failed to notice.
Zen had no time to react as the magic runes holding Loki in place collapsed into dust like sand through an hourglass. An explosion of light blinded the young half-dragon devil, blowing him back into the wall with ease. The world spun, even with as powerful as he was the sheer energy behind the blast had been incredible. The ringing deafened him to much of the world, barely making out the scream of the guards that had accompanied him.
"It was infuriating acting as if I could be bested so easily." Loki seized his throat as his hearing started to return, hefting the man into the air. He was now covered in silver armor resembling a horrific mish mash of insect, dragon and wolf attributes clearly a false Balance Breaker state. "You took my scepter but never realized it was an Artificial Sacred Gear of my very own granted by my allies. You of all people should know you can't just seize it so easily.
H-he held back to get this far in, how did we not see this coming!? Helmwige, I'm so…
Zen's last thought was lost to the void as a fist passed through his chest and exited the other side, sapping all strength from him. Durandal IV clattered to the ground followed closely by the body of its master, Loki wiping his hands together as if it would remove the blood covering them.
"Well, that is that," he looked around at the guards dead to the last man. "No need to kill you, that'll happen soon enough. Until then, time to sow a little chaos. Today, the age of the Red Breast Dragon comes to an end."
And maybe I can find those little pests from this unknown past. Who knows what other secrets they may be willing to divulge with the right incentive?
In the Road Between Realms…
"Candles, check, offering plate, check," Le Fay went through the preparations in her head towards completing the ritual to make a pact with Dorian. "How did you find a soft-shell turtle out here?" She referred to the turtle carapace resting atop the plate with the other scattered items required.
"I asked her nicely," Yggdrasil explained, pointing down as the shell moved. "She has always been so accommodating to others."
"As long as it doesn't take too long," the turtle suddenly spoke as a head popped out from within, causing Le Fay to jump a little. "Sitting still this long is murder on my neck. Your cloak is lovely dear, who did the stitching?"
"O-oh, thank you," Le Fay fidgeted at the compliment despite the unique nature of her ritual ingredients speaking back to her. "I did it myself, mother taught me when I was little."
"Aw, that is nice. I remember my mother teaching me to find the pools of these Roads. She's over there now," she motioned her head towards a turtle nearly as big as a truck standing in the distance. The two waved to each other with a smile. "This won't hurt, will it?"
"It should not, magic just runs through you using your shell as the medium. I've never heard of it damaging in the past…although I think this will be the first instance of a live turtle being used. Um...no offense. Though it might be muted without my staff though."
"Well, we can't have that now, can we?" Yggdrasil held out her hands twisting them as if she were molding clay. Before the astonished magician's eyes, the ground beneath her began to glow with light. Brambles of the ethereal land started to rise twisting around each other like a snake until they met at the top, fusing together leaving an indentation where the gem would normally rest. Reaching into a nearby tree, the avatar of the world tree plucked a glowing fruit, placing it within to shimmer a majestic emerald hue. "This will suffice, I pray?"
"More t-than suffice!" Le Fay's eyes had stars in them again as she gently accepted the gift. Magic from the Roads ran through the staff seemingly without end, the fruit on top generating energy she didn't recognize but could feel the power. "Thank you! I'll never let it go, I swear!" She had to resist hugging the mature woman before her, not knowing how she could ever be worthy to wield the staff in her hands.
"And for five-years I, insert name here, do swear to share such knowledge as is considered to be equal to or greater than that which I am provided," Dorian muttered to himself trying to remember as much as he could of the document Le Fay provided proofread by herself ahead of time. She'd even gone so far as to make a copy, one was in devil symbols in case it had been for Issei, the second in Nordic runes for Dorian. He didn't have the heart to tell her his knowledge of Asgard writing was still basic at best and the older spoken language not at all, though Iggy was kind enough to translate. "This is a lot; I wish Rose was here."
"It looks like a business contract," Iggy explained, her ability to speedread allowing her to take in the entire document while Dorian was barely halfway through. "You swear an oath to make this pact and it details what can and cannot be done under different circumstances. You may not contract with another mage during this time for example, you may withhold information if you wish so long as other knowledge or compensation is provided in its place. You both shall be linked to allow easy location in emergency situation and prevent fleeing before the agreement runs its course. There will also be room to rework the contract in the event of altering relationship status such as if you become enemies, one dies or marriage occurs as such stipulations are not taken into account here.
Marriage?! Dorian pretended not to notice that particular clause as Iggy explained the remaining intricacies of the pact.
"I don't want this to feel forced," Le Fay assured him as she ventured closer. "Pacts made without both sides being wholly invested can turn out badly. If you would prefer to not..."
"I'll admit it's much sooner than I expected."
"I wanted to be sure, you've been looking so serious."
"How can I not?" He sighed to try and burn off the images assailing his mind since hearing what had become of the Rossweisse of this world. She seemed happy, but not in the same way she was in his time. It was selfish and she wasn't truly the same Rossweisse, he knew, but couldn't help it. "Everything that's happened so quickly..."
"I understand, it feels like we're doing something wrong...but we're living our lives, right? Should hearing how something might turn out affect how we act?"
"Like looking up strategy guides online!" Ratatoskr pointed out from a nearby tree. "If you go in blind, you'll act totally different to how you would if you know what's coming." The comparison was more on the nose than they thought, giving the pair more to think on.
"I have the last of the items," Yggdrasil informed them at length. "We can begin when you two are ready." Getting to his feet, Dorian extended a hand to help Le Fay up as well, she took it gladly squeezing a bit tighter in resolution to move forward.
