Deeznuts69: My apologies if it seemed that way, but I do not play favorites with who I reply to. When I reply to reviews, if they were on the most recent chapter (109 for example here), I reply both via PM and in the chapter itself. If someone who has an account reviews an older chapter, I just PM them a reply as if they are still on old chapters they would not see a response in the most recent. For those without accounts (like yours on chapter 69) who review on past chapters, regrettably, I do not have a reasonable way to reply as I cannot PM, and placing on the most recent seemed like they would not see it. Considering your mention of my replies, however, it seems you do read more recent ones which is why I am replying here. In addition, if I know a reviewer outside of Fanfiction dot net, I reply to them there instead of here. That is my tactic for responding to reviews, no favoritism in play.
CourtMageMerlin: The best way to end an arc haha. You must have a sixth sense for this kind of thing, hopefully this new update wasn't too long in coming.
Ragna126: All the love for Kuroka :D The setups may take time, but once they hit, the girls get all the time they need :)
Divine Blizzard: You got the point I tried making for this chapter so perfectly :) Even those who do not celebrate Thanksviving, the sentiment behind it can be appreciated worldwide especially when we face hard times. Especially hare...harmony XD It was about time Kuroka was accepted after the changes and growth shes gone through. Almost all those who see Dorian that way have said their peace...almost ;)
horakthy baraq: The dinner was definitely one of the wholesomest things I've written and was super enjoyable. I am glad it turned out well considering the sheer number of people attending. The cast of DxD can be quite large even without accounting for the extra characters. And I am glad you liked that touch with Hades. Canon never mentioned Persephone but originally said he was not an evil god (that kind of stopped being true in Shin haha), plus even in Greek myth he is not usually portrayed as evil so I felt that complexity fit well and will be fleshed out more later.
avenger3576: Ooooh, Dorian and Issei swap personalities? Dang, that would be chaotic indeed, especially if the others don't realize it at first XD Maybe the pair having to live the day as the other lol.
chidorprime: Happy Birthday! I sent a PM back when it was I hope you got. Perfect timings like that are always great to hear! I hope you had a fun one.
German science: Hehehe, good catch on my particular wording ;) I don't believe EVERY intimate moment needs shown...but just because they aren't spelled out doesn't mean they don't occur. Hmmmm, bears are a common symbol in Nordic art and tales (like Berserkers). The tale of Bjorn cursed to be a bear for example, lots of ways that can be adapted to a DxD side tale.
YMCM: I always got that vibe too, in canon they said that the only way to kill it would be a single blast that could completely disintigrate every molecule at once which considering the enormity of the creature is completely impossible even as of the latest volume. That is part of the tone I wanted for Roots, that brute force won't do the trick every time...so you have to get clever ;) I have a plan I've had since the beginning of Roots that I hope you and all my readers enjoy and that I never disappoint! :D
Guest1: To give him diplomatic immunity. Due to working for the Khaos Brigade, even for a little while, Vali was a wanted man but Odin realized how instrumental his team could be working for the alliance. So, to get around any political issues, he adopted him which essentially pardoned him for his crimes as long as he doesn't do anymore. I plan a new trip to Alfheim soon...and awwww, a picnic on Yggdrasil would be a cute idea.
Okaze: You and me both, fluff and wholesome are among my favorite chapters to write. That and developing the relationships between the characters which will (hopefully) make their interactions in the main story and battles all the more meaningful.
fanficcyberman: :D Exactly, lots going on. I sent you a full PM with my response. Well, thankfully magic exists so hopefully they can get those dishes and tables cleaned/put back together in no time. XD Awww, thank you so much for your kind words! I always wanted to add more to Hades since canon implied he wasn't evil but then never really went anywhere with it. You are so welcome and it's reviews like yours that make continuing to write to completion all the more worthwhile :). My family and I are doing very well and I hope the same is true for you!
Lorenzo Macchiavelli: oof, that would certainly be a dark turn. Sure there will be dark times, but overall I always saw DxD as an upbeat series. No matter how bad things get, they push on to find that light at the end to a happier future.
Shadow king: Thank you so much! Oh...that is a definite now that she's officially with the rest ;) You can look forward to that in the near future :D
OBSERVER01: They definitely earned it, the last 2 arcs in a row were especially unforgiving. Now they can actually breathe.
Supremum Rex Stulti: Long time indeed! I hope you've been doing well, I sent a direct PM for a full reply to your review. I totally understand Dorian isn't for everyone, but I am glad the latest arc made you like him a bit more. :) I am so glad you thought of that with Kiba, it was something I'm hoping to work in later where he meets his "siblings." Ingvild being in a new time from what she's used to could have been something very interesting for her in Shin, but never really happened despite being 100+ years out of her time. Having her awake early can not only let her actually develop with Issei but also acclimate to the new world. So many potential ideas and I hope I get to write them all. Thank you very much for the review :D I hope you continue to like where I go moving forward. :D
dinocam3: Cursed hiccups? There is something I never heard before haha. Never seen that series personally but that is a super unique idea. Not sure if that can fit in Roots, but I'll definitely keep it in mind :)
7: Hero Legion, that has a nice ring to it. But yea, her New Hero Faction has a ways to go both in recruiting good people and proving they aren't like the ones who came before. Definitely will show more of Heaven now that Irina is becoming instrumental in the Heaven System. As she becomes more proficient, things will grow closer to how it was when God was alive. And thank you! Having the world's strongest battleship will certainly make it instrumental in battles ahead. I hope you enjoy them all!
Dragonx411: Precisely, even seeing the horrible things coming, he is thankful and set to protect those around him. Fun chapters ahead starting now ;) You stay safe too my friend!
Guest2: Now that Kuroka has been confessed to...those two will need to pick up the pace if they want to be part of it too :D
Guest3: Thank you so much! That means a lot you've been enjoying it all this time. And definitely noted ;) Now that she's officialy among them, only a matter of time for her dates and more to come :D
Bt 7274: Haha, that would be super cute. Not that exactly, but one of the side story ideas I have will put Iggy acting a bit out of character ;)
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
As Dorian returned from a dark future, he slumbered watched over by his friends and loves for two days. He would one day tell them of what transpired while within that deep sleep. Having seen a what-if future where he did not exist causing so much to go different, he'd grown troubled of just what else could have changed with even a minor adjustment to events. This is what consumed his consciousness for that time.
