CourtMageMerlin: Thank you! I totally get that, they are super fun to make. If I could, I just have their adventures like this XD. Maybe after the main plots are resolved...
Divine Blizzard: Haha, exactly. Each of the four have had their turns, now they can be comfortable around one another. And I am glad you like that, every character deserves proper development, Issei is no exception. :)
MangoWinner26: Oh nonono, not ending. Just this current arc will be ending, still plenty more to go. ;)
Guest1: I hope you like what I have planned on that particular front, a little something to stimulate growth in Issei rather than him relying on power-ups given from others. Irina is definitely becoming more comfortable with the others, it's all about finding that solution she needs considering she's an angel. I'll keep in mind you like the additional OVA stories, and thank you so much! I most certainly will :D
runelt99: Precisely, that last fragment that was inside the green orb. He won't last long, but wants to help where he can...and definitely would be confusing seeing the differences from Roots and the world he knows.
ahsoei: Depends what you considering heart to heart, but their hospital talk in Chapter 51 is probably the earliest.
fanficcyberman: That would be a cute idea, different reactions to each kind. They'd have to keep an eye on her LOL. Oof, imagine if the other women are fans of the vines...it would help with all at once. XD Well, I am sure Iggy would be more than happy to make acid-resistant ones if the slime girl has trouble controlling herself. It really means a lot you enjoyed the chapter and the love scene, those ones in particular I try to get just right. Thank you for understanding the slower nature of the updates. If I could 100% focus on this only, I totally would. I have been doing well and hope the same is true for you, my friend. :)
GRUndertaker: Well, in a way Ratatoskr fills the role of a familiar even if he won't admit it. Though official familiars are more a devil thing rather than Norse.
avenger3576: 4 confirmed, 2 hinted indeed ;) As for the maze, I can't give that kind of info as I did intend it to play a smaaaalllll bit of inspiration later for Dorian. ;)
OBSERVER01: Haven't seen Konosuba in years tbh LOL. It's the closest Iggy can get to sending enemies after her friends. As for Juzo, you were right on the latter guess. That green orb Dorian gave to Issei had more than just power in it.
Shadow King: Awwww, thank you! Alone with just the two surrounded by nature, just as Iggy would love it. They'll be working towards that, sharing the bed once a week is one thing...taking action with everyone in it is another ;) Exactly, at first it was more for healing purposes, but now that isn't needed, but the women wouldn't want to be anywhere else. :)
Okaze: Exactly, a sort of evolved slime that has hidden for years no one has seen before outside stories. She isn't broken strong or anything, but is more than able to help against most of the enemies they face and wants to learn all she can from Issei. Also XD Indeed, Iggy especially needed that little kick to get in gear.
Chidoriprime: Yea, imagine a girl that can split into multiple forms...Issei has a larger harem without realizing it XD. Rat finding out he's technically Iggy's father...might switch from telling Dorian "Go right ahead" to "How dare you sleep wtih my girl!" LOL. And you better believe it. Now that Kuroka knows there's a loophole, she'll help Irina widen it XD
Ragna126: Thank you so much! :D
Dragonx411: I love seeing your synopsis :D, I sent a full reply to you via PM as usual. I know it's too bad about the downtime chapters ending, but the plot must go on haha. Not to worry as those moments will still come. ;)
Hollowreaper 93: It's about time, no more waiting XD As for who is next...depends on the one who confesses to Dorian who he also cares for. :D
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"We don't do this enough-nya, just lean back and relax."
"I don't think any man could relax in this situation," Dorian remarked. Despite his words, he could not stop smiling.
The Einherjar found himself in the middle of the Crossroad bath reserved for the original members. He was sitting up in the center with Iggy planted on his lap, Thrud and Rossweisse on each arm with Kuroka leaning purposefully hard into his back so he could feel her breasts pressing against him. What had originally started as a legitimate wish to clean himself had turned into the girls acclimating to their current arrangement with all having confessed their love to Dorian and he to them. That, and the thing they all had in common was that they had each spent at least one night alone with him.
"How do you like our technique-nya?" Kuroka purred into his ear. "The others were surprisingly good at it."
"Not our first bath together naked," Thrud teased while rubbing Dorian's arm and chest up and down. "I recall our first was a lot more physical."
"Oho, did you beat us to the punch?"
"No, Lady Freyja was watching, Rossweisse too." Kuroka was grinning from ear to ear at the development of her particular wording.
"We were wrestling," Dorian clarified. "Thrud stole my towel and I wanted it back."
"And I missed it," Rossweisse admitted with disappointment in her voice recalling to how out of it she'd been from the steam. "Not this time," she squeezed tighter while meticulously washing him. "We have nothing else for the rest of the evening, just us."
"You do realize that I'll have to return the favor," Dorian said in a moment of boldness. "It's only fair."
"I-I can go first then," Iggy took charge of the moment being the one sitting on his lap. "I think you should start with my ch-chest!"
"Atta girl-nya!" Kuroka cheered. "Give em a good squeeze, but save enough for the rest of us. We aren't leaving until we're all squeaky clean."
"I-it's only good hygiene," Rossweisse rationalized while nuzzling closer.
How did I ever get so lucky? They've been even more forward ever since the Underworld attack. Are they like me in thinking we need to make every moment count? We've all spent a night together, so that connection is stronger than ever. With an inhalation, Dorian reached around Iggy to grip a breast in each hand. The daughter of Yggdrasil let out a short gasp that he'd actually done it. There was no reason to hold back when they were alone.
"Just like that dream you had last month." She recalled one of the naughtier fantasies she had viewed Dorian having in his sleep uncertain if even he remembered it. The remark caught the entire group by surprise.
"Wait, which drea…"
"DORIAN HELD! THE TIME HAS COME!"
Oh no…not again!
The waters rippled brushing the women to the corners of the bath, the waves around Dorian freezing into ice as a portal opened just above him. Unable to move, the Einherjar who was naked save for a towel that had frozen over him looked up into the familiar face of one of the few people he'd given permission to teleport within the tower's confines.
"Lady Hela! What are you doing!?" He blurted out while breaking free. "This is…!"
"No time!" She reached through and grabbed his arm. "The egg stirs and needs its father, I…" It was only then she seemed to comprehend his state of undress and the four women standing around who had jumped at the ready despite being utterly naked. "Oh…I-I see. B-be that as it may, the egg is hatching so there is not a moment to waste. If you all could be a dear and pack a few things for Dorian, I'll return him as soon as the child is born." With that last word, she pulled hard tugging Dorian into the Helheim portal which closed instantly behind them leaving the women standing there confused.
"I…what? What just happened?"
"Hela decided to commit suicide, that's what happened," Thrud summoned Gullbjorn to her hands from elsewhere in the tower. She was quite the sight standing there without any clothes yet wielding the legendary weapon crackling with power reflecting her own frustration. "Rose, open us a portal to Helheim's gates!"
"Please don't!" Iggy jumped forward as the voice of reason despite the clearly aggravated and flushed expression on her face. "Didn't you hear what she said? A new life is being born into the world. Hraesvelgr's child is coming!"
Helheim…
"It's time?" Dorian leaned closer to the egg that was rustling back and forth within its nest. A slight crack had formed on the exterior but otherwise it was hard to tell anything had changed. Fortunately, a change of clothes had been provided so that he did not freeze from wearing only a towel. The tunic looked to be a variant of the Asgardian one he'd grown accustomed to. "Is the food ready?"