With nothing else standing out nor any objections, Dorian cut his hand slightly to spill the necessary blood to sign. Under his soulmate's direction, he added the Nordic runes that mostly closely translated to his new name Tyr. It felt most appropriate for such an official capacity. Seeing his part was complete, Le Fay poured out a vial of pre-spilt blood to sign her own name in magical symbols.
"Everything looks in order," Le Fay beckoned Dorian atop a magic circle she'd intricately drawn in record time. "Though I am not sure how this will work, it's normally done with animal blood."
"No such thing will be spilt here," Yggdrasil stressed again with a stern tone. "Besides, the sap from my boughs is much more potent and will bind you together far closer than anything else so…simplistic. Say your words, you have my guarantee it will work beyond your expectations."
"Ahem," Le Fay cleared her throat as she laid the document in the center of the magical circle. "In the name of I, Le Fay Pendragon, I shall make a wish to the Einherjar of Asgard and Commander of the Crossroads; Dorian Held, Tyr Odinson. You shall make a pact with me, become my companion and sworn friend."
The circle started to glow, sparks of energy leaping forth that the magician clearly wasn't expecting. Iggy watched on, her own body glowing with the same light being included in the contract due to her ties to Dorian. They had simplified the normal chants for the sake of time but it did not appear to have any adverse effects on the ritual.
"And I, Dorian Held, Tyr Odinson, Commander of the Crossroads and Einherjar of Asgard so do swear and promise to make this pact with you, Le Fay Pendragon here and now. My knowledge is yours as yours is my own, let us find our way home and there learn from one another as friends." Dorian read back the lines he had been given, his time performing as the High King memorizing scripts coming in handy. He bowed his head politely, Le Fay doing the same with a giggle as it was not required but a welcome touch all the same.
"Yes, we must get home first, then we can both grow from one another." She shivered as a symbol appeared on her cheek, an identical one glowing on Dorian's. It was a magical rune nearly matching the patch on the side of his Crossroad uniform depicting many roots growing from a mighty tree. The symbol shimmered for a moment before fading as if sinking into their skin simultaneously.
"It is done," Yggdrasil confirmed with a clap of her hands. "With this, Lord Dorian and Lady Le Fay are now business partners. Be good to each other."
"Till death do you part," Ratatoskr tried to jest only to be squeezed tighter within a prison fashioned by Iggy.
We will, Dorian thought to himself as the primary circle faded with the magic spent, the soft-shell turtle leaping from the plate with a sigh of relief that she could move again. I can learn so much more than I already know, and she gets to study this place and whatever else she desires. But first, we have to get home.
"Okay, then let's get moving," Dorian hopped up with renewed vigor. "Le Fay, Rat and I will head to Olympus; I've been there so as long as it's in the same place as our time I can drop right into the library. Iggy…"
He stopped as he saw the young woman tending to the planters looking more content than he'd ever seen her. She looked up expecting what she could do to help despite being unable to rejoin his mind, all the same Dorian found it hard to do anything that would tear her away from the post she had taken up tending to Yggdrasil's future children. The expression reminded him of the dream he'd just had.
"You can stay here, too many would make it hard to get around and Le Fay can teleport. When we find books related to the Old Gods, we'll hand them through to you. You can read faster than us and see if any information inside can help."
"Understood!" Iggy saluted with a smile, clearly overjoyed at the post that allowed her to help and stay in the Roads at the same time. "I just wish I knew why I am not able to rejoin you. I was so tired before, but since entering the Roads again I feel much better."
"Same here oddly enough," Ratatoskr chimed in. "That trip did a number on me, could barely stand, but now I feel like I could get my own harem together and show them a…" He did not finish as a branch from Yggdrasil clocked him like a baseball bat, sending him into a nearby wall before his lewd comment could be finished.
"Might have to do with the time travel," Le Fay theorized. "Perhaps the magic of the rift disrupted your spirit form, could be one of a hundred things. That can be the first thing we fix once we're home if it persists."
Dorian couldn't agree more, he and the Vali Team magician starting their plans for Olympus' infiltration under the secret assistance of Despoina telling Dorian all she knew. While Iggy and Rat were off tending to the seeds, Yggdrasil retreated to a safe distance, meeting with an unseen shape.
"Ye have an idea why the little miss is so tired when away from here, don't ya?" The man she left to visit pointed out. "Yer too smart for anything else."
"You flatter me," she smiled at his voice, always finding comfort in it. "Yes, and the resonance with my children confirms it. She IS one of those whom we seeded, and the energy is split between them."
"One realm yet two of the same person in two places, no wonder she's exhausted. But them being together lets them share it more closely?" Yggdrasil nodded. "I suppose that holds true for their dashingly handsome companion," he eyed Ratatoskr closely. "I'll make sure to keep him close."
"Do you want to speak to her?" Yggdrasil turned towards the voice. "You donated the energy that made them possible, I imagined you'd want to talk to your…"
"Nah, I doubt she'd care about an old man like me as her pa. Besides, if they are with him in the past, that could make things super awkward if she knew. Don't you worry, I'm good on the child support, I'll watch over her."
I know you will, it seems your other self made a similar vow, so you are not so different in this mysterious past. Yggdrasil mused as she dissipated back into her spirit form. From where she had been speaking, a small shape darted up into the trees leaving behind only the small fragments of strawberries he had been eating just prior.
The heroes from the past prepare for an excursion to Olympus. Their target, knowledge to locate Kassaegtha in order to replicate the means by which they ended up in the foreign future. Meanwhile, machinations move among enemies of the world putting into motion plans long in the making to challenge the golden age of the Red Dragon Emperor. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D