"Dorian…Dorian…Dorian!"
"I-I'm up, I'm up," the young man rolled over flopping right out of bed and landing on the hardwood floor with a thud. "Sorry, just…"
"Need food first?" The visitor in a butler uniform held up a tray decorated with scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice. Dorian shot up at the smell, all fatigue gone at the sight before him.
"Al, you never disappoint!"
"That's Alivian," he groaned having to remind him constantly but was starting to grow certain that his fellow peerage member just enjoyed grinding his gears somewhat. "And do eat slowly, but come to the Mistress' study when you are done. There is much to discuss."
Dorian stretched once Alivian, Seekvaira's Queen, had left the room. With a satisfying crack, devil wings exploded from his back to flutter in the cool air before receding. As always, the food was beyond heavenly, causing the young devil to inhale it leaving not even a crumb on the plate. He knew Alivian was a butler, but still didn't want to impose, taking the dirty dishes to the kitchen himself rather than leaving them to be collected later.
It's my turn tonight anyway, so I'll be washing them. It's hard to believe it's already been six months…
Six months since the fire that had claimed his life so soon after moving to Kuoh Town to start the next stage of his education. He'd saved the young girl, but at the expense of his chance to escape. Dorian would be dead right now were it not for her arrival, the woman who saved him…Seekvaira Agares. Having recently departed a meeting with her friend, Rias Gremory, she'd come upon the fire and his body, sensing something more in him and reincarnating him into her peerage as a Knight.
I owe her so much; Dorian could never stop thinking when the moment hit him. Seek-chan, though I'd never call her that in front of others.
"We both do," a young woman materialized beside him with green hair. She was adorned in a black and red gown that she'd seen Seekvaira wear once at a High-Class Devil event and couldn't resist making it herself. "That breakfast looked so good."
"Hi Iggy," Dorian smiled as she leaned on his shoulders feeling light as a feather. Being able to alter her appearance, the Sacred Gear spirit had even created devil wings that trailed behind her. "Sleep well?"
"How could I sleep when there was so much to see?" She was practically bouncing with joy looking full of energy. "I didn't sleep a wink!"
"Seekvaira opened up more of her library to read?"
"Better, she let me see her collection!"
"THE collection?" Dorian's jaw hit the floor having heard the rumors of Seekvaira's hidden treasure. "I thought that her most guarded secret, I haven't even seen it yet."
"I brought up how I like working with my hands and she thought it would be a good way to relax…I may have built three or four…"
"Mr. Held, Ms. Iggy," the two barely noticed they had already arrived at the study, the Agares heiress sitting studiously behind her desk with a mountain of work already completed. "I hope you both had an agreeable morning. I just needed to speak with Mr. Held, Iggy, you may relax with the rest of the team."
"O-okay," despite looking up to her, Seekvaira's tone could be very intimidating when she was focused. "I'll be in the cafeteria," she squeezed Dorian's hand before departing, closing the door behind her.
"Your contracts have not been as numerous this month," she started reading from a sheet of paper in front of her, emerging from behind the desk to approach him. "You used to get so many done in a week, but now that seems down."
"Well, Al…Alivian and I had to track down that stray devil that took up residence in the atrium. That and we wanted to see the Sitri vs. Gremory match, the others and I stopped by…"
Dorian's explanation was silenced as Seekvaira leaned forward, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes before removing her glasses and embracing the young man in a tender kiss. The Knight stopped talking, dropping the paper to reciprocate the gesture. After several seconds, the pair parted, the status quo restored that any who entered would never have guessed there was more to them. This was the situation they maintained to prevent any questions from the rest of the team or devil society at large.
Ever since we beat Diodora…
Dorian recalled their match against the Astaroth heir well. The two teams were pitted against one another in a Siege Battle Rating game with them on the defensive. The opposing team had been stronger than they imagined, easily breaking their frontline defenses. It had seemed hopeless until Dorian tapped into the power of Laerad Ragnarök, speaking to Iggy for the first time outside of dreams.
The first time I showed this power, Dorian flexed his hand, recalling when he blocked an attack meant to eliminate Seekvaira yet took no damage. Helping around her manor as a new servant, walking in the garden taking notes to help her, all of it came spilling out with the Knight admitting he had feelings for her. He eliminated all but Diodora himself, the Astaroth heir so enraged that he revealed he was using a power boost from the Khaos Brigade leader, Ophis, to grow stronger. Even with using even greater strength, he failed to stop the Balance Breaker armor that followed, ending the match in their victory and ensuring the imprisonment of the traitorous devil.
"I trust your training is coming along," with the moment of tenderness past, Seekvaira focused on their next upcoming match though was clearly distracted. "It will take more power than we showed to defeat Rias and her Red Dragon Emperor Pawn."
"Issei Hyoudou," Dorian recalled seeing him at the Young Devil Gala only a few weeks past. "He beat Riser Phenex and his new…ahem…ability allowed his team to come out on top against Lady Sitri"
"Yes, this…booblingual will be quite troublesome with you and Alivian the only men on my team. I will be counting on you both to be a shield so he cannot use its effects on us."
"If he tries, I'll eliminate him in an instant," Dorian asserted, a smirk showing she still quite fancied his bravado at times. "If he thinks I'll let him start focusing on your breasts, he has another thing coming!"
"I trust you will, though we'll be making a trip before then. A request came in again last night."
"The Nine Realms?" Seekvaira nodded, Dorian sighing. Ever since she'd reincarnated him as a devil, tensions with the Norse Pantheon had been high. Apparently, unbeknownst to them, the night he died that the Allfather himself, Odin, had been in Kuoh. They'd learned recently that the core of his Sacred Gear, Iggy, was tied to the World Tree, Yggdrasil, itself and the fact she was now part of a devil peerage did not create goodwill between the two groups. More than once, they'd requested him to travel to Asgard to discuss the future. He was not against it, but recent events between the Peace Summit and Khaos Brigade attacks had made such travel impossible. "Maybe after the tournament is done, we can take them up on the invitation?"
"Is that what you want?"
"It could help Iggy understand more of her mother's home," Dorian took a seat across from her. You mentioned last time that the Queen of Asgard was pretty angry."
