FenrisFiltiarn: I am glad you think so! :D The bearer of the soul of Heracles vs. the daughter of Thor...ready...FIGHT!
A Plexx: Thanks! Indeed, in the DxD universe, no matter how large an army of foot soldiers are...it isn't truly terrifying until a god of beast of ancient history is found among them
Sakra95: Dorian certainly seems stuck somewhere...wherever it was that Despoina wanted him to have "good dreams." Only time will tell. :)
PasiveNox: Thank you!
DJDrake: The sirens seem to think so ;) That is what it seems to Dorian, that he almost died and confessed to his beloved after the battle...yet the battle currently wages as he tries to realize what seems so off to him.
ahsoei: Rossweisse...or another? At first he seemed to think she had purple hair, yet later was clearly silver...
naruto: I most certainly will, hopefully he will realize what is going on around him.
fanficcyberman: Combining the original mythological source material with that of the DxD universe and those not even mentioned in canon is among the best parts of writing this story. I hope to not disappoint. :D
AcnologiaGaming: They won't meet at the same time as Rossweisse is not sent to Earth for the Holy Sword arc, but you better believe that when he starts ogling the beautiful Valkyrie of Asgard...Dorian will not let Issei have a good time xD Thank you, I most certainly will!
Mackdaddy3ful: Thank you, hopefully he will do so before it is too late to aid in the battle...
And with that...onto the show!
Rossweisse led the charge, magic seals appearing around what few men Erland could spare covering them with bombardment explosions in all directions. Sweat was dripping from her brow as she kept up the attacks while simultaneously maintaining defensive barriers on her troops, but she didn't let up. She was running on adrenaline and kept focused on the battle at hand unleashing the most devastating magics she could muster, lest her mind wander to other fears.
It was evident that the Khaos Brigade already captured the Heart of Olympus; the halls leading to it were swarming with their numbers though surprisingly not as many as she was certain filled the rest of the palace in their drive to reach the incapacitated deities. They seemed to have commanded the Satyrs to hold the paths leading there early in the battle as they made up the bulk of the Khaos Brigade there. A single Cerberus pup and two Chimeras defended the gateway while they fled before her, their spellcasters no match for her power and ferocity.
"That won't save you!" Rossweisse cried in rage as she summoned a wall of seals taking up the entirety of the corridor. Not even the creatures that terrorized the ancestors of man could withstand the explosions and concussive barrages that erupted from them. All before the door crumbled along with the gate itself, falling backwards with a crash. "INSIDE!" She commanded.
"Alley-oop!" A familiar chipper voice cried out as a small girl bounded over their numbers into the room. A scythe sang through the air as the first line of attackers dropped to the floor. The weapon had cut through their very beings, leaving them incapacitated yet with no visible injuries. She must have been fighting for some time; her skull mask was broken, revealing her pale cheeks and gold eyes. Her light-purple hair was disheveled and drenched in sweat.
"Bennia?" Rossweisse joined her side as her men crashed against the Khaos Brigade's lines. "Was anyone else with you?"
The young Grim Reaper shook her head sadly. "I was the only representative from the Land of the Dead sent and everyone else went to the front lines. In truth Lord Hades commanded me to abstain from any conflicts within Olympus…I don't much care for his business practices but he is my lord, please don't tell him."
Though I am more than a little worried why he would think to issue such a…specific command. I really need a new boss.
"The front lines are getting closer and closer, poor Hecuba's troops are being scattered every which way. They already almost have a clear path to the Grand Hall!"
"Then we must hurry," Rossweisse looked across the room. Far in the distance was a jagged purple-black crystal surrounded by crackling energy on a pedestal. The Khaos Brigade must have been aware of their plan as they had arrayed their entire force between them and the dais upon which it stood.
"I hope you have something up your sleeve," Bennia warned. "That energy is a powerful vortex field; it disperses foreign magic and will fry anything that tries to get closer."
Rossweisse formed her seals once more, releasing the same barrage that annihilated the door. As the projectiles reached the field, they quickly disappeared within like a drop of water falling into a pool. There was no discernible impact.