Hela motioned to a sizeable stack of raw meat prepared well in advance that she had even seasoned. Between the goddess of death and Dorian, they had researched caring for infant eagles ever since Loki's attempt to destroy the realm. While she was quite familiar with its father, Hraesvelgr, she had not been around when he had been born. It was a new experience for them both.
"Maybe just a poke," she offered, leaning forward as if wanting to break the egg open herself. "The poor thing must want out so badly."
"Best not," Dorian gently seized her hand before it could get closer. "It helps strengthen the child for them to break out on their own." He now had a large book they kept on hand and was reading aloud. "It will be fine in there as it takes several days to break out…wait, days!?"
"Oh, it takes that long?" Hela shifted awkwardly even as her body altered between an old and young woman as was part of her physiology. "I thought it was a bit more immediate than that."
"Ya jumped the gun!" Ratatoskr wailed from a high shelf. Upon hearing that Dorian had been absconded with to Helheim, he'd asked Yggdrasil to open a path to join him. "Ya couldn't have waited like three hours, maybe four knowing boss man's proclivity for that stamina fire of Hestia!? He was THIS close to a- "
The extraplanar rodent was silenced as the ice beneath him moved up, encasing him totally so only the tip of his tail was still free. Hela huffed at the inappropriate insinuations she knew were quite true having seen the condition of the five in the bath.
"Then you just need to remain here for a few days until that happens. Accommodations are already being made, the first to be seen by this new child MUST be you and I."
"To imprint on us?" Dorian recalled the passage from the book.
"Precisely," Hela looked so happy with the thought in her head. "The first seen by the new eagle, OH!" She suddenly started acting nervous. "What about a name? I have so many options but haven't settled on one. And what if he doesn't accept us due to not being eagles? Maybe..."
"It's going to be okay," Dorian tried to calm her, feeling very awkward yet reassured at the same time. "Just breathe…"
Katerea's child, now the eagle. So many of the next generation are being born. Dorian mused internally, that thought making him feel at ease.
He'd heard how Hela had truly hated receiving the post of ruling Helheim which led to the more jaded side he saw during his first visit. Ever since she confronted Loki and the time since caring for the fledgling egg, the Einherjar was glad to see a light in her eyes. It almost had seemed to transfer to the land itself as while it was still cold and dark, the sun shined in a little brighter and there was a lot more activity. Where the castle was nearly deserted before, now many bustled back and forth making sure all was tidy. Helheim may have been for those who did not die honorably in battle, but they endured all the same in their afterlife of complacency.
"Well, if we have a few days…" Hela started thinking hard. "Think of this like a vacation just for you. Unfortunately, I cannot show you the grand tour of my realm as without Hræsvelgr's winds, we have had to evacuate the edges of our territory. Once the child takes up the post, with luck the winds will be able to slowly restore what we have lost. Are there any activities you enjoy during winter on Midgard?"
"Well," Dorian cupped his chin deep in thought. "There are a few I learned to like since coming to Asgard."
Crossroad Tower…
"Any word yet?" Rossweisse tapped her board feeling as if time was passing in slow motion.
"I believe if there is that you'll be the first to know," Akeno giggled at how concerned the Valkyrie was being. "It may be a few days."
"I suppose," she sighed while leaning back in her seat. "If only Hela allowed more than just him to go there before the egg hatches. Just imagine how the baby eagle will look. It gives such ideas." She glanced towards the kitchen, Zepar standing behind the counter stroking the flames on the dinner he was cooking for his and Akeno's night in. "Zepar knows how to cook?"
"Jealous? He's quite good at it," she winked with a smile. "I didn't even know until a few days ago when Asia and Hecuba were out at dinner. You should try his natto and crab."
"I wouldn't want to impose," Rossweisse tried to excuse herself. "The only visitor today is an emissary of Vanaheim to go over 'future prospects.' How vague," she mused, realizing the meeting had been thrown together last minute without any real details. "After that, I'll be going out with Thrud."
Akeno smirked at Rossweisse, her thoughts an open book to her.
"We have Hecuba, Asia, Mrs. Hyoudou and now Zepar. Perhaps if they join forces, Dorian can actually learn how to…"
The alarm advising of an incoming Bifrost Bridge activation caused her to check her watch, realizing the visitor would be arriving soon. With a polite bow, she took her leave heading to the entryway to greet them, missing Zepar returning with the meal and a peck on the cheek for Akeno.
So, this eagle will be Dorian's first child in a way if it imprints on him as the father. I've never taken care of animals, maybe Hela will let us help after it is born. And in the future, Dorian and I can…WHAT?
Rossweisse's thoughts had gone blank as she stepped into the room and spotted the visitor having arrived through the Bifrost already. The silver-grey hair and blue dress revealed she in fact knew them, and was not prepared mentally for such an encounter finding her mouth flopping open and closed without making a sound.
"Well now Rose," Göndul tutted to her granddaughter. "Is that all you have to say at my arrival? I heard the young Dorian was away so felt it was the best time for a talk in private. Do you have any meal prepared? I am famished from a long day."
"G-g-granny?" She fell back into her method of speech around the woman who raised her most. "What are you doing here? The Vanaheim visitor…?"
"Is me, of course. Really dear, you are so busy nowadays that setting up and official meeting was the only way I could get ahold of you. Come now, let's find a nice place to talk. The lack of recent updates I've received have become QUITE concerning…"
Kuoh Academy Student Council Chambers…
"The craftsmanship is…immaculate," Shinra Tsubaki had to admit as she looked over one of Kiba's knights made in her likeness.
Xenovia was doing the same beside her with a construct of her own. Kiba was not there but had left behind a copy of each as the two women wanted to see more of his tribute to them. The pair stood like statues in the backroom where Sona Sitri and her peerage could convene on issues of the academy or when they needed a place to retreat to rest.
"He takes his training so seriously," Xenovia smiled at Kiba's dedication. "We should have something nice for him when he's done."
"I have made reservations at a nice restaurant for dinner," Tsubaki remarked while measuring the bust and height of her knight ensuring Kiba's constructs were accurate. "Perhaps afterwards we can settle in with a nice movie?"
With Kiba training with Thrud, her testing her mettle against an army of his creation, the others had remained at the school. Behind the two women, the rest of her peerage minus Sona herself lounged around after deciding on rulings for the day. Saji especially was focused intently in his double chess match with Ruruko Nimura and Momo Hanakai.
"You could try playing just one at a time," Ruruko offered nervously as the Black Dragon pawn's head had developed a vein she was certain would pop at any moment.
"Indeed," Momo agreed. "It would not do to hurt yourself."
"Not a chance," Saji seemed to almost be trying to meditate as he chose his moves. "No offense, but neither of you two are even half of Sona when it comes to chess. If I can't beat both of you at the same time, I am sure as shit not standing a chance against her one on one. Check."
"And checkmate, sorry," Ruruko moved her pawn forward to corner his king in a move he had wholly missed.
"And mate for me too," Momo did a similar move with her Rook. The young devil Pawn fell to his knees in defeat.
"I was getting better…"
"You are!" Tsubasa Yura insisted as she slapped him on the back a little too hard. "But splitting your focus is bound to hamper your skill. If only you had more time."
"More time…that's it!" Saji fist bumped so hard he nearly hit his teammate. "Dorian's road root thing has a time dilation, doesn't it? What if I asked him to let me use it and practice? I could get WAY more time."