"Her marriage hasn't gone well in a long time on top of the recent events; it makes sense she'd be upset. If you feel that strongly, then we can depart after we are either defeated or once the closing ceremonies are done. Be sure to not use that as an excuse to slack off."
"Wouldn't dream of it," he saluted with a smile that drew one of her own. "Maybe if we win, you'll let me see your collection like Iggy."
"She told you?" He never got tired of seeing Seekvaira look so frazzled when her more eccentric interests were revealed. "I wasn't hiding it per se, rather…"
"It's okay," Dorian assured her again. "I used to play with models as a kid, never got into building them but always thought it looked like fun."
"Is the door locked?"
"It…is," he double checked, her sudden question catching him off guard. "Why?"
"Then we need to make this fast," the blonde-green heiress pushed her paperwork to the side clearing a segment of her desk. "You always said you were good with your hands, today I'll give you a chance to prove it."
"You don't mean…!?" Dorian gasped as Seekvaira opened a secret compartment on the other side of her desk, producing a small half-painted model of a mobile suit from one of her favorite shows. It was one the two had gotten accustomed to watching together ever since he'd accidentally walked in on her viewing an episode one night. With her reaction, it was almost like a parent had caught her viewing an adult movie. Since then, he'd gotten hooked finding the plots very enjoyable.
"You can finish paining the armor," she insisted. "The beam cannon needs to be finished before the decals can be added. Do you think you're up to it?"
"Challenge accepted," the devil Knight smirked back confidently while reaching for the bottle she had revealed from the compartment. "Bet I can finish the paint before you get that cannon built."
"Is this really any better than where you were?" A voice whispered in his ear. Like snapping out of a trance, Dorian turned his head back towards the shadows growing in the corner of the room.
"A few hours, that's all that would have taken for this to be the reality," he explained, Seekvaira behind him frozen in place unmoving. "She mentioned meeting Rias that night and even examined the ruins, if she'd found me first…"
"Then you'd have a delightful pair of bat wings," Kassaegtha finished the sentence as she formed into a physical form, that of an adult woman in a black robe. "You'd be dragged into this mecha-genre and there'd be tensions between your Three-Faction Alliance and the Nine Realms. It COULD have happened, but did not. What is the point?"
"Perspective," Dorian answered. "That future we saw was so different from one change, I wasn't there. So many bigger events can be altered from one simple change. It's…I don't know what to think if this can happen over and over, what if there are more out there?"
"Then you'll be asleep forever," she glided past him leaving a trail of smoke behind her. "You felt so guilty about that Despoina's betrayal, imagine if you had convinced her to not go through with her plan."
"Yes, if I'd just talked to her that day in the bath before the others interrupted," Dorian muttered as the scene before them disappeared taking Seekvaira and the room with it. "You are right, I need to see more. The others are taking care of my body, it will be okay to sleep a little longer."
"That same curiosity that makes you so fascinating will be your downfall, mark my words," Kassaegtha warned. "Trust one who has had eons alone with her thoughts. If you think on the conceptual too long, you'll drown long before finding anything meaningful.
Olympus…
"If you sleep too long, I will lose interest," Despoina cooed into Dorian's ear, causing the Einherjar to shoot up in bed. As always, his head was nestled into an intricately-sewn feather pillow surrounded by Olympian architecture. Thankfully, he'd grown used to the provocative statues surrounding them every day. Beside him, Despoina was leaning over still in her nightgown twirling one of his braids with an incorrigible smile reminding him of the time in Elysium. "That's much better, let me see those silver eyes of yours."
"I believe they're grey," he groggily corrected, kissing her on the cheek. "Can't you tell sleeping in the same bed the last month?"
A month, that's how long it had been seen the pair shared their nuptial vows before the Norse and Olympian rulers. A marriage to solidify an alliance blessed by the gods of both sides. After the bath they shared together where she admitted her plans for Olympus and helped them thwart it after an impassioned speech from him, she'd been placed under house arrest, Dorian's house to be precise.
"A-and one for me?" A gentle voice called out to his other side. Dorian did not hesitate, turning around to kiss Rossweisse as well, her flowing hair still disheveled as it always was before she could comb it.
"As if I would ever forget."
"Big day for the attaché between Olympus and the Nine Realms?" Despoina asked as Dorian climbed out to begin his daily routine. He wanted to stay, spend a few more hours with them but there was no time for that. Ever since accepting the arranged proposal between himself and Despoina to solidify relations, he had moved to the city of the Greek Gods for the duration until things were settled. It was not long after, during one of her meetings that Rossweisse had admitted all she felt for him, Dorian reciprocating yet at the time not having believed she could feel the same way he did. Fortunately for both, the Greek gods were very open to such a development and thus she became his second wife.
"Khaos Brigade again," he sighed. "It's believed the Old Satan Faction are trying to interfere in the Young Devil Gathering happening in the Underworld right now. Not to mention that mysterious underwater signal Lord Poseidon is looking into…"
"If only we had a way to get to it," Despoina contemplated, putting all her talents as the Goddess of Mystery to the test. "If this barrier is blocking even Lord Poseidon from reaching it easily, it must be ancient indeed. Then there is Indra making moves..."
"One thing at a time," Dorian stepped into the flowing toga-like robe granted for his stay that he'd grown accustomed to. A gold sash went across from shoulder to hip accented by a crown of laurels. He would not wholly abandon his Asgardian roots, maintaining furred shoulders and many braids from his battles over the month. "Maybe once we deal with enough of them, we'll have more breathing space to look into this underwater mystery."
"I hope Thrud is there," Rossweisse remarked as she stepped into her own dress making her look utterly dazzling to Dorian's eyes. "When she had to go back, it just didn't feel the same."
"I miss her too," Dorian admitted. "She'll be in the vanguard of this army Governor-General Azazel is putting together leading those Crossroads that were formed. The Old Satan Faction won't know what hit them."
"The Crossroad Commander reunited with her friends," Despoina glided around to stand by Rossweisse. "We will sweep away all of them before us. It won't be an all-day affair this meeting, will it?"
"Man, I hope not, the last one did," he rubbed the bridge of his nose just remembering the stacks of documents. The only thing keeping me from tearing my arms off was…you." He glanced back at the two standing side-by-side in their radiant dresses and smiled.