"We HAVE to destroy that crystal…at ALL costs," Rossweisse asserted before taking flight and heading to the front. Bennia could only sigh in acceptance as she joined them against the growing tide of monsters.
Somewhere Else…
Dorian sat up, his head was pounding and his legs were sore as if he'd just run a marathon. He was in a brightly lit room as rays of sun were beaming through the window. The air smelled brisk and inviting, he must have forgotten to close the window last night. With the morning dew and gentle breeze blowing in it had actually worked for the better.
He started to push himself up, only to feel a soft hand take his own, a gentle kiss on the back of it to wake him.
"Finally awake," the love of his life whispered. Once she was done kissing his hand she lowered it down to give him a feel of her ample chest. She was absolutely incorrigible even first thing in the morning.
Dorian snapped his hand back, something wasn't right, the woman he loved more than any was right in front of him, yet he couldn't see her. She was there, but like trying to read in a dream once you look too close you realize there are no letters on the pages. So too as he tried to focus on the details he could not discern pale white skin of a Valkyrie from the deep bronze of a goddess. The hair swirled colors fluidly, she was not truly there, she couldn't be.
"Who are you!?" Dorian leapt from the bed in terror, slamming his back against the wall. "Where is my wife?"
"I am here beloved," the shape asserted, rising to approach him. "The children are waiting, we mustn't keep them, I have blessed news."
"N-NO!" he shouted, swiping his hand sideways to drive her back. Instead his hand passed through, shattering her body like a mirror. The entire house followed suit as it crumbled around him, leaving the warrior of Asgard standing in the fields of gold he had witnessed before.
"That silly girl, trying to influence your ideal, she should have known it would only cause ruin."
Dorian spun at the voice, behind him stood a tall man he could immediately tell was a god. The deity was quite tall with jet black hair and burning blue eyes dressed in the white garb of a priest of Olympus. The attire matched what he had been told of the Lord of the dead though no other part of his appearance did. He had deep bronze skin which looked pristine in every way, almost unnaturally so even for a god.
"Lord Hades, where am I?"
"In a place where you should never be troubled Mr. Held, welcome to Elysium."
The Elysian Fields, also known as Elysium, heaven to those who worshiped the Greek Pantheon where one would live in peace for all eternity. It was one of the many heavens belonging to the various myths, opposite Tartarus and above the Realm of the Dead where souls are judged.
"Am I…dead?"
"It would be so much simpler if you were," he boomed, his voice seeming to echo with each syllable. "That girl Despoina sent you here using a device her associates must have…appropriated without my knowledge. Once here you fell into your ideal future, a tad cliché for my liking but that is to be expected of an unnecessary being."
Unnecessary being? He suddenly remembered Bennia's apprehension at serving Hades and how little he had cared for the alliance to not even show.
"All who enter here experience their perfect desires without exception, yet she actually had the gall to implant some of her Aethir within you, no doubt hoping it would force your ideal to include her. It was a naïve wish that only worked to shatter your vision. You would have relived pure bliss for ten thousand lifetimes rather than one without realizing a thing otherwise."
"Wh-what about…"
"All in your mind," Hades cut him off, knowing his questions. "The memories are there to facilitate the transition. You are still who you were when first you stepped into Olympus."
My daughters, the united mythologies…all those decades, they weren't real…
"Why don't you relax and stay," Hades meandered alongside the young Einherjar, placing a powerful hand around his shoulders as if to comfort him. "Though you still live, you have entered Elysium and thus I cannot permit you to leave. I assure you all will be well, I can even rectify Despoina's error in your mind."
Dorian glanced up at the Lord of the Dead in confusion.
With a wave of his hand, Hades produced the mismatched fusion of his ideals. In an instant the features split until both Despoina and Rossweisse were standing before him in matching white and gold wedding gowns. Their smiles were warm and inviting, they even linked hands to show their agreement at the future together.
"Your mind is quite open here," Hades assured him. "That need not be all if you desire it."