He really cares about her, Momo thought to herself, glancing to Ruruko with a sigh. How ironic that the very dedication to her is what makes him so…
"I wouldn't be coming as close as I am if it weren't for you two," Saji clasped hers and Ruruko's hands without warning. "You are both the best; I really mean that." The Bishop and Pawn turned red at how he was looking at them, the sincerity behind his words igniting their interest in him all the greater.
"Mr. Azazel did ask for us to assist with his research into the Artificial Sacred Gears, did he not?" Tsubaki interrupted while still eyeing Kiba's craftmanship. "If we can do so within the Road Between Realms, I am sure he would give a few pointers. After all, he is known as a genius. Perhaps he knows some tactics Sona would not foresee."
"Hey, that's right! He's spending so much time with Issei; I deserve a chance at his crazy smarts too. Plus, he promised something for us helping, right?"
"Maybe a way to get stronger," Tsubasa kicked at empty air for emphasis. "He gave you the Vritra soul-parts, made those inventions and Dorian's arm. A bit of danger testing these new Gears is worth it. I say bring it! Maybe I can last against Dorian in a duel…"
"Are you kidding, he'd trounce you," Tomoe teased, jumping on the Rooks shoulders from behind.
"But he'd look great doing it," Yura sighed with a smile picturing such a spar. "He's gotten so strong, the stronger the opponent, the more he shows off. What if he and Issei fought? With his Red Dragon powers…"
"Short of another Rating Game exhibition, there is little chance of that," the voice of their leader, Sona Sitri, interrupted them having entered the room. Saji and Momo quickly stashed away the chessboards before she could spot them. "I hope everyone is being productive with this lull in unsavory activity across the school?"
"We sure are!" Saji insisted, drawing nods from the rest of the peerage. "Just preparing ourselves for helping Azazel's experiment."
"I see, it will be an interesting opportunity. We will of course ensure these tests of his are safe, I will not risk your safety. If this works, we'll be able to help stand against the Khaos Brigade better than before." The image of her team struggling against the Underworld attack had latched onto Sona's mind. She didn't care for power like other devil families, however, seeing that the lack of it would put her team in danger had given her a newfound interest in it. "Saji, as a current Sacred Gear user, you will be the one to make sure everyone acclimates properly. Is that understood."
"Yes ma'am!" he saluted straight as an arrow. "Next stop…Grigori HQ!"
While they go to the Grigori, Xenovia mused to herself as they summoned a portal, perhaps Kiba would like one more partner for his practice against Thrud...
Aboard the Nagalfr…
"I don't understand, this metal allows the ship to harness magic that should disintegrate it! Keeping it afloat in the sky seems to drain almost no energy, could it be a property of the design? And that shield, being able to absorb so much punishment would deplete even our best energy sources in seconds, yet it took multiple hits from the Jabberwocky to finally damage it, what if…?"
"Um, Ms. Seekvaira, please don't forget to breathe," Irina tried to calm the Agares heiress who had been bouncing from one end of the vessel to the other for what seemed like hours. Dorian was supposed to be there to go over the Nagalfr with her, but with him in Helheim, Irina had gone in his place. "There is a lot of ship to cover."
"Way ahead of you," she revealed a strange device strapped to her wrist covered in blinking lights and buttons. "I am pretty sure this place is bigger on the inside, so I brought a few helpers."
Flying onto the deck of the ship, dozens of the same robots that had helped repel the Hero Faction at the tower landed before the two women. They looked identical to gunpla, models of popular mobile suits, or robots, which Seekvaira had more than enough time to repair and make many more than they ever imagined. Irina's eyes were wide as she looked at them all noticing they differed from each other in style, design and color so that few were identical.
"Okay everyone," she pointed out among the masses with conviction. "Have your scanners running to detect EVERYTHING. If there is a drop of dust unaccounted for, I will be most displeased. Now…let's go!"
She's like their mom, Irina barely stifled a giggle at how they looked as the tiny robots scattered in all directions across the deck and into the entryways nearby. Seekvaira herself started analyzing the old-style steering wheel that Iggy had used to fly the Nagalfr into battle.
"Wow, you can see everything from up here, look." Irina pointed down seeing what looked like a small army of knights battling one strawberry-blonde warrior.
Far below, among the outdoor fields of the Crossroad tower, they could see Thrud battling dozens of Kiba's knight constructs. Rotating between Gullbjorn, Heracles' bow and even her bare hands, the daughter of Thor did not let up as she smashed each one without mercy bouncing to the next like a graceful dance. As quickly as she destroyed them, the devil Knight made more, the perfect gauntlet training that Thrud could not get enough of.
"It's a good thing the barrier blocks normal people from seeing this," the young angel pointed out over the streets and bustling cars of their neighbors trying to make conversation. "Right?" Seekvaira did not reply as it was apparent, she was too enamored with her task. Irina sighed wistfully.
She's a devil, I'm an angel, what am I doing? Issei is different, I know him…but she's someone new though we've been working together for the Crossroads. But if I can't even talk to her, how can I test if my efforts in Heaven have been fruitful?
"Penny for your thoughts?" Irina's wings exploded from her back in surprise before realizing it was just Le Fay who had materialized beside her. "I don't think Dorian would like seeing you frown."
"I was frowning?" Irina was genuinely concerned she hadn't noticed. "D-definitely not, I was just thinking. That's all."
"There isn't a thing between you two, is there? That devil/angel rivalry?"
"I don't think so," the chestnut-haired teenager glanced back to Seekvaira. "But there is that tension, it is…hard sometimes to overlook all the things I was taught about devils. I've even been working on adjusting the Heaven System."
"That is amazing you can do that!" Le Fay's upbeat side was clearly in control, a welcome sight after how shaken she was after returning from the future. "Before we ran away, our parents felt that Arthur might be able to do that. He went with Lord Michael to the upper floor but came back really soon. I don't think it worked for him."
"I don't believe it truly worked for anyone before I tried," Irina answered softly, feeling the disappointment in Le Fay's voice at her brother's inability to do what she now attempted. "It seems to require a combination of a human AND angel aspects. So, in a way, we have Ajuka sharing the Piece System to thank for helping bring about our father's plan. Arthur is amazing, there is no doubt of that. He can wield holy swords better than I can even hope to. My dad always said we each have our role to play one way or another."
"Your dad sounds pretty great," she smiled before looking up as if a new thought had entered her head. "Does that mean you can perform miracles now?"
"The system grants miracles when hearing prayers," she went on to explain. "Michael was having trouble keeping up with the prayers of our faithful but it seems to agree with me more. I was able to…wake it up is the best way to describe it. That, and I've been trying to convince it that devils aren't as bad as we used to believe. Not on the whole at least."
"Wait, so if you do this right, then the gap between devils and angels will be closed?"
"Yes! I may be able to make it so that even…"
"Irina! Le Fay!" Seekvaira rushed up panting from having sprinted across the deck. "My gunpla have picked up movement on one of the decks below. I don't think we're alone here."
Café in Kuoh…
"Thank you, dear," Göndul nodded to the waitress before returning her gaze to Rossweisse sitting awkwardly on the other side of the table. Now then, Rose, I trust you know why I am here? It is not easy to get time to come to Midgard."
"I-if you were worried for how I was doing, I c-could have called or…"
"Nothing so mundane, I am speaking of the engagement. Why has no news been given to your parents or even myself? I've been patient, but this is getting extreme."