"Well, Rossweisse will be with you," Despoina playfully pushed the Valkyrie towards him, the two stumbling into each other's arms. "I'm still not allowed into those parts of Olympus, though the guards have since stopped eyeing me QUITE as sourly as after we crushed the invaders before they got through the front door. I'll be here when you get back to unwind."
Dorian turned to hide the smile he could not hold back knowing exactly what tactic for unwinding she preferred. He and Rossweisse had grown more accustomed to it, and considered each other as close as could be, but it never failed to cause the Einherjar to count his blessings.
"Maybe we can walk the gardens later," he offered. "You're allowed into that portion of the city after all. I would like…"
"Always fighting the Brigade with your loved ones." The cold voice interrupted his pleasant dream. "The more things change, the more they remain the same."
"It was still nice to see," Dorian interjected while smiling at Despoina whole and hale before the what-if vision started to fade. "I am sure Thrud would be glad that future didn't happen…she never liked leading from the back. To think she would have been chosen if Rose and I had remained in Olympus…"
"Minor alterations like that won't amount to much," Kassaegtha educated from experience. "It's those big changes, ones you never imagined that do the most…especially if it was from a young age."
"You mean…" Dorian started picturing it in his head. "If something had happened even before I burned to death?" That thought leapt to the forefront as the scene began to shift again.
The Vatican…
"Wakey wakey!" The cheerful voice of Irina Shidou entered his ears as a ray of sunlight struck his eyes painfully. Retreating beneath the pillow did not help as that was swiftly taken, forcing his eyes to adjust. "Morning mass starts in thirty minutes, dad already left ahead of us."
"God would forgive missing one day," Dorian groggily pulled the sheets over his head to be met with a pouting expression.
"I'll ignore that bout of blasphemy," Irina tried relieving him of the blanket but his grip was too resolute. After a moment thinking he had won, the surprisingly heavy body of the young woman landed hard on his back driving him deeper into the mattress. "I'm not moving until you agree to get up!"
"You know," Dorian looked up teasingly from beneath the cover. "With how warm you are, you aren't giving me much reason to get up. How about…"
"SINFUL!" Irina kicked his side, sending him flying, blanket and all, over the side of the bed. "W-we can't talk like that until we're married."
"Sorry, I suppose I was thinking too much of the future," the exorcist staggered to his feet before shambling half-awake to the bathroom. "Be a minute."
"You know what today is right?" She shouted a little louder through the now-closed door as she could hear the faucet running inside. "We must be extra vigilant and prepared!"
"They're sending us after the missing Excaliburs."
"How did you know? Lord Michael only informed me last night."
"I heard about the theft, sorry but I have a few friends who gossip."
"I don't understand why he wants to send so few; would it not make more sense to send a larger force?"
"Into devil territory?" Dorian could speak normally again as he emerged several minutes later feeling refreshed and wiping away a fast shower with a towel. "I bet they're just itching for a reason to break the truce. By sending just a small team, it is less threatening."
"Please put a shirt on!" Irina spun with a blush, throwing several from a pile left out the previous day. "I-I suppose that makes sense, plus you and I have been traveling together for years…"
"Ever since I walked in on you," Dorian chuckled awkwardly while putting on a simple blue t-shirt. He could never forget the night he snuck into Irina's house during his time in England intent on roping her into another ghost hunt. Instead, he found her training with her father wielding a sword that looked like it had come right out of a fantasy movie. There was no hiding her Excalibur training after that.
"At least I was able to convince father to let you join me, they don't usually let just anyone in but…"
"But I seemed eerily good at it?" Dorian flexed his right hand, a gold-green gauntlet taking shape with a holy sword materializing within it shining bright. It felt comfortable in his hands, prompting him to take a heavy swing through empty air.
"And Galantine accepting you as well!" Irina always spoke with such enthusiasm when discussing the bible, Church or holy weapons. "Me coming to you those years ago when you already had a Sacred Gear from our Lord all along, it was fate for us to hunt the faithless and monsters together. Xenovia might even be assigned for backup."
"Yea," he smiled, picturing the many times they'd fought together watching one another's backs. Even when Irina wasn't there, he almost felt like someone was watching over him, but the feeling would slip away as quickly as they came. "And even then…"
"WAIT! WE FORGOT THE TIME!" Irina flipped out as she remembered where they were supposed to be, the time of morning mass coming up fast. "Come on!"
Grabbing Dorian by the wrist, the young exorcist pulled him towards the door, her partner barely having time to grab the handle to close it on their way out. With how far the cathedral was, if they sprinted then they might have a chance of making it. After less than a block, he'd wiggled his wrist free so they were running hand-in hand squeezing just a bit tighter without saying a word. All the while, they didn't notice that they were being watched by a young woman with green hair that no one else could see.
"She never revealed herself to you since you had that angel-girl," Kassaegtha peered over Dorian's shoulder seeing the events below. "Didn't want to get in your way."
"I'd not have known Iggy, even becoming an exorcist all if I had been only ten minutes earlier on one of our ghost hunting outings," the Einherjar mused. "The impact of every small choice we make is so far-reaching."
"Really puts it into frame, at least in a miniscule sense," the old goddess knew full well the sensation he was just starting to feel. "My kind realized that eons ago, sometimes it's more reliable not to read the future, but find the patterns in the past that keep repeating over and over. No matter which choice you made, you joined the supernatural world, manifested your gear and somehow became oddly appealing to the opposite sex."
"No matter what choices…but one."
"I don't want to go," a small blonde child sniffled into the arms of a young auburn-haired woman. The scene had changed to that of a very familiar airport, the buildings of the Vatican disappearing for those belonging to an American-made building. "If I travel around the world, I won't see you again."
"Now now," Ms. Lily tried to comfort him. "This is a great opportunity that you earned, and we could see each other again when you're older and done with school. You'd have learned so much by then."
"Wh-what if I stayed here and learned from you some more?" The young Dorian forced a smile. "I could be your assistant!"
"Oho, that would have avoided quite a lot," Kassaegtha looked amused as Ms. Lily held Dorian tightly with tears in her eyes, walking with him out of the airport. "Becoming an assistant teacher in a normal town, you'd never have even glimpsed Iggy's presence let alone heard a thing about the supernatural world."
