DJDrake: No major spoiler XD Just a sneak peek of a scene in the future ;)
Wrath of Sun Deity: A good question, one I hope is answered to your liking today :D Alas this is not Marvel's Mjolnir, but hope is not gone yet.
FateBurn: Thank you.
ahsoei: You think so? I strove to ensure Skoll and Hati got the power they deserved as Fenrir's sons since they just lost in the anime with little fuss. The first required a Dragon King to best and the other has only lost an eye so far. As for the Sacred Gear...I never said he lost it ;) Just that with the gauntlet getting devoured his armor broke.
kaleb-yamato: Thank you, but I never said he lost his gear, merely having the gauntlet torn off shattered the armor which happened to Issei from a bite without any loss of limb. I hope you enjoy the path I take that outcome :)
reality deviant: That means so much, thank you! I agree, a weapon to rival the real one...and NOBODY decides to use that in canon again or even mention it? lol
CaedmonCousland: I appreciate such an in-depth review :D Indeed I felt the Oppai Fairy was out of place even in canon as it doesn't come into play again until the mid 20 volumes. It was almost like it was to be introduced sooner with this but fell by the wayside, even in Shin we know so little of her and the Goddess. As for Fenrir, exactly, one of the top ten strongest beings reduced to a footnote. I have plans for him going forward long-term ;) I am so glad you've liked the path I took for this story as I agree that canon DxD I loved most of the characters, setting and premise...but wasn't a fan of how it centered around a breast-obsessed pervert lol. Harems and romance will still be a part of the story, but not at the forefront of what I feel are more interesting events. Never feel the need to review every chapter, knowing you are enjoying it is more important. Don't let my story keep you from expressing yourself, I'd love to read a story idea you come up with and help if I can!
Natalie Jarrett: Indeed XD
God of war: Exactly my intent, to give a little present for readers and show how far I intend this story to go :) I felt the same, to be able to lift it with such relative ease felt off and they play it off that ONLY he could lift it...which I felt odd considering even Vali was there lol. Also, I never said he lost his gear, just that having the arm bitten off shattered his armor. I hope you enjoy where I take and and the next 50 chapters to come :D
Famond: She sees the selfless side of Issei that only comes out in battle while ignoring his more...questionable ideals lol. In canon pretty much every girl does that after a while but I always felt it actually fit Asia, for the rest if felt forced. Fear not, for Dorian will not allow such transgressions to go unpunished if he can help it.
fanficcyberman: You are so welcome, and thank you for reading and enjoying it for so long and here is to another 50 chapters ahead of us :D Skye is doing quite well, learning a few tricks and so far hasn't been kicked out of puppy obedience class...a win in my book! XD
OBSERVER01: Such is his burden :( To go through trials to protect his friends and loved ones.
Slayer Cross: Right, in the DxD world all healing requires to have the lost limb to put it back...considering Fenrir ATE it that will prove difficult. Too true about Issei XD The hammer disagreed with his idea of pure thoughts. Hmmm, I do always love a good conspiracy idea ;)
naruto: Thank you! Unfortunately Phenex Tears only work if you have the original arm, and Fenrir has made that impossible lol. I hope you enjoy...
Fbio: Too true, Fenrir reduced to a lackey and both his sons killed yet he never mentions them again and even starts serving Vali willingly, too much felt off. I hope I created an interesting alternative to canon events.
DragonXDelinquent: Oof, that would be pretty OP lol, just having Mjolnir grafted to your arm XD You aren't far off on Gleipnir's bindings...I did have Iggy mention that he'd have some more length leftover after binding Fenrir to use later ;)
Guest1: Poor Dorian...his first real kiss being stolen by Loki. He's lucky he's a god for Rossweisse and Thrud would not show any mercy.
Primordial Entity: No worries on the guest review nor taking so long to read/review. You enjoying it is what matters most. I do thank you for such a detailed review, it does my heart good to hear my goals have worked so well such as foreshadowing, world-building and setting up believable interactions. You are right on Dorian and Rossweisse being in love yet others look at him in a similar way, you mention Despoina? *strokes beard nonchalantly* Interesting. I hope you enjoy this chapter but I will tell you this...your tables will NOT be flipped ;)
Xyanth: I can't give away a spoiler like that ;) however I will say that she has known him since he was born and cares about him more than any man out there. Her emotions can be strong and most are focused on the man she feels safest around.
GunBlade2019: Precisely, I wanted to reflect that while Dorian and the others have had impressive leaps and bounds none have fought a TRUE god such as he. They are in an entirely different league than even Ultimate-Class devils. I most certainly will!
And with that...Onto the Show!
"Dorian, stay with me!" Rossweisse called out, slapping his face again and again harder with each strike. She had placed a rune on the stump of his arm but it was a useless gesture. A wound caused by Fenrir's teeth did not close easily even with her prodigal skills. The fact that a single fang of the wolf had been left behind did not help, being lodged in his arm and could not be removed despite Rossweisse's best efforts. The blood would not stop even with her leotard shredded and wrapped tightly around it now stained completely crimson.
"Boss!" Ratatoskr rushed to his side, planting Twilight Star into the ground before biting his shoulder using the pain to keep his friend conscious.
"Hmmm, an interesting conundrum," Loki stared completely uncaring at the incapacitated Einherjar and grieving Valkyrie. "Can you open the path without your arm? I would think so, you better as I will need to retrieve my son. Perhaps a little pain will…"
Loki's observations were interrupted by a mace cracking him across the face. Thrud stood dual-wielding her brother's weapon and her own axe both crackling with lightning as Asia sought to mend the Aesir's shattered wrist. The daughter of Thor's face was warped in rage more terrifying than it had been before her brother's arrival. Those around couldn't be sure, but the fringes of tears threatening to fall could almost be seen within her eyes.