I can't correct her that Dorian only gave me his weapon to hold onto while he was trapped in Helheim the first time. What would granny think of me!? Maybe I can be vague enough to assuage her concerns.
"Lots has been going on," Rossweisse did her best to hide the trembling of her fingers. "The Hero Faction, the Underworld attack, not to mention rounding up the traitors in Kyoto. We know there are more Khaos Brigade groups out there to say nothing of Moloch, and the things he saw in the future…"
"…should make him all the more desperate to live each moment fully in the present! I read the report he made that all the other leaders saw. Every major god killed, nothing able to stop this creature, the world destroyed, it is all quite disconcerting. You have bedded him already, have you not? The next step should be a formality at this point."
Rossweisse's face was paling by the second, steam rising from her ears as her grandmother spoke of it so matter of factly. She nearly broke, but maintained her deception, it was the only thing she could do to save face.
"When things calm down, we can plan these things out. There is much to do."
"More and more every day from what I hear. Thrud was one thing, but this Sacred Gear of his AND the nekoshou criminal? The entire reason he is not here is because he's having this eagle-child with Hela herself, or so I hear."
"THAT is more an honorary title only," Rossweisse found her second wind to correct her words. "Hela feels Dorian is the best to act as its father, and he feels responsible as the parent was killed at his hands while controlled. He has never ONCE made it seem like he seeks others just for the sake of it, and he's always shown how he cares for each of us, myself included. He is still the man I fell in love with who you gave me permission to do whatever I wanted with."
"That I did," her grandmother smirked a little before sipping her drink. "Having multiple partners is no stranger to our people under the right circumstances, though I did not picture you being so welcoming. Dorian is quite a young man to bring out this side of you."
"He is, granny," Rossweisse smiled back. "I haven't told you everything, and for that I am sorry. But please trust that this is my choice. Not just for Dorian, but Thrud, Kuroka, Iggy and…maybe others. They love him, and I would not want to stand in the way of that. I know Dorian loves me, there is no doubt. Letting them in will not detract from that, he is that kind of man."
"If you feel so strongly, then I will wait a BIT longer," she stressed with a raised finger. "But next I return; I will speak with him directly.
Anything but that! Rossweisse almost screamed but managed to maintain her composure. How can I possibly approach him about an engagement so soon? Oh, why did you have to misunderstand him giving me Twilight Star to keep safe?
"We haven't gotten to be together much since I became Odin's bodyguard. If we're done discussing this particular topic…maybe we could go shopping?" The young Valkyrie's heart fluttered at the content smile her grandmother returned.
"That sounds delightful, you've been sending far more money to me in recent months since joining the Crossroads. I hope you've been spending some on yourself. Does Dorian know about that?"
"I told him I send you money each month," she replied truthfully, though left out she'd omitted how much. While Göndul was a well-known figure among the Nine Realms, she'd never gone into fields that warranted large amounts of money nor was she one to ask the family for some. It was Rossweisse's desire to help her grandmother that had fostered her interest in savings and pinching every penny she could. Göndul had raised her well, and she'd always be grateful and return the favor when she could even though it was not necessary.
"I see, but I hope we don't spend too much today. You know how much I hate frivolous purchases."
Grigori HQ…
"I-it hurts," Momo gasped as she held her arms out, a pair of bracelets wrapped around them glowing brightly.
"Just a few more seconds," Azazel promised as he scanned it over with a strange whirring device in his hands. "It's adjusting to devil physiology since normally a bit of human is needed; the burning feeling is sensory only. It won't leave any marks."
"You got this," Saji tried to help his teammate bear it as he had for the others while holding her hand. "I thought my skin was going to fall off the first time I unlocked my own gear, if I can do it, you sure as Hell can!"
"I'm not…going…TO...STOP!" The white-haired devil shouted with conviction as the bands on her arms exploded with radiance, knocking Saji off his feet and sending Azazel's device chirping loudly.
"Okay, that's enough!" The fallen angel's command came none too soon as Momo started to feel light-headed from the sheer pain. "Synchronizing to your body, aaanddd…. there! Locked!" The bracelets dimmed before disappearing altogether, drawing Momo to look around as if she'd lost them. Her worry was short-lived as Saji helped her up while Azazel explained. "Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of your very own Sacred Gear never seen before," Azazel started clapping soon joined by Sona and every member of her peerage.
"Round of applause!" Saji repeated over and over, making the young woman blush. "First Tsubaki, then me, now you, Ruruko, Tsubasa, Reya AND Tomoe did it. You're all incredible!"
"Of course, you are, you're my team," Sona nodded while looking over the others all resting from their own trials and tests. "Rest for now, is there any more?"
"Not from me," Azazel assured her. "You're my choices from devilkind, but I have a few meetings with the Greek selection and our Norse allies. Imagine one of these babies on a Jotun or a battle-angry Einherjar," he laughed out loud. "Want me to make one for you?"
"That will not be necessary," Sona waved off his offer. "Consider it my small matter of pride that I'd like to rely on my own talents."
"Suit yourself, I took the liberty of adding some additions to Vritra's soul for you," he turned to Saji. "Ajuka even tweaked your Pawn pieces to be compatible with it like he did for Issei, you should be able to push yourself harder."
Hard enough to last longer in that armor, The devil pawn recalled the armor he could briefly tap into on the set of Serafall's movie not yet released. I won't fall behind the others.
"Oh, Mr. Azazel, sir," Saji made sure Momo could stand before following the former Governor-General who had turned to leave. "Are you…good at chess?"
"Chess?" He tapped his device as he considered the question. "It's been a few years since I played, but was considered to have quite the lucky streak for a few centuries. Why?"
"Well," he lowered his voice so Sona couldn't hear. "There is someone I was hoping to learn how to beat…
Not far…
"Have you thought of a name for it?" Sona asked her Bishop as she chugged an entire water bottle still shaking off the sensation of pins in her wrists.
"Well," Momo blushed as she thought of the first words Saji had said after she finished the experiment. "Applause Wall has a nice ring to it."
"I think so too. Rest up, we can…"
"Lady Sitri," a tall woman with long purple hair and a chest that would almost rival Akeno approached. "We are receiving visitors asking for you. They say they are expected."
"Ah, thank you Ms. Penemue. Yes, you can let them in. I've been waiting to meet my new Rook and Knight."
"Rook and Knight?" Momo's eyes went wide. "Our team is almost complete?"
"Yes, a long time coming. With the battles we were getting into, I felt it was needed to bolster our numbers. I still need three Pawns, but they can come later."
On cue, four people entered the room. A young woman with a mage-like robe and a dark-haired man walked surrounding two others already wearing Kuoh Academy uniforms they recognized as being from the college departments.
"I was not expecting Slash Dog to serve as escort," Sona admitted with a head nod of appreciation.
"The Grigori wanted to make sure there were no issue with how much you have been helping with their work," Tobio returned the nod with a flash of a content smile. "The trip was uneventful, thankfully."
"Also, I heard they had a really interesting proposition for those Crossroads in the near future," his companion remarked, a blonde woman with a wide-brimmed mage hat almost covering her face. "I MUST be a part of that, even more so if that Einherjar of theirs is involved. I've heard so much of this woman Val-kun has been infatuated with. It would only be right for me to gauge her qualities."
"That…can be for later," Tobio sweat-dropped, clearly embarrassed as Sona stood there stoically despite the awkward topic. "We will take our leave."