"Not being there to help everyone…"
Dorian considered the ramifications while watching the life play out before him. Ms. Lily adopting him, raising him as her own son and showing him the ropes to becoming a teacher, a normal teacher. The years played out in front of him helping more and more children, growing older…he even caught a glimpse of a woman he did not recognize with pale-blonde hair standing beside him at an altar.
"It doesn't matter now." He backed up, the images before him fading to grey mist that he now found himself and Kassaegtha alone surrounded in.
"Doesn't matter? Then what was the point of this little escapade? You know that your girlfriends have been worried sick."
"I know," Dorian looked up seeing the real world which had been fully aware of the entire time. The constant healing sessions from Rossweisse, Le Fay, even Kuroka who he was most surprised at how dedicated and focused she was. Even as they spoke, she was napping by his side snoring peacefully. "But I needed a little perspective."
Kuroka…she could find someone else if that is all she cared about. Maybe I was wrong, she has changed. I should have seen it especially after Kyoto.
"So, no more worrying over every little future that can happen?"
"I'll always worry about the future, that's just human nature. All the same, seeing this, everything that could be, I don't believe that there is one destined or preordained path to happen. We are the sum of our actions, our decisions are what create the future, not fate."
"And if you're wrong?" Dorian thought about that simple question a moment before answering. "And this destined future is supposed to happen by some vague power?"
"Then this destined future will need to look out for itself. I am not going to make any decision or lack thereof to try and make something else happen. I'll live every day the way I wish, this may be a second time around for the world but it's the first for me. For now, I'll live one day at a time, protect and love those near me. Nothing more, nothing less."
"You almost sounded boring for a second," Kassaegtha leaned on thin air floating above him. "You can be selfish in your own way, all humans are. There was this one I nearly got close to a few years ago by the name of Howard Phillips…he was especially adept at understanding my presence. Even more than you. After I erased his memories, he still wrote such delightful tales based on me."
"Maybe you could recommend a few," Dorian could not help but grow intrigued that there were stories that even an Old God could find interesting. "Maybe I could consider another scenario or two."
"Better hurry, that Hero Faction fellow is about to stab you through the heart."
"WHAT!?" Dorian reflexively switched back to his view of the real world seeing a dark-skinned assailant loom over him with a knife drawn. In a flash, he was awake and drawing Twilight Star from the Road Between Realms to impale the would-be killer to the wall. As he awoke to aid his loves defending the tower, the ancient presence shifted into the background to observe as she'd done in the past.
"He fights more ferociously, could you imagine him doing such a move when he first learned of the supernatural?"
"He's had to," Despoina replied as the pair watched from the confines of his mind. "You won't be trying to look into his thoughts while you're in here…right?"
"A deal is a deal," she didn't even turn in the former Mystery Goddess' direction. "I don't pry into his personal space, and you don't tell anyone of my inconspicuous residency here."
Despoina's face warped with guilt. She'd been well aware of Kassaegtha watching Dorian, even hiding in the confines of his subconscious mental landscape but had not said anything. She could not force the Old God out, but there was another thought in the back of her mind that she dared not ask another.
She is swimming in ancient magic, Dorian's mind is saturated with it every time she sets foot in it. My ichor should have faded long ago, but I'm still here more conscious than should be possible. Is it because of her? Is her presence somehow causing me to persist, allowing me to stay longer?
Despoina and Kassaegtha stood in silence side by side watching the events unfolding. Dorian had gained some perspective from his time reflecting within the confines of his mind they had witnessed. While events could have gone so many different ways, they had selected their own through the decisions and choices they made. Whatever end may be awaiting them, they were set on seeing it to the end.
I'll tell Dorian someday how Kassaegtha would come here. If he forgave me for what I did before, perhaps that too. At least the deal kept her from just forcing her way into every avenue of his mind…but I don't want to fade. Not yet.
Sleeping Arrangements…
"Do we really need to go through this?" Thrud asked, grumbling that she had been roped in by the nekoshou member of the Crossroads. She found herself seated on the ground beside Rossweisse and Iggy looking at a chalkboard that had certainly never been in Dorian's room before.
"It's only natural," Kuroka replied haughtily pushing up the fake glasses she was wearing to round out her teacher ensemble, though each were quite certain faculty skirts were not supposed to be so short. "Seeing as I have more 'experience' than the rest of the room combined. This is a rare opportunity that we have the room to ourselves."
With things around the tower having grown relatively calm, the less world-ending missions had come in and the atmosphere was cheerful again. Dorian had departed for his regular visits with Fenrir with a planned stop in Helheim later to reinforce the flames warming the eagle egg. With an opening in his schedule, he'd entered the Roads overburdened with bags of meat and an entire array of movies he thought the goddess of death may enjoy. With how well the girls knew the ruler of Helheim, it was certain he'd be gone for quite some time.
"A rare opportunity for what?" Rossweisse asked, the three women not liking the gleam in her eyes one bit.
"Why, to plan our division of property with Dorian." Kuroka pulled down a chart that depicted him posing dramatically for a High King Poster. The thing that stood out was how each part of his body had been marked off and labeled with one of the women's names. In particular, everything under the waist was listed as hers.
"Rejected," Rossweisse and Thrud crossed their arms together voicing their displeasure. Iggy was a bit slower but mimicked their action immediately upon seeing what they were doing. "He said he is ours and we are his, that means ALL of him."
"Then that falls to Plan B," she pulled down another chart alongside the first with a detailed sleep plan. "In that case, we can set aside designated nights to share his bed. This can allow us to get our own time with him while opening chances for 'mutual interactions' if we wish overlapping hours."
"B-but I'm in Dorian's soul," Iggy raised her hand like a kid in class. "I can just return to his mind and give some privacy."
"But you said you wanted to try being a solid form more often, right?" Rossweisse chimed in. "We even made up a room just for you, I am hesitant to agree with Kuroka, but it could be good to try doing that a few nights a week."
"Precisely!" Kuroka aimed her pointer at them they only then realized was actually a riding crop. "Dorian would also have the option of spending the night in our rooms, give some diversity instead of sleeping in the same giant bed."