Sure enough, Thrud appeared next and Hecuba beside her, a pair of warrior brides who took their place beside the first two. One by one, sets of children shimmered into existence, each an image of beauty and strength reflecting their respective mothers and Dorian's own features.
"A harem and family worthy of a god," he smiled sinisterly behind the torn Einherjar. "I agree with you that they are all quite lovely, even the one who never truly existed among others can await you here."
Sure enough, his classmates emerged from the surrounding mist yet did not stop at twenty. As Herja followed the line, right behind her was a familiar woman with blue hair smiling as she had when he'd first plopped on top of her in his dormitory.
"Kara…"
It was all so sudden as memories, thoughts, wants, joys and hardships with each of them bored their way into his mind. Already Elysium was trying to provide his ideal future, one of peace and contentment where his goals and dreams can be reached with the woman…women he loved.
Laerad Ragnarok deployed by reflex, Iggy doing her best to keep him grounded in reality as he could hear her again at long last.
He does not lie, yet if you allow them in; you will not escape a second time…
"Just let the memories take root; you can stay here for all eternity happier than you could ever be out there. To resist for too long will only break your mind needlessly."
It all made perfect sense, everything he ever wanted; to teach others, find that perfect person for him, to raise a family in peace as he grows strong enough to protect them from any threat. Tears fell down his face at even the possibility of his leaving Elysium behind. He finally nodded to Hades.
"Excellent, then follow me," the god of the underworld beckoned him. Dorian trailed behind in a daze. "I can handcraft your heaven myself; I assure you that such cracks will not form again. Though I imagine you'll have your hands busy to keep from noticing."
"Y-you…"
"Hmmm?" Hades turned at Dorian's mutterings he couldn't make out. "What was that?"
"You…pushed your luck offering so many women; you actually might have had me if you used some self-control. I am still a novice with the fairer sex after all, it will be quite a while before I could be a good husband and father to so many…"
With that final word Dorian slipped from that realm, a blue portal having appeared beneath his feet missed by the Lord of the dead. In an instant, the opening closed, denying any chance at pursuit.
Hades let out a colossal roar of absolute, unrestrained anger heard across the realm. His false skin burned away to reveal his true skeletal form, eyes disintegrating to leave behind a blue light hovering within the sockets. He had provided the Khaos Brigade means to enter his realm and escape pursuit yet one had already been wasted on an insignificant Einherjar from a lesser myth. He had intended to keep him there forever imprisoned within his own bliss, but now all he desired was to one day grind his bones to dust for daring to cross him. The Lord of the dead may be bound by his own rules and could do no harm while in Elysium, but should he meet him outside…the young man would know his wrath.
Olympus Main Corridor…
Hecuba coughed, spitting blood as she picked herself up again, retrieving a new sword from a fallen soldier, it was her fifth one. Just as the stories told, Echidna's skin was unbreakable by mortal weapons. Each of the species born from her seed ranging from the various Cerberus to the greater Gorgons and Sphynx inherited some form of her durability. Every single one without fail had tormented the world of man in some fashion. The she-beast was still completely unharmed despite all of the battered Spartan's best tactics.
I don't have the equipment for this...
Her armor was dented inward painfully; removing it would be dangerous after the battle. She had scored several hits on the beast, yet all had barely been noticed or left only a surface scratch and cost her the weapon each attempt. The serpent-woman had delighted in pulverizing Hecuba with her muscular tail, yet after a time uncontested had grown bolder and started lashing out with her claws. She was playing with her food at this point.
"I think the meat is tender enough now," she hissed with laughter. "And your blood, seventeen years aged…the perfect vintage. My children are growing near to witness your death and revel in the knowledge that nothing will stop us this day."
Echidna held out her hands, extending her already sizable claws out by several inches until they were more akin to daggers. Using her tail as leverage she propelled her body at the young warrior as she had done many times, this time prepared to rend flesh and bone.