"Gather around everyone," Sona called to her team who approached looking over the pair, a grey-haired foreign man with yellow eyes and a body build almost rivaling Sairaorg Bael himself. "This is Loup Garou, my second Rook. He is a werewolf and will be a powerful addition to our team. His mother was also a famous witch of renown."
"A magical werewolf? That's friggin awesome!" Saji pumped his fist to the second guy on the team.
"A pleasure!" Tsubasa Yura approached, extending her hand into a firm shake that the stoic man returned. The pair stood there staring at each other for several moments, the groaning sound of their bones all that could be heard as their grips tightened, neither giving up to see what they were capable of. "Dang, I think we're going to get along just fine."
A warrior-like aura emitted from him, meeting her challenge with the pair only breaking it off with a command from Sona. Through it all, he didn't say a word which seemed to be his preference beyond slight head nods to each of his new comrades.
"And this," Sona motioned to the woman who could not have been more different from Loup, "is Ylva."
The woman, willowy in appearance yet graceful all the same, brushed her emerald hair from her ears to reveal pointed tips. Sona's team looked on with slacked jaws as she bowed politely, allowing black bat-like wings to spring from her back.
"Good evening, everyone, my name is Ylva Olafsdottir…and it is a true pleasure to be working with you from now on."
Helheim…
"I have gotten a little better," Dorian skated across the frozen fields smoothed out for his visit. "How are you doing that?"
"Ice has little hinderance on my movements," Hela remarked as she walked across the surface without difficulty. "Remember, in this realm everything bows to me. The laws of physics are included in that. I have never needed to partake of such activities."
"You might enjoy it," Dorian smiled back while doing a less-than graceful spin.
"Mooguor is familiar with the sport," Hela motioned over to the immense giantess who Thrud had fought with at the gates. Much to Dorian's surprise, she was skating from one end to the other with the grace of an Olympic athlete. Her size betrayed just how talented she was, the Einherjar being completely sure that if he'd told anyone, none would believe him considering the guardian of Helheim's reputation for ferocity in battle.
"Maybe she and Thrud can settle any future differences with a skate-off?" Dorian couldn't help picturing Thor's daughter skating with him in a duet, him lifting her high while spinning.
Or the other way around, knowing her.
"I hear that Agares chick can skate super well," Ratatoskr pointed out as he slid across the ice balanced on his tail. "She could show a few pointers if you ever find yourself stumbling."
"Seekvaira? I had no idea," Dorian admitted. "How do you know that?"
"She talks in her sleep," Ratatoskr started before seeing the twitch in Dorian's eye that was often a precursor to their fights. "Kidding, kidding, ran into one of her little robo helpers sliding across the floor and she happened to fact-drop that about herself so she puts it into her inventions. Ya need to relax more boss, yer more wound up than Hela over there."
"It's a bit hard to relax," Hela admitted as she started sliding a bit more than walking. "The little one could hatch any moment now. How do we know what we can start without having it cut short?"
"What if we try something fun while keeping an eye on the egg? Maybe camping? Irina and I used to do it all the time when we were looking for ghosts. None ever showed up, but she made these delicious s'mores." The irony of their former spirit-hunting excursions while he was now standing in a literal land of the dead was not lost on the Einherjar.
"I have never…camped before. S'mores?" Hela tilted her head. "I am unfamiliar with that food."
"You've never had one?" Dorian looked truly horrified at the prospect. "I'll show you how to make them, I don't think even I could burn down Helheim just making s'mores. We'll need graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate…"
"Don't jinx yerself now, boss," Ratatoskr looked truly worried. "If it was possible, you could burn cereal and milk."
A little later…
"Mmmm, extraordinary!" Hela exclaimed as she bit into the s'more, marshmallow and chocolate squeezing out the sides. Despite her appearance constantly shifting between a young woman and old crone, she had the ambiance of a little girl enjoying her first delicacy. "Perhaps the little one may like these when they are born."
"Can eagles eat these?" Dorian pondered as he took a bite of his own while he and Hela sat at a parasol-covered table. Behind them, large tents had been set up surrounding the eagle egg upon where the parent had fallen. A firepit was built, but it was more decorative than anything else now that their s'mores were melted enough. Even with the lack of winds from the eagle, Hela was able to keep the area cold enough to prevent collapse. "I honestly am not sure, but can look it up though Kiyome would know best of all. It would have been nice to have these with my parents."
"So pathetic…" A voice on the wind uttered with disdain.
"What was that?"
"He was supposed to be slumbering," Hela sighed. "Though he has been growing more adept at remaining cognizant through Helheim's mists."
"Who do you mean?"
"Father," Hela swirled her hands creating a sphere of mist between them. Deep within the storming tempests within, the unmistakable face and blue hair of Loki could be seen glaring back at them. "His soul is still here, though cannot do anything but exist."
"Pathetic to see my daughter breaking bread with the one responsible for my death," the former Norse god of mischief groaned. "My plans brought to ruin and now all my children betray me."
"Seems you got off easy compared to what you did," Dorian had a hard time restraining the contempt in his voice. "Being forced to spend every day with your daughter."
"Freedom would be my preference; family come and go…I learned that lesson well. You may have stopped my own Ragnarök, but from what I hear that end still looms in a different form. You are ill-equipped, they all are."
"I had no idea you thought so little of your own handiwork," Dorian couldn't help but quip. "I've been using the Nagalfr," that name got the reaction he was looking for.
"You steal my work, that ship can survive Ragnarök but not stop it."
"Where did you find the technology to make it? Seekvaira has been pouring over it ever since the Underworld invasion, the design and machinery is way beyond anything the other myths have right now."
"You will gain nothing from me," Loki insisted defiantly. "Only a fool would believe we are alone in this universe, and it seems that is a common misconception. I have no interest in seeing what is past the bounds of our planet any longer, enough of those I call kin have been lost on behalf of this world."
"You will have one more to call family soon enough," Hela stepped between Dorian and Loki staring daggers into her father's eyes. "You used Dorian to slay Hræsvelgr, but his progeny remains." She motioned to the resting egg. "I suppose, in a way, my raising the child would make you its grandfather. Mother may find that comforting, may she rest peacefully."
"The more you gain, the more you'll have to lose when the time comes. Angrboda…bah!" Loki spat out his last words before fading back into the soul prison where Hela kept him.
"Always pleasant times when he is around," Dorian punched at the air to vent some frustrations, his inner Nordic side wanting to hit something despite Loki no longer possessing a physical body to do so.
"My Queen," Mooguor pointed towards the dais. "Look!" To their delight, the egg had begun to wiggle and shake, a pronounced crack appearing on the side as something pointed and sharp beat against it. Hela, Dorian, and all those standing near edged closer watching intently.
"One good hit," Hela tried to insist again. "Just one to help the little thing through?"
"If needed, but this is how it happens," Dorian insisted. "He's doing well so far, look at that crack! I bet he'll be out of there in no time."
"Until then, we should…camp." Hela reached into the pack she had brought, producing what looked to Dorian like an old-fashioned VHS player causing his eyes to go wide with restrained terror. "I know you said it was taboo for technology to be used while camping, but surely a few dozen movies would be no trouble to watch while we wait, correct?"
The Nagalfr…
"This way," Seekvaira motioned to Le Fay and Irina as they followed the procession of gunpla through the bowels of the Nagalfr. "It's mobile, whatever it is."
"Reading multiple baddies," Le Fay called out as her hand glowed a gentle green, a sign she was using tracking spells. "Lower deck, fleeing fast!"