"You've put…a lot of work into this," Thrud remarked as Kuroka handed out pamphlets with the schedules. "Wait wait wait, preferred position recommendations?!" She referred to a blank section meant to be filled in only marked 'XXX'. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Sharing is caring?" She winked to them. "It's no fair you and the silver flower have both had a turn while Iggy and I await our own, though being in his head I am sure even she saw a dirty dream or two involving her." Iggy was beet red with steam erupting from her ears as she had her eyes covered looking at the pages though peered through a slit between her fingers. "I put a few potential ideas, but you two MUST share what was…popular."
"I…I could never discuss that!" Rossweisse blurted out after several moments of her mouth flopping open and closed. "It was a tender, magical moment that we shared through the night."
"Through the night?" Kuroka was already writing in her pamphlet. "So, he has stamina to spare? Good to know his limitations, or lack thereof."
"Well, he has SOME limits," Thrud looked absolutely proud of herself. "You just have to really push to reach them. He is good at adapting to the situation; I am guessing you didn't break anything when you were with him?" Rossweisse quickly shook her head, blushing hard imagining Thrud's encounter.
"I am soooo jealous!" Kuroka slumped into her makeshift desk. "This is the longest I've been in a man's bed without him trying ANYTHING. How is that even possible!? I mean, I see him look at this!" She motioned to her entire body.
"Because Dorian isn't that kind of guy. The first time has to be just right to be the most meaningful." Iggy smiled sweetly, maintaining her innocence through Kuroka's best tactics. "Um, I noticed the sleep schedule is uneven."
"Hey, yea!" Thrud stood up. "Why do YOU get an extra day every week?"
"Well, if you do the math, you see there are four of us, but seven days in a week. So, to keep things consistent one of us should sleep in his bed every Sunday. I hear it's an important day in America for rest so there is…extra time in bed. And since I'm the one who organized this…"
"OR!" Rossweisse raised her voice, the others not seeing she'd been writing in her pamphlet. "We simply do rotating schedules every four days regardless of the number of days in the week. If one of us is on a mission or otherwise unable to be home on an assigned day then it can be swapped with another's at a later date.
"It makes sense," Iggy chimed in, nibbling on the bowl of pretzels in the middle of the table left for snacks. "And is very fair, Dorian likes being able to focus on one at a time but will multitask if he needs to."
"And how would you know that?" Kuroka asked with a raised eyebrow. "You two haven't…?"
"No," she admitted immediately. "But I've been with him his entire life. I try to give him his privacy, but I couldn't help but learn certain things of his…preferences." The room became silent as all eyes fell on Iggy, the woman immediately becoming self-conscious. Lowering her head a bit, she tried to get out of the center of attention. "I-it's no big deal," she tried to rationalize. "I…"
Suddenly, there was a small meal in front of her courtesy of Rossweisse while Thrud was pouring her a big glass of grape juice, her favorite, with Kuroka having closed the distance in a flash. She turned a light on Iggy like one of the old spy flicks she'd seen on television during an interrogation. Leaning close, she lowered her voice to barely an audible whisper, Thrud and Rossweisse flanking her.
"We're going to need details."
"LOTS of details," Thrud was currently adjusting the chair to make sure Iggy was as comfortable as possible.
"A-and it won't leave this room?" She asked hesitantly glancing between the others.
"None but those he says 'I love you' to will ever hear it," Rossweisse swore, Thrud nodding as they both stared over at Kuroka accusingly.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. Why would I want to give out the goods to anyone else? I'm very selfish like that."
"Funny, I thought giving up the goods was kind of your thing?" Thrud and Kuroka locked eyes with a glare, a spark of electricity firing between them.
"Well!" Iggy shouted in order to draw their attention back to her and avoid any confrontation. "I know he's always liked seeing people he loves smile. He will work very hard to ensure that. S-so foreplay is very important for him…"
Two Hours Later…
"So that sort of outfit does pique his i-interest," Iggy concluded, her face cupped in her hands as her energy seemed spent.
She was embarrassed, but not so much as when she started. The food in front of her was gone and drinks drained dry. Thrud, Rossweisse and Kuroka were scattered each in their own corner processing the information having just been provided. The young woman had seen them scribbling notes the entire time and their pamphlets were now quite full. They were all flushed, breathing heavy and she could barely hear them whispering to each other.
"Foreplay for hours…"
"Laser-focused attentiveness…"
"He likes taking charge," Kuroka was practically drooling. "And who knew he had such fascinating interests," she looked over the outfit descriptions Iggy had given. "So, this gold bikini was in a movie about wars in space? I'll have to check out THAT one next chance I get. And you know his body in such detail!"
"I had no idea Dorian could be so…"
"…perverted?" Thrud grinned at her embarrassed friend. "Nothing wrong with indulging every now and again in private. Imagine his self-control, he never lets this kind of information out."
"And you two had a taste of it, plus those nights you sneak away. Don't think I didn't notice!" Kuroka looked to be fuming with frustration. "He's saving all of that just for whoever he loves? Jackpot! Next mission, I'm going with him!"
"What does a mission have to do with this?" Rossweisse wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
"It's a pattern," she explained with a flip of her tails. "He lost his arm on a mission and confessed to you, then he went berserk and nearly killed Thrud before confessing to her. Lastly, he had that trip to the future and now he and Iggy are an item. Therefore, considering he's already invited me in, if I go on enough dangerous missions with him, it's only a matter of time before it's my turn!"
"I…don't think it works like that," Thrud tried to rationalize but couldn't deny the pattern having formed. "The next mission won't be for a while now, so we can stick to the issues today."
"Sleeping schedules," Rossweisse produced a new page she had made adjusting for an even distribution. "I believe you will find the new options fair but with room for adjustment if needed." Even Iggy took one, looking it over thoroughly. "We each spend a night at a time as you suggested barring any 'deals' made to double up in addition to all of us together on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. Saturday as well may be a suitable day for us all to be together."
"That's so like you. Rose made our schedules when we were in Valkyrie school," Thrud bragged. "I like it, plus her word pretty much is law. She and Dorian loved each other first, if she had said the word, we would never have gotten to be here with them. If Dorian cares about you that way too, your time will come. Trust me, it's worth the wait."
Kuroka just looked at her a few moments processing the information given. With an acceptance, she nodded and took a seat, her tails swaying back and forth behind the chair. For a split second, they thought she may actually contemplate how she acted, but after a moment she merely leaned back grinning ear to ear at them.