Hecuba waited to the last possible moment, twisting with all her strength as she wedged her blade between the fingers of Echidna's right hand while the left went clean through her enchanted armor. With a sharp grunt, she twisted the blade, scraping off the fingers impossible skin and barely slicing several razor nails off at the expense of her sword which snapped in half on contact once again. Unlike her skin, her bones were of the Earth, strong as the roots of the world, yet man had long ago learned how to delve into her secrets.
The mother of monsters ignored the impromptu manicure, her other hand burying itself in Hecuba's chest, ripping away to shred flesh and armor. The young fighter secretly breathed easy as the pressure abated due to the loss of the breastplate. It was short lived, however as she slumped to the ground, dropping the useless remains of her blade and pressing a hand as hard as she could into the wound to slow the bleeding.
She had no room to recuperate as a powerful grip seized her throat, raising the beaten commander up to Echidna's face, a long putrid tongue running over her cheek and neck.
"VERY impressive," she mocked with laughter. "You clipped my nails for me, you can brag about your accomplishments in Tartarus."
"Th-this…"
"What was that?" The serpent monster pulled Hecuba in closer, leaning her ear closer.
"This vintage," she whispered with a spat of blood. "Needs a few more years to ferment."
Echidna lurched as Hecuba brought up a closed fist, uppercutting her in the jaw. The serpent-woman had not realized that wedged between her fingers was one of her broken claws, still quite long and razor sharp. The instrument pierced the unnatural scales through the bottom jaw with ease, reaching deep into her skull. She fell backwards, dropping Hecuba and slamming into the marble with a crash, her tail twitching in short spasms. The Spartan had claimed the broken fragment while lying on the ground feigning greater pain than she felt. Calmly, she picked up a second of the broken talons, gripping it tight. Echidna tried to speak, but only a sickening gurgling noise would escape her lips. She tried to remove the talon, but each attempt only resulted in more pain.
"H-how…"
"Your children," Hecuba groaned as she approached. Her guts were on fire, but for this she found the strength to finish her words. "So many were invincible or weapons did not hinder…yet they were felled in the end. Did you even care to remember how? The Nemean Lion, strangled and skinned by his own claws, Medusa turned to stone by her power, the Hydra's venom used to burn its necks to prevent regrowth…"
The mother of monsters' eyes widened, she understood the point but Hecuba would not relent.
"You are your own worst enemy. Mortal weapons may be unable to break your skin, but your bones and claws were not made by mortals nor born of them. I am glad my theory they inherited that self-defeating weakness from you rather than their fathers proved true. Stay dead this time, and know that had I access to my honored ancestor's blade this would have been over in a single swing."
Without another word she punched forward, lodging the second claw into Echidna's forehead. The beast-woman snapped back, slamming into the wall before crumpling to the floor. Her eyes were locked upward, that look of shock still present in death, she did not move again. Only after being certain of that did Hecuba allow herself to collapse, using her teeth to tear off strips of her under-tunic to use as bandages.
Steady, deep breaths, keep the metabolism slow and the bleeding won't be fatal. I need to remain calm, still and…
As if the gods themselves had turned against her, Hecuba heard the march of feet. They were scattered, clumsy and numerous, she could tell full well they were not her men. Sure enough, an impressive horde rounded the corner comprised of Siren's, Cyclops, men and more. They briefly looked afraid at the sight of Echidna's body, however their fragile courage returned upon noticing Hecuba's injuries. There were no spare weapons in arms reach as they advanced on her. Even as badly wounded as she was, they worked to surround her and prevent any chance of escape or counter attack.
Before the first line could reach her, they howled in pain, collapsing onto the ground with a final twitch. The rest followed suit, from high above arrows filled those below, they looked to the skies yet had no means to defend themselves. After a quick several seconds, the hallway was silent again, the entire raiding party slain.
Hecuba could finally see her saviors as a flight of harpies of every color lowered to the floor, walking up to the incapacitated commander. She recognized the leader.
"Aella, glad to see you have been doing well."
"Uphold bargain we shall. *squawk* Sire of our foremothers is slain, no longer trapped between Scylla and Charybdis. For protection from Khaos…we fight for Olympus."