"Surely not the Brigade!" Irina had already drawn the True Excalibur prepared for combat. "If they got ahold of the Nagalfr, they could do so much damage! How could anyone get onboard? I thought only those Dorian gave permission to can get past the defenses."
"My gunpla will seal off their retreat from the rear, unless they are powerful, that should prevent escape that way and drive them towards us." Seekvaira was issuing commands to her many robots scattered across the vessel. "Look! The blips are changing course, they aren't even trying to engage them."
"Then they're ours, I'll have some binding spells ready," Le Fay stood her ground, magic circles surrounding her as she prepared the best she could, not certain what foe awaited them. "If they get past me, you and Irina shoot them out of the sky."
"Agreed," Seekvaira targeted the gun platforms that disconnected from her wings down the corridor. Sure enough, they could hear the patter of heavy feet approaching. Even before they could see their enemy, the heiress called out. "HALT! In the name of House Agares and the Crossroads, you are trespassing and will be fired upon unless…"
"Donna shoot! Donna shoot!" The gruff voice called out from the darkness, the basic shape of two silhouettes appearing in the distance with their hands up in the air. "We didna mean any harm, we're coming out!"
"Dwarves?" Irina tilted her head in confusion as a pair of the race belonging to the Nine Realms shuffled into the light. They were covered in ash so greatly their skin appeared almost black as pitch and the natural color of their hair could scarcely be determined. They came forward with the expressions of children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Aye," Brokkr's the name, this here is my ass of a brother, Eitri."
"Yer the ass!" Eitri smacked his sibling about the head almost eliciting a response with compounding slaps until the three women stepped closer.
"The dwarven smiths who helped Dorian?" Le Fay pointed out, having listened intently during the nights Dorian described his previous adventures as part of their pact to share information. "You made Twilight Star."
"Bright Star," Brokkr corrected. "Dorian used our realm's magic to fashion up Twilight Star from its pieces later. Don't ask how, that Gear of his was really something. We didna mean any harm, just couldn't bear to depart when looking over this marvel of majestic craftsmanship!"
"Well, I can understand that part," Seekvaira acquiesced at the sight of a curiosity rivaling her own. Finally lowering her weapons and lessening her guard. "I thought the Nine Realm teams got what they needed to upgrade their ships days ago. You stayed onboard all this time?"
"Days weren't enough!" Eitri butted in, nearly pushing his brother to the side. "The machinations are wholly unique; Loki was a genius beyond us all."
"Or he got it from somewhere else," Brokkr huffed, clearly unwilling to believe such a notion. "And I'm starting to believe that more and more."
"Why is that?" Le Fay couldn't resist asking. Between its impressive weapon systems and scope that put all other myth's warships to shame, she had to admit that just how the god of mischief had developed such a monster had been in the back of her mind.
"Um, no offense but…can we put our arms down?" Eitri pointed out that they still were in the same surrender pose as when they'd emerged. "Also, do ye got anythings to eat? We've been down here for days and our supplies ran out a while ago." The pair's stomachs growled loudly to punctuate their words.
"You don't have food!?" Their lack of preparation almost caused Seekvaira to lose her calm. "Get over here now, there is a cafeteria right nearby, I understand your insatiable sense of curiosity…but how could you not think of essentials?!"
Leviathan Territory…
"Th-thank you for coming Mr. Vali," Ingvild Leviathan sheepishly welcomed the descendant of Lucifer to her home at Leviathan Manor. With Katerea still recovering will raising her son, she had been put in charge of the Leviathan family matters. "I trust you had a good trip?"
"I was never one for formalities," the White Dragon Emperor replied stoically. "No need to be courteous, I'll admit I was not expecting your invitation. What is this about?"
"We have much in common," she steadied her voice at last. "We are both descendants of an original Satan as well as being half-human. I wanted to…seek your advice, leadership is new to me and I do not wish to fail my family while Katarea is unable to."
"I am not a leader of any house, you know that," Vali answered after a moment's pause, starting to head for the door. "I don't see how I can help."
"P-please don't go!" Ingvild called out in a moment of panic, not knowing quite where to turn if he left. "Please!" Vali froze, his legs locking up and his hand freezing before he could grab the doorknob.
Wh-what is this? I can't move!
Her voice, I…I don't want to disobey, Albion agreed in his mind as suddenly they regained control of their legs. Wait, the compulsion gone. What was that?
I don't know, Vali answered as he turned back to the gentle woman sitting in the chair looking at him in confusion as to why he had locked up so suddenly. Is she more than she lets on? No, I don't sense any malice. If she did something, it was by accident or instinct. Maybe…
"Very well," he kept his cool without giving away his thoughts. "Why me?"
"You lead your team and are not a pure devil. Bikou, Arthur and Le Fay consider themselves part of your group, even Kuroka still does though she joined the Crossroads. That is an admirable level of devotion. I would hope to inspire such while I lead House Leviathan."
"Everyone wants something," he started after approaching a window, glancing to look out the manor grounds. "In order to attract others, you first have to give them either that, or what they need."
"That seems so crude," Ingvild looked disappointed. "Is that the only way, to feed their own desires?"
"There is more to it than that. If that is all it was, they'd leave as soon as they got what they wanted." It was clear Vali was having trouble articulating, yet did his best. "Those who follow me each turned from their paths or chosen myths for one reason or another, whatever they wanted, they also needed a home. That and I chose my team for being strong on their own, not relying on Sacred Gears. I may have one, but I never lean on it if I can help it. I respect those who follow me, and they know that each in their own way."
"I noticed none of your team have Sacred Gears, is that why?"
"Yes, I…have enemies that they would become liabilities against. Being half human, perhaps you could manifest one," he looked to Ingvild intently, gauging her reaction.
"I doubt I would make much use of a Sacred Gear. "You and the Red Dragon Emperor have such interesting ones, unique to the world of dragons. I have the Leviathan Serpent which is a type of dragon, I suppose. But I am no warrior of renown."
"Do you truly believe I was when I first got my Gear? Or Issei, you have seen how he acts," Ingvild sweat-dropped a little, seeing his point but not wanting to admit the rumors she'd heard of Issei's eccentricities. "Natural Sacred Gears are received seemingly at random; no one is owed it."
"We are off-topic," the purple-haired woman tried to change the subject. "My true wish is to be taught how to be a leader while here. I wrote a letter to Rias and that Dorian fellow as they both are in similar posts. But you, you are the only one who shares a similar ancestry."
I do not sense any ill intent from her, she has no Sacred Gear nor had cast any spells. Is it something naturally in her voice?
Not sure what is natural about this, from that one sentence, I was willing to do whatever she asked. She may not be aware, but there is something within this girl. She is interested in our rival, maybe if we help her, we'll learn it and find a new ally?
"Very well," Vali contemplated Albion's words and agreed with his partner. "I will…try to tell what I can."
Nagalfr cafeteria…
"Aaaahhhh, now that hit the spot," Brokkr leaned back utterly satisfied as he undid a notch on his belt to accommodate his gut. "Whoever stocked these sure had good taste."
"That was a joint effort," Seekvaira explained, her own humble plate barely finished while the dwarven brothers had cleaned off no fewer than a dozen between them. "This ship will have to account for many different types of people."
"I may join if'n we get a meal like this every day!" Eitri let out a resounding burp that took all of Irina's self-control to not gag at.