"Make it even better by waiting as long as possible? I like the way you think, Thigh Queen. Who knows, the sleep schedule may fix itself if we get two more comers." Iggy just about spit out her drink at the insinuation. "Or maybe he'll go for nine and make it line up with the number of those realms you're always talking about.
"D-Dorian wouldn't just go after anyone for the sake of numbers," Rossweisse insisted with crossed arms. "I haven't seen any others looking at him that way."
"Haven't you now?" The nekoshou picked up a stress ball on the table and chucked it at the door as hard as she could. The blow hit the knob at the exact position to turn it slightly. In a flash, the door flew open as two women spilled out into the bedroom clearly having been listening at the door. All went silent as the pair picked themselves up, the young angel and Agares heiress looking very guilty.
"H-hi Kuroka-chan," Irina scratched the back of her head awkwardly as Seekvaira adjusted her glasses unnecessarily. "Funniest story, we were just having a normal day when we found this pamphlet laying on the ground…"
"Well then," Kuroka's teasing smile was wider than they'd ever seen. "Perhaps you can hold onto those pamphlets. It seems like you may need them someday."
That makes six, she knew for certain despite their excuses to leave quickly while keeping the pamphlets. One day with each of us and one where we are all together...I quite like the sound of that arrangement. Now to hurry and get those two to admit it, should be an easy enough task.
From the Beginning…
"You are definitely improving," Rossweisse complimented Issei after class. "The paper was well formulated and your grades have been going up. I can confidently say that you will have no difficulty graduating at this pace. Have you considered your plans for after you do?"
"Get into college I suppose," the devil Pawn leaned back in his chair thinking before seeing her glare and immediately putting his seat back on all fours. Kuoh Academy had education levels of all kinds, so he could just transition to their college facilities. "In the Underworld, I'm set for life with the proceeds of the Oppai Dragon show and I'll be busy helping Rias while working my way up to High-Class Devil. When that happens, I can work more on my hare…on living there full-time." He changed his tune again remembering who he was talking to. "Will my life in the human world matter as much?"
"If you wish to keep connections," the Valkyrie teacher tried to impart her wisdom. "You have become more prominent in devil society already, but that doesn't mean you should wholly leave humanity behind. You have time, but I would think on it.
I joined the Crossroads after all but did not leave Asgard wholly behind. Having more than one place to call home is reassuring.
"And while I may not be privy to the details of your personal life, if you are set on all the women who love you...use this time to get used to living with them in such a way. You almost died after all, I know for a fact that such events can make one take things far more seriously."
Why am I talking about something so inappropriate to him so casually!?
Issei nodded as he left the meeting to a waiting Asia more than a little surprised at how comfortable Rossweisse gave the last bit of advice chalking it up to her present situation with Dorian. With him out of sight, Rossweisse finally had a chance to release her pent up breath and relax. He was the last of her class doing preliminary meetings on their futures. More would come, but it was nice to be done for the day. Making sure that no one was around, she reached into her drawer pulling out a simple but well-drawn manga with characters resembling Dorian and Kiba on the cover.
"B-but Isa is coming, Darian-kun!" The blonde student pulled dramatically on the shoulder of one who he saw as closer than a brother. "If he sees us together..."
"He'll understand there is room for more in my heart, Koba-kun," Darian replied back while stroking his cheek affectionately. "Just as I know there is more in..."
"Have I ever said how much you glow when teaching others?" The unexpected voice of Dorian came from behind as he emerged through a portal in the chalkboard just as she turned to a double-page spread of Darian and Koba kissing one another passionately. It was obvious he'd been awaiting in the Roads for her to be done, bouquet of flowers in hand. Rossweisse jumped a foot, slamming the manga back into the desk unintentionally drawing his attention to it. "What was that?"
"NOTHING!" The silver-haired teacher's face was bright but her drive to not be caught outstripped her embarrassment. Y-you may have mentioned it several times, but no reason to stop," she stuttered out while accepting the bundle of white roses. "You know, you have to answer the same question. What is your plan?"
"I'm not sure I have one here in the human world," Dorian sat in the seat Issei had just been and pondered. "The Crossroads are growing and I'll be needed there. I did want to be a teacher, but there will be little time. Like how you are a teacher, a Valkyrie but also wanted that shop."
"Ahhhh," Rossweisse sighed contentedly recalling her guilty pleasure dream. "Imagine, items of all sorts as far as the eye can see affordable by anyone with even the stingiest budget."
"Not enough days in the year," he had to admit. "Even if we will live longer than normal humans, every moment needs to be seized. Who knows, maybe after the worst of the enemies we've been fighting have been beaten there'll be some extra time for our personal dreams. Speaking of seizing moments, would you like to go someplace?"
"…huh?" Rossweisse had been daydreaming of her shop and what she'd call it that it barely registered what Dorian had said. "Go where?"
Later that evening…
"Dorian…it's!"
"The Wolf's Sacrifice," he finished while taking her hand and walking through the front door. The old bar was just as she remembered it. After changing into the dress Dorian had made her in Kyoto and donning the simple silver ring he'd given next to the dazzling draupnir, he'd blindfolded and led her through the Roads. It was not until they arrived at the front door that he'd revealed where they were. "It's been a while since we got to come around."
"Fer that you owe me at least a dozen drinks tonight!" The older grizzled bartender roared with a pep in his voice. "Don't think I didna notice yer absence since you moved to Midgard. But I'm a kind soul fer the bells of love so I set up my finest table!"
Dorian shot a thank you salute as he and Rossweisse walked towards a relatively ornate table in a private corner of the back past the ruckus of the front. Dorian had donned his old Asgardian tunic now supplemented by an imposing fur lining that worked with his improved physique. Pulling the chair out, he got Rossweisse seated before taking a spot across from her.
"I did not know they had a menu like this," she admitted while looking over the selections that sounded delicious. "I only ever had a drink after a hard day working for Odin, and their prices have always been so fair!"
I could have reserved the finest restaurant in Asgard for her, but she'd have felt it was too frugal of purchases. Why does knowing that make me love her all the more?
"For the Lord and Lady," a waiter dressed more casually as their bar normally did not have any, dramatically swooped in to fill their glasses with water. He offered wine, but Rossweisse shook her head not wanting to lose control of herself for even a moment that night. "The boar was hunted fresh this morning." It was clear that he was doing this as a favor all the while trying to do his best impression of waiters from fancier establishments.