"Thank…you," Hercuba gasped as a pair of winged arms helped to bandage her wounds. "We have…to get back to the hall. My men can't hold much longer…"
Road Between Realms…
Get up Dorian…please, get up…
Dorian complied with Yggdrasil's request, after falling from Elysium he had laid prostrate on the branches within the Roads, awake yet unwilling to move.
It's all gone, he could not help but lament. Deep down he knew it was all an illusion, a heaven meant for those whose time was done, yet still he recalled everything. Every second of joy, every minute spent with his wife, his children's birthdays, years of triumphs and accomplishments…and none of them beyond Olympus had been real.
Your friends are in need, you must go to them.
"How?" He asked weakly as he slumped up to a sitting position. His body was still craving a return to Elysium, it was literally perfection. "Your roads only reach across the nine realms; with Olympus' defenses up no matter where I come out I have no way back."
No longer…you and my daughter are extensions of myself, my will to bring all together once more. Where you go, my branches shall follow.
Dorian leaned back, understanding her meaning. "You created a road to Olympus while I was there?"
Not just a physical path, but a much deeper one.
"Hestia's fire," perhaps he had gained some wisdom from the false years for Dorian already could guess what had transpired. "That was thanks to you I imagine?"
Yes, and it is not alone. Given time, I can understand the home of the Olympians. Not just their people, but their very essence just as I did for the nine realms…and then so shall you. The soothing fire was just the beginning.
Dorian's mind was racing; he had yet to learn the powers of the nine realms channeled through the Sacred Gear on his arm yet now he was receiving even more. How could he hope to live up to what he was capable of accomplishing with such strength?
It is quite far, many hours travel, but you can reach it and reunite with them. You must hurry, Olympus burns.
Dorian staggered to his feet, still moving like one in a daze. The memory of what he had gained then lost still weighing heavily on his mind. In that moment he could barely find the will to stand.
"I'll…never make it in time," he groaned once more. "Even with the dilation effect in here."
Of that you are mistaken.
A soft clip-clop sound warned him he was not alone, turning around; Dorian came face to face with four red harts. Each of them was large enough to comfortably carry a small Jotun on their back though as he stared they had already started to shrink until he could mount them. One by one they bowed their heads.
You did not believe that Ratatoskr was the only denizen of my boughs did you? She asked almost playfully. Their names are Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Duraþrór, long have they been my friends.
"We may guide and bear you the rest of the way," the lead hart Dvalinn assured him. His lips did not move, rather Dorian could hear his words in his mind clear as day. "But it will be in vain lest you have the will to continue once we arrive."
Yggdrasil appeared before him, and beside her was Iggy. The two held out their hands, beckoning to the largest of the four harts.
No, Freyja, Thrud, Hecuba…Rossweisse…everyone is fighting for their lives. It's not over yet. Dorian asserted in his mind as he grabbed a tuft of red hair, pulling himself upon the great steed's back. It was not over, not by a long shot.
Olympus near the Armory…
Thrud leapt over the legendary hero's swing, cracking him upside the head with a kick so powerful it knocked him into the wall and shattered it; the very air current from the blow could be felt by Rat across the hall. Heracles didn't stay down long, recovering and following through with a barrage of punches, one of which struck home at Thrud's collarbone.
A concussive explosion detonated at the point of contact, slamming her backwards. The shoulder was burnt, the golden Valkyrie armor dented and cracked. She was covered in scorch marks and bruises from similar impacts; the towering warrior's Sacred Gear seemed to cause explosions wherever he touched however slightly. Once again she had to wipe away blood from a wound over her right eye.
Heracles was faring little better; his own armor had been shattered to reveal his blue Japanese uniform and his left eye was swollen shut. He did not look pleased at how well she was doing as clearly he assumed a quicker fight. Unfortunately, he had taken less injury than the daughter of Thor and was winning through sheer attrition thanks to his Sacred Gear.