"Well, now that you are full…can you clarify what you meant before?"
"Huh? Oh, that we think Loki got this somewhere else? Well, that's simple, the design just ain't natural."
"Not natural?"
"Ain't natural, what I said," Brokkr clarified. "I've been working with the impossible for a long time, kind of a specialty of mine. So, believe me when I say that there is no way the design or basis for this monstrosity came from this planet."
"It's from outer space?" Seekvaira recalled the journals Loki had kept alluding to a meteorite being the basis for the start of the Nagalfr centuries prior.
"Or someone from there. It's not just the strange properties infused into the metal, or these power sources that defy logic…but THESE!" The dwarf pointed at a nearby wall. After several seconds of it being clear none of the women understood his meaning, he continued. "Look at that curvature, totally wrong I tells ye, the geometry ain't right. Whoever designed this was either mad or a genius, or both!"
"Our entire clan's been retrofitting our ships to try an emulate this baby," Eitri smacked the side of the hull. "But we've barely scratched the surface. It'll be YEARS before we can get any with even half the firepower. Even so, we got some grand ideas for our existing ones, we were gonna talk em over with Dorian but he's nowhere to be found."
"Oh, he's in Helheim, has been for the last few days." Irina explained with a chipper expression at getting to tell them the news. "Hela's egg is about to hatch and she wanted him nearby."
"The little beakling is coming? Well good for em! Though that means he won't be back fer a while. Shite, was hoping to ask the big guy's permission."
"Permission for what?"
"Why, to spruce up this place! The design, weapons and defenses are top notch, but the interior is so gaudy and impractical. If'n you want a giant crew, you need amenities. And we're just the dwarves ta give it to ya!"
"Well," Seekvaira felt Le Fay and Irina's eyes on her as the one considered in charge of the Nagalfr with Rossweisse back at the tower. "I will need to consult with Rossweisse, but considering all you've done for Dorian and your work speaking for itself, I see no reason why you cannot be permitted to remain aboard to continue your improvements."
"Ya mean it lass? Praise be to your ancestors and future children!" The twins were jumping for joy. "Ya won't regret it, why, by the time we're done with the place you'll barely recognize it!"
"What did you have in mind?" Irina leaned closer fascinated by what they could be planning.
"Some rec rooms!" Eitri joyously sounded much to his brother's embarrassment. "Trust me, if you're going to have an army of Einherjar and Valkyries aboard to say nothing of others, you'll need somewhere for them to blow off steam."
"A sauna would be a good place for steam," Le Fay mumbled under her breath while twiddling her fingers just imagining having a private bath while on long journeys.
"Hmmmm, I LIKE the way you think little lady. Saunas on every floor, rec rooms for sports and training. OH! Maybe fancy bulkheads internally to seal off if a section is damaged or there are intruders. I'm sure I can find a way to tweak the defenses and…"
What have I done? Seekvaira's eye twitched internally. Hopefully, such additions will not interfere in the future role of this ship. But I must admit, they look very happy.
"Oy, you lass," Brokkr pointed to her. "You've been poking around here a lot, right? Anything about the ship ye can tell us?" He almost regretted asking as the most strained look of jubilation he'd ever seen crossed the Agares heiress' face.
"Why, I was hoping you'd never ask," she confidently pushed up her glasses while pulling out her holographic map she'd been spending days put together. "If we start at the top…"
Helheim, several days later…
"You got this," Dorian strengthened the fires of Hestia around the eggs, large chunks of the shell already broken away scattered around the altar. "The world is waiting for you!"
"Don't miss a moment, Mooguor!" Hela called out to the giantess who was holding a camera with a small army of servants still piling gifts and other items for the baby eagle nearby. "I think I can risk this now." Hela reached down, picking up the half-hatched egg and cradled it in her arms, holding it close. Despite the anticipated moment, she looked sad.
"What's wrong?"
"I've…never been warm," she admitted, a fact Dorian knew was true since living in Helheim. Whether it was her natural body state or a result of being in that realm for so long, Hela was cold to the touch at all times. "I don't think I can do this, you should be the one to…"
"You're its mother, for all intents and purposes," Dorian strived to keep her from falling back into the state she'd been in when he first arrived. "Some people need bottles to help feed their children, it doesn't say anything about what kind of parents they'll be, right?"
The Einherjar summoned Laerad Ragnarök to his right hand, laying it gently on Hela's breast. Without a word, the fire of Hestia burned softly upon her, the goddess of Helheim shuddering as the warm sensation traveled through her body. It was temporary, but it was something he could reinstate at need as he'd done for the egg. The baby eagle clearly sensed the newfound heat, impacts to escape the egg now leaning towards the side facing Hela.
"Dorian, you are too kind, if only you'd stayed as a part of my collection."
In a way, that is what Hades wants for me too, crazy how two similar outlooks can be so radically different.
"You may not be able to stay full time, but you shall be this child's father for all intents and purposes. I can even teach you a technique in time to transform into an eagle yourself. He may accept you easier that way. Who knows, perhaps your filgja is an eagle."
Filgja, part of my soul? Dorian recalled the lessons back in Lady Eir's classroom. According to Norse belief, the soul was actually made up of four parts; the Hamr, Hugr, Hamingja and Filgja. The Filgja was an aspect separate that would take the form of an animal to rush to the afterlife and argue on behalf of the rest for inclusion into paradise. On deep thought, he reflected at how he had acted as Baldur's Filgja in a way. I wouldn't mind if it was an eagle, if it turned out to be a squirrel, I'd never hear the end of it.
"Me, turn into an eagle?" Dorian chuckled at the image in his head. "Rat may not be a fan of that one, I hear he and the eagles from Yggdrasil aren't on the best of terms."
A loud crack signaled the time was coming, the last break causing the shell to split in two horizontally. They saw it, a tiny pair of legs coming out of a mass of feathers leading to the top half of the shell which remained in place. The baby eagle stood up, looking left and right with its vision obscured while still under what remained of the shell. Dorian reached out, gently plucking the cover off the baby's head. Without intending to, he became the first thing it saw.
"It's a boy!" Hela called out cheerfully. Dorian assumed she must have read more of the book than he as he was unable to determine how she could tell. "Hello little one, welcome to your new home. I'm Hela, your mother and this is Dorian, your father."
The eagle chirped, trying to hop but not having the strength to do so, flopping forward before looking up at Hela and Dorian. Realizing what it wanted, he reached for a tiny piece of meat from the table and offered it. In a flash, the food was snatched from his fingers and devoured greedily before chirping again for more.
"Of course, of course," Hela fed him next, the bird glancing between the two of them for warmth and food. After several more cubes of meat, it seemed to get tired and nestled against Hela's breasts with droopy eyes. "I wasn't here when his father roosted here, he's so…helpless."
"It will be some time I imagine before he can flap his wings with any force, the aviary you made will be good for him to stay in. I'll try to come by as often as I can, maybe…"
"C-can we come in now?" Irina sheepishly asked, the pair spotting her leaning around a corner at the far end of the roof. Behind her was the entire main team of the Crossroads led by Rossweisse, Thrud and Iggy who clearly wanted to see the baby before the rest. "We made sure to stay out of sight as it hatched." Dorian turned to Hela who nodded approval.
"You may approach, he has already imprinted on Dorian and I seeing us first and feeding him." The group rushed forward though remained orderly so as not to wake or disturb the sleeping eagle. Hela and Dorian soon found themselves surrounded as the hatchling slept silently unaware of the small army that had come to look at him. Ratatoskr snuck closer, looking the eagle over.