"Thank you," Dorian nodded to him asking for more time to select their meals before turning to the silver Valkyrie. "I know you've been away from Asgard for a while, thought you may like to return for a bit." They had gone out eating on small dates ever since he had confessed, but until then had mostly stuck to restaurants in Kuoh Town. Japanese food wasn't bad, but to the Einherjar was a far cry from what he'd enjoyed in the Nine Realms.
"Asgard will always be where I grew up," she assured him, leaning forward to look into his eyes. "But the Crossroads Tower is my home now. I don't know how long we'll remain centered in Kuoh Town, but as long as we are I will consider it where I belong."
"That is such a good outlook," he loved how much she smiled while speaking with him. "I grew up in a little town in the United States, maybe we'll get to go there sometime. Asgard though, it was the first place where I set foot into the supernatural. Maybe we could a house here someday."
"A-a-a house?!" Rossweisse's composure suddenly cracked at the mention of such an act. "I mean, becoming a true homeowner is a big step. The tower is technically owned by the Greater Alliance and built by the Gremory Family. If we got a…a house together…"
"Just a thought," Dorian held in his chuckling at how worked up she got about it, taking any plans for the future so seriously. "Although, it'll have to bigger than expected." He unexpectedly reached forward and took her hand. "I know we have…more company than either of us thought, but that doesn't detract from how I feel in the slightest."
"I know it doesn't," she squeezed his hand in reassurance. "If I believed it did for even a moment, I wouldn't be here. I can see why they feel for you the same as I do and would never hold it against them. I love you Dorian, and that will never change."
"I love you too," he kissed her hand with a growing sense of relief. He wouldn't lie about the feelings he had for Thrud, Iggy and unexpectedly, Kuroka, but always knew that Rossweisse held a special place in his heart. Above all else, he never wanted any to feel lesser next to the others. He swore in his head long ago to ensure each felt like they were the luckiest woman in the world.
"Our..." she paused to choose her words, "...situation is not what I ever dreamed when imagining the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. All the same, I know we can make it work. You, Thrud, Iggy, even Kuroka…we all care about the same thing now. That is a bond that is not easily broken."
Even if others come to you, Dorian, how could they not? Even then, I will always love you.
"Are the Lord and Lady ready to order?" The waiter returned with a polite bow. "Perhaps you would like to defend your old title, we have quite the rowdy bunch up front." He spoke with restrained sarcasm considering how lower-brow the bar was for him to be playing the role of polite waiter.
"Rowdy you say?" Dorian looked to the front seeing Einherjar and Valkyries screaming at each other proclaiming one's beauty or superiority to the other. It brought back fond memories of the flyting that what among the first sparks of affection he showed to Rossweisse. "Want to defend the title?"
"While we wait for the food," Rossweisse calculated as they just started ordering. "That sounds wonderful."
A little later…
"I don't remember the lights being so bright this way," Rossweisse held Dorian's arm as they walked through the streets of Asgard. Having defeated all comers before enjoying a wonderful meal, they were practically beaming with joy before stepping out into the cool air.
"Well, last time you were a little drunk," she playfully slapped his arm at the incorrigible grin he could not resist. "You were so light," Dorian felt warm recalling the walk home with a drunk Rossweisse clinging lovingly to his back as he carried her. "And the next morning you thought that we had…"
"I wouldn't mind that anymore," she clung to him a bit tighter leaning up against him to feel his strong arm. "We can stay out all night."
"I wasn't here as long as I'd have liked," Dorian motioned all around them. "It's where I met you."
The walking couple came to the top of a small hill overlooking a sizeable portion of the golden city beyond. Even with all he'd seen, Dorian was still amazed by the unique architecture compared to anything he'd seen on Earth, Midgard. Rossweisse tilted her head confused as Dorian seemed to be glancing left and right.
"What is wrong?"
"Waiting to be ambushed, or called for duty, or…well, we have been interrupted quite often." That reply warranted a chuckle from Rossweisse who took the side of his head and turned him to face her.
"Then we shouldn't waste any time." With that last word, they shared a deep kiss that lasted longer than either planned. No ambush, no last second mission, nothing interrupted them that evening.
"Right here."
"Right here?" Dorian was confused by Rossweisse's sudden announcement. He did not have a chance to ask again as a burst of light drew his attention. In the distance, a ripple seemed to pass through the sky turning night into an ethereal rainbow-effect that reminded him of the Aurora Borealis. He was so transfixed on the new sight before him that Rossweisse decided to explain.
"The Bifrost was used much less when you were here so it was a rare sight. Sometimes at night when I was studying I'd see the gate open which causes that effect with the excess magic bled off into the sky. From what Brynhildr has been telling me, it fires a lot more often that day. They have the Crossroads to thank for that. So what I mean was…right here is where we could have a house someday. It has the perfect view."
"Rose, you…" He had no other words before embracing her again. "We can stay here as long as you like. We probably can't go back too soon anyway or we'll wake the others," he had started considering the ramifications of having so many in the same bed.
"Well, about that," Rossweisse tried to hide the blush and incorrigible smile that would have made Ratatoskr a proud man. "The others came to recent…sleeping arrangements between us. Tonight, I have you all to myself in your bed. Also…"
Dorian's jaw dropped as she summoned a glass into her hand she'd kept safe within a magical dimension. Clearly wine, she downed it in a single gulp, throwing away the glass to shatter on the ground as she looked up into Dorian's eyes with a lustful expression as her inhibitions fell away from a single shot.
"Yher comig home with me tonight…hic. I donht want to hold back anything! I haf a vew sound canchelling spellsh I can cast on our room!"
A little post I wanted to make, I'm still not back to regular updates, but will be releasing more laid back chapters like this until the next arc. I hope everyone enjoyed this experiment with multiple shorter stories rather than one flowing downtime chapter. I worked in a few ideas I had pre-Roots of Hope for the first story, a little glimpse into what Dorian could have been before I decided on the story we have. :)
If you enjoy this format, I could use it later for a sort of anthology-like arc before the Khaos Brigade comes back to wreck things. Next time, a certain Egyptian menace known to canon will be showing his face tied to Seekvaira's family. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D