Their conflict had spread throughout the hall they occupied, not one pillar remained standing nor could a single smooth surface be found between the explosions and collateral damage. The Amazons and Ratatoskr had been forced to reposition themselves a dozen times to remain out of the kill zone.
Ratatoskr was standing on the sidelines not far from the Amazons that had accompanied Heracles; each eyeing the other as often as they could pull their gazes from the battle. The fact they had betrayed Olympus still baffling the small rodent. Fortunately, it seemed without any input from their leader the intimidating women were unwilling to join the fray.
"Whew, you ladies reek," he pointed out, holding his nose to accentuate his point. "Did Amazonian perfume fashion choices change in a few millennia?"
None of them reacted to his words.
"You fight better than I thought," Heracles mocked Thrud as she unlatched her now-useless shoulder armor. "If the brat down below had this much spunk I might have had some fun before coming up here."
Thrud's eyes locked onto his own, her gaze narrowing towards him.
"Brat?"
"The retainer bookworm, he looked so ferocious, wanting to take me on himself…I beat him into paste with less effort than it takes to clean my boots."
"Dorian?" Heracles' smile at the mention of his name was truly horrifying.
"So you knew the boy? Well at least you'll be heading to meet him soon, just stand still and you can be together again."
He rushed forward, winding a fist back as Thrud held her ground, eyes wide at the implication that Dorian had been slain by the man standing before her. Her composure went limp for a moment as the realization set in, not even attempting a defense. Heracles did not relent as his fists neared her skull. The daughter of Thor reached out at the last possible second, her hands catching his consecutive punches before either could get through. As expected, they exploded violently, covering the two in a thick layer of smoke and dust, Heracles laughing the entire time.
His laughter did not last, even before the smoke cleared he realized something was wrong, he could not pull back his hands. Thrud's eyes had not wavered; even through the detonation into her palms she ignored the pain, eyes watering and burning with tears. She held each of the Greek hero's fists in her grip, both hands blackened and charred by the explosion. Ratatoskr could hear the cracking of his bones as her vice-like grip tightened, the squirrel could scarcely bear to look in her eyes.
They were the eyes of a monster; there was no doubt in her mind she wished to rip every limb from the traitor's body before he died. If she had her way his end would not be quick.
"Can't double up the explosions without additional impacts can you, you son of a bitch?" Thrud was scaring Rat, he had never seen her this way. The old tales of Thor before the peace told of his ferocity and merciless nature in battle. In that moment, it appeared Thrud had inherited more from her father than they ever imagined.
Heracles brought up his knees, burying them into Thrud's gut over and over. Explosions went off again and again, yet the she held her ground even as it blasted through her armor, leaving her toned muscular midriff bare and burned.
"You can't wi….GAAAHHHH!"
The descendant of his namesake cried in pain as her grip continued to tighten without limit. Despite pulling back as hard as he could he could not free himself, her fingers were charred, skin flaking from the explosion as blood leaked from every joint and crack yet she ignored them utterly. Thrud took a step forward, then another; her eyes almost seemed to crackle with the lightning for which her family was known. She had abstained from wielding such power beyond augmentations for her weapons…her body never was much suited for magic beyond Sage Arts.
Even Rat shuddered at the sound of bones breaking as both Heracles' hands crushed inward with her advance as a surge of electricity disappeared within them. Only then did the Amazons leap into action, requiring the Norse goddess to release her opponent, immediately delivering a thunderous knee to the gut of the first to near her. Electricity covered the unfortunate attacker as she was sent backwards, pulverizing the wall.
Heracles raised his bracer, the coil wrapped around it glowing brightly, commanding the army of warriors to attack. He was done with the single combat, he would sacrifice as many as it took to bring her down.
"I knew I recognized that stench!"
Heracles had no idea what happened, one moment he was directing his Amazons to overwhelm Thrud, the next an enormous squirrel was suddenly towering over him, locking its teeth around his arm and bracer, biting down like a vice.