"Hmmm, not as big as his pa yet, but look at those feet, he'll be a biggun!"
"I don't think you can guess eagle sizes based on feet like dogs," Rossweisse tried to correct, but was ignored by the troublemaking squirrel.
"We brought a few presents, but weren't sure what eagles like." Zepar motioned to the pile behind them.
"So, I see," Hela sweat dropped a little seeing the assortment of wind chimes, large birdhouses, even a connected jungle gym supported on ropes.
"I made that one," Iggy clapped her hands silently. "He can get plenty of exercise even before he learns to fly."
"Did…did you think of a name?" Irina inched closer while letting her angel wings unfurl as did Zepar. The chick stirred, waking upon sensing the familiar-looking wings and chirped happily.
"We were talking about that the last few days…" Hela started, glancing to Dorian with a smile of approval for him to give the one they had agreed on.
"Narvedyr," the Einherjar bristled with pride as he stroked the feathers under the baby's chin. "His name will be Narvedyr."
"Caretaker of the dead?" Rossweisse translated for the others. "A much less ominous name than its parent, to be sure. M-may I hold him?" Hela hesitated a moment, but at Dorian's smile very carefully passed the chick over to the silver Valkyrie. She felt awkward, not certain how she was meant to hold a baby bird, however, it snuggled into her suit coat, not noticing it had switched from his perceived mother. "H-hi," she whispered softly.
This is what we fight for, Dorian smiled as he inched closer to put an arm around Rossweisse. To an outsider, it'd look like a couple holding their first child. Was he even born in the original timeline?
"Awwwwww, they look so sweet," Ratatoskr grinned at the pair. "Giving you ideas?"
"Maybe a few," Dorian admitted, surprising both Rossweisse and the young squirrel at his boldness.
"And a few for me," Hela smirked at him like the cat that had swallowed the canary. "With all your little friends present, I know EXACTLY what I want to try…"
That night…
"Okay, we have 'The Eagle,' and 'The Maltese Falcon,' or do you think he may like something a bit more romantic?"
"Romantic!"
"Mystery!"
"I've never seen the Maltese Falcon," Dorian admitted after Irina and Bennia called out their favorites respectively. "But heard it's a classic."
"We'll let Narvedyr decide," Hela broke the indecision as she laid enormous bowls of popcorn onto the table. "Here you go sweetie," she laid a separate plate of meat beside the baby eagle who had been hopping from cushion to cushion exploring his surroundings and newfound friends. Seeing the food, he snatched up several but held off taking too much. Looking over the selected movies, he pecked curiously at one in particular.
"It's decided, we shall watch…Lord of the Rings!" Half the room groaned while the other half looked ecstatic.
"Well, the eagles do help save the day," Zepar pointed out. "It was quite inspirational and has fascinating backstory with the author if you wish to hear."
"But it's like a billion hours long!" Bennia groaned while sinking into her seat. "We'll never survive the whole run!"
"It's worth the journey," Xenovia defended the film. "Reforging the sword is my favorite part."
"We used to watch it at night when the others didn't know while training to be Excalibur wielders," Irina giggled, recalling the times they'd snuck the movie into the dorms without being spotted. "Arwen was always so beautiful, I would love to have hair like hers."
"I'm game-nya," Kuroka claimed a spot while Hecuba and Iggy did the same with plenty of room for the others.
"I-I've never had so many guests," Hela let a smile escape her shifting lips, sitting down next to the eagle who hopped onto her lap staring at the large screen. "Eat as much as you like, this will be a fun twelve hours."
"TWELVE HOURS!?" Dorian's face paled as he looked over the DVD box while taking a seat beside the goddess of death.
"Well of course, you didn't think you'd get away without seeing the special extended collector's edition with extra restored footage…now did you?"
The Vatican…
The turnout for today's sermon was more than usual, that is good. That is very good. The middle-aged man with dark hair thought to himself with a smile. In time, we'll have the numbers to issue our challenge, but not yet.
"Father Cristaldi!" A woman that the Cardinal Deacon recognized as Melissa, a young nun-in training, came rushing up. "You have a visitor in your office wanting to speak with you."
"Thank you, my child, though I do not have any meetings planned. Did they give a name?"
"Touji Shidou," the robed Cardinal Deacon stopped at that name, pondering the ramifications.
"I will meet with him, please cancel my meetings for the next few days."
"D-days? Yes, Father," she bowed before rushing off to follow his orders.
She's a good child, I am sure she would agree with our outlook even if it does not conform to the current order of the Church under Michael.
Ewald Cristaldi, the third-highest official in the Church returned to his office, finding a man sitting in a chair before his desk. He wore standard priest's clothing and looked barely younger than the Cardinal Deacon himself, light brown hair fluttering in the light breeze from the window he had opened. The man noticed Ewald's presence as soon as he entered the room.
"Ah, my old friend," he motioned without getting up. "It has been far too long, getting a little grey, I see."
"What are you doing here?" He asked, immediately on guard at the former exorcist showing up so suddenly. "Did Michael send you?"
"You mean, does he know about your quaint rebellion gaining strength? No, he is completely unaware of your involvement…so far."
"You mean, you wish to join us?" The man's features lit up at the prospect. Considering Touji's involvement in the Kuoh incident over a decade past that required his retreat from the town, Ewald was certain that he'd never agree with their methods. "What about that project you were talking about for Michael?"
"That can wait, your cause is much more necessary than some sex dimension for my daughter to enjoy."
...What?
"That is, if you are hoping to move against the Church soon. I have some information on a place that can give you, rather us, an advantage to move against Heaven now."
"I applaud your enthusiasm, but the time is not right," the Cardinal Deacon moved closer to his guest. "With you on our side, we can ramp up our timetable, but to move now would be folly, especially with the new allies Heaven has garnered, distasteful as they are."
"I'm afraid that won't do," Touji Shidou stood up, walking towards Ewald with an expression the older official had never seen and an outstretched hand. "We need to move NOW; can I count on you?"
"You were a good exorcist, a genius really," Ewald started, taking Touji's hand and shaking it with surety. "However, we cannot rush just to acquire your services. Join us, you are more than welcome, but we must wait until all our forces are ready to move. When that day comes…"
"A pity, I suppose I will need to do this without you," Ewald couldn't react even to cast a spell or call for help as Touji Shidou's free hand shot forward, gripping him by the mouth and sealing any sound from escaping. His eyes went wide as his former colleague's face started to distort, features shifting, height changing until finally even his striking violet eyes had turned to a pale blue.
That isn't Touji! Who is…!? But the Cardinal Deacon did not finish his thoughts before the room turned upside down and everything went black all the while an amused, restrained laugh echoed in his ears.
Helheim has a new eagle who shall need to grow fast in order to restore the stability of that frozen afterlife. As Dorian and the others settle in, determined to protect all they love, a dark force makes its move elsewhere to push the world closer to war and destruction. This is the conclusion of the laid back arc letting our heroes have a moment to breathe, but next time things will hit the fan.
Ylva Olafsdottir is a character designed by my good friend Hollowreaper 93 and I am proud to have her introduced as Sona's second Knight. My next update may be a bit longer out as I work to finalize the new arc which will be a combination of canon and new ones, but rest assured I am still working diligently even with my crazy schedule. As always, if you ever have canon stories you'd like to see, do not hesitate to say. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D