The Khaos Brigade commander gritted his teeth in pain, winding up he planted a powerful elbow right into Ratatoskr's forehead. The poor rodent was thrown backwards by the resulting explosion, his size shrinking back to normal. Thrud leapt high, catching the battered squirrel before he could impact the far wall.
"Ratatoskr…Rat!" She shouted in genuine concern as the rage in her eyes seemed to abate somewhat. "Are you okay?"
He was silent, before weakly raising his head and spitting out a few flecks of gold along with a tooth.
"Did anyone get the number of that bitch? My grandmother hit harder than that AFTER she died." Despite his words he remained in a prone position, head spinning.
Sure enough, the gold band surrounding Heracles' arm was ruined, gnawed through in the short time Rat's teeth had been locked around it. The bright shimmering gold slowly dimmed until it finally died before disintegrating into dust. The army of warriors stopped, staggering backwards and shaking their heads. The haze over their minds binding them to the relic of their ancestors had finally been broken, they were free.
"Mind-control magic always has the WORST smell," Ratatoskr explained. "It was all over them and his arm. Are you so limp-dicked you gotta brainwash the women around you? I'd call you a son of a bitch but that'd be an insult to the species!" He roared towards the now-surrounded opponent.
"Damn you," Heracles took a step back but found no relief that way. "This is far from over." Reaching into a pouch with his broken hands, Heracles fumbled to release a red gem, allowing it to fall to the ground.
"BACK UP!" Rat shouted as the beaten hero slammed his foot on it as hard as he could.
A swirling portal matching the red of the gem opened between them; before anything could be said he jumped inside, the schism in the air disappearing just as quick.
"Fucking coward!" Rat called out as if he could still be heard. "Get back here and fight like a man!"
The warriors of Themyscira approached the panting goddess, but she held up her gruesomely maimed hands, assuring them she did not need aid. She was still coming down from the high of her killing intent previously focused on Heracles. She did not want them to get near her.
"A great debt must be repaid today," the lead Amazon bowed. "Many of our sisters were forced into the army assailing your walls. They will be freed as well and will fight for Olympus…to whatever end."
"Just decapitate a few of those things for us ladies!" Ratatoskr spoke for Thrud. "Our odds of survival still aren't so great even with your aid."
They bowed before racing down the hall seeking to reinforce wherever they may.
"Need a moment big gal?" He whispered upon noticing Thrud's breathing had started to steady. She was wincing in pain, likely only now starting to acknowledge her injuries.
"Just…fine," she finally answered. "We can remain here until more come to help hold the armory. We will then…"
An immense concentrated shockwave from nowhere struck Thor's daughter in the base of her neck at point-blank range, her eyes instantly glazed over as she fell to the ground. Ratatoskr was thrown across the floor but quickly righted himself. To his horror, she did not get back up.
"Thrud!" Ratatoskr called out as a bolt of lightning forked from mid-air. He narrowly dodged it, realizing someone was using invisibility magic but he knew their scent…one of them at least. "I can't believe I ever wanted to give your saggy tits the blessing of my sight!" He cried to draw her ire, realizing his strength was sapped by Heracles' punch; he'd need to spend a month in the Roads to adjust his size again. With no other recourse he bounded away to find help.
"Perverted little…"
"Calm yourself Despoina," the leader of the assaulting army chided as the two shimmered into existence. She saw no reason to continue hiding themselves. "He is insignificant; she was the mightiest of their numbers and thanks to that brute has been dealt with at virtually no effort. The armory lies beyond, we must not tarry."
"I still say we should head to the Grand Hall," the traitorous goddess gripped her weapon tighter. She did not like delays, not when she had come so far.
"Our troops will ensure the gods do not go anywhere, once finished here we may pay them a visit…and you can say all you have wished to for so long."
Despoina only glared at her benefactor within the Khaos Brigade, nodding in reply the two turned towards the near-undefended armory of Olympus. Thrud was down for the count and the few soldiers stationed within would stand no chance before them, then the weapons and powers hoarded by the Greek gods would be open…to him.
Heart of Olympus…
Rossweisse bobbed and weaved, avoiding a hail of spears and arrows aimed for her as one of the few fliers. Lines of fire from the mouths of the last remaining Cerberus impacted her barrier, the seal holding strong. The creature's magic disappeared into its depths before reemerging amplified back upon them. The fire scattered the troops though could not pierce the Cerberus' hide. That did not save it, however as the energetic Reaper swooped in, taking off two of the three heads in a single swing.
Rossweisse rushed to the edge of the field now cleared of foes, though the cost had been high. Only a handful of the initial soldiers lent to her by Erland could still stand and were being overwhelmed. She had to work quickly.
Once again her magic was ineffective, she had cycled through every element, explosions, gravity, even time dilation of varying intensities…none of it worked. Each attempt only added to her frustration as it disappeared within the depths of the energy. Bennia took several swings with her scythe, as a physical weapon it gave the field pause yet lacked the strength needed to break through. The counter force knocked the girl backwards into Rossweisse's arms.
"I…I can try to breach it with my body," Rossweisse announced. "If sufficient physical force can pierce it then I may have a shot at punching through with enough..."
"Did you see what it did?" Bennia held up her still-smoking scythe as evidence. "You are NOT coming back from that! The odds of you even reaching it are fifty-fifty AT BEST."
"I have no choice, for the good of Asgard."
"What about for the good of yourself?" The young girl countered, but Rossweisse did not listen. The Grim Reaper was still young and did not understand that in some circumstances such sacrifices were…necessary.
"Thank you Bennia, as soon as the barrier is down please try to escape with anyone you can." The young Valkyrie surrounded herself with seals many times over, layering defense, magic resistance and protection against everything she could imagine. If it held, perhaps she could reach the crystal alive.
Unable to look at her without welling up, Bennia turned towards the battle, the perfect situation to burn off her frustration as Rossweisse planted her feet.
I suppose I knew it would end like this in battle eventually, She lamented as she levitated off the ground, propelling herself towards the crystal at full speed. I just wish…I could have had someone special first; even one kiss from…
A massive blue portal suddenly emerged between Rossweisse and the field, blocking her path. At great effort she skidded to a stop, nearly being run over by the first thing to emerge from its depths.
A trio of red harts larger than bulls stampeded out into the chamber, forcing the silver-haired warrior to spin in order to avoid them. The three continued their path, bowling through any monster, beasts and assailants unfortunate enough to be in their way. Their extravagant antlers tore through armor and flesh without effort, not even the chimeras could withstand them and were swept aside.
"What in the worl…" she started as a fourth unseen stag collided with her, sending Rossweisse tumbling right into the arms of the rider. "Dorian!?" She cried with a blush upon realizing whose arms she found herself in. He was mounted upon the great beast and despite using both arms to hold her securely, maintained his balance and grip on Bright Star. She was almost uncertain if it was him, he had such a look in his eyes she had never seen him wear.
A look of absolute rage.
"I…I thought you were…" she started before snapping back to the situation at hand. "The crystal!" She pointed. "Destroy it!"
Dorian turned, without a word he extended his weapon to the maximum length and took aim, hurtling it as hard as he could towards the glowing crystal beyond. The swordspear impacted the barrier, meeting the same resistance as Bennia who was watching him from afar. The young Einherjar grunted, pushing it with all his might into the shield protecting the crystal. Bright Star held its ground yet made no headway against the barrier, he wasn't strong enough.
The exhausted young man felt a gentle hand join his own as Rossweisse added her will to his; seals etched themselves into his armor adding to his power. Dorian's strength surged with aid from the woman who taught him magic, a feeling he remembered far more intimately during his stay in Elysium.
With her…there is nothing I cannot do.
As soon as he thought that, the impossible weapon cracked the barrier, forcing an opening just large enough for it and nothing else. Bright Star continued its path until it collided with the misshapen crystal within, shattering it into a thousand shards of useless glass…
Dorian has returned to Olympus having joined the fray, leaving his ideal future behind. Will the young man's actions be sufficient to lift the siege? As always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D