"I'm going to use your skull as a stein!" She roared, catching the traitorous god in the gut. He went flying high into the air before righting himself, his own powers of flight correcting his position. She kept up the pressure, following behind him.
Dorian, don't die, don't you DARE die. You've survived more than that; I need you alive to… Her rage was so great she barely acknowledged surprise when he grabbed Gulbjorn by the blade.
"Insolent wench!" Loki held a hand out, releasing a shockwave of power that extricated the goddess from her weapon, driving her into the ground to shatter the Earth beneath. Flipping her stolen weapon over, Loki flung it towards her still-recovering body.
A clang of metal echoed as Gulbjorn was deflected, driven harmlessly into the snow. Defiantly, the three sword sisters of the Crossroads stood prepared to defend their teammate. Each were exhausted, even with Asia, Kuroka and Koneko's healing there was not enough to fully go around.
"Issei help with the last wolf!" Rias Gremory commanded, she and Akeno standing side-by side once more prepared to unleash their combined Holy Destruction upon Loki. Vali and Arthur were still standing against the last son of Fenrir whose rage had peaked with the loss of his father.
"Yes President!" He half-saluted in his red armor.
"Even without my son, you are all beneath me!" The Norse god roared as the clouds above started warping by his will into a raging tempest. "The only things left on this mountain when I am finished will be your charred skeletons!" One after another tremendous blasts rained from the sky across the field.
As the remaining fighters of Rias' Peerage and the Crossroads met with Loki's might, Rossweisse remained set on tending to Dorian. His body was cold, eyes barely focusing while he gripped her intently, though she was uncertain whether it was because it was her or if he was locked in painful spasms.
My gauntlet is gone, is my gear gone? The questions swirled in his shock-raddled brain. Iggy, my armor…my arm. What will happen now?
"Rose?" He gasped through the cold block that had seized his chest.
"Don't talk!" Rossweisse commanded sternly. "Breathe slow and steady and don't you DARE go to sleep!"
Don't go to sleep? Why is that so familiar? The fading Einherjar's mind remembered the same words as she had cradled him at Olympus pierced through the chest and dying. His thoughts fell back to what they had been back then. We aren't like that, but…we are like that, aren't we?
You are such a moron if you need to ask that.
Like the silence at the eye of a storm, Dorian's mind suddenly focused on the woman before him pushing all else to the wayside. Just as Odin Allfather had swung from the boughs of Yggdrasil to enter the Roads for the secret of runic magic, so too on the edge of death did the growing Einherjar have his own moment of absolute clarity.
"Rose, I need to…"
"What?" Rossweisse leaned closer, his words so soft she could barely make out a whisper. "I said you need to MMMMM….!"
As the silver Valkyrie drew in close to hear, Dorian moved forward to plant a powerful kiss upon her lips, wrapping his remaining hand around her and looping fingers through her flowing locks uncaring of who was watching. Rossweisse had intended to push him away, chastise the sudden action no doubt born of blood loss and adrenaline but that thought died quickly. Despite her initial plans, she instead found herself deepening the kiss, embracing him with uncharacteristic reckless abandon, neither in any rush to end it.
"Wow, talk about it always being the quiet ones," Ratatoskr mumbled as he silently took careful steps away from the couple to a safe distance. "I'm not here."
The others all paused, jaws dropping in succession as each spotted the romantic embrace upon the battlefield. Thrud clashed against Loki's defenses, catching the moment out of the corner of her eye, hands tightening around her weapon so strongly her knuckles turned white. The kiss went on and on even as the conflict raged, for the two there was nothing else but them. Finally after a self-contained eternity they parted, Rossweisse panting heavily with a glazed over expression and satisfied grin.
"Dorian, what…?"
"I love you Rossweisse, Rose." The words reverberated in the air besting even the surging gales around them. "I should have said it before now, before Olympus? Even sooner? I wanted to; even after I knew it had nothing to do with Elysium I wanted to tell you but…"
"Why didn't you?" She asked softly having erected defensive barriers around them taking the brunt of Loki's assaults. The mad god's torrent of blasts from the skies blanketed the field, several striking against her defenses and eroding them like clay.
"I don't know, it was like a feeling in my gut. I felt like if I reached out that something would pull you away before we could be happy. A foreboding sense, like…"
Like something is coming, something that will render any happiness we reach for moot. I should have ignored it, now it's too late.
"I hoped…" Rossweisse wiped a tear at his words. "I truly hoped, but you never seemed to look at me 'that' way." Dorian left out a soft pained chuckle as he realized how she meant.
"Rose, if I had no self-control at all I would be worse around you than Issei with other women. I may have been drunk that night but I meant every word. Your breasts are gifts from the gods, but so is the rest of you, every lock of hair, every curvature of your body and the light in your smile."
"Poor man must be further gone than we thought," Ratatoskr muttered with a sniffle to Asia, unable to stop from trying to lighten the situation, it was in his nature. "Comparing a smile to breasts like that."
The young Valkyrie's face flushed redder somehow than it had been already followed by a smile realizing that he did think of her in that way, even if he never expressed it as often as she would have liked. She caressed his cold cheeks with a spare hand as her blue eyes locked with his grey.
"I love you too Dorian, ever since…"
Rossweisse groaned in pain as one of her seals finally shattered from Loki's stray shots, all the same she ignored it, knowing if she moved it would expose Dorian to the assault. A bolt of lightning on par with Akeno's best attack sped towards the breach, reaching out towards the Valkyrie's exposed back. She gripped him tighter prepared for the hit. The pain never came, the strike being redirected at the last moment off into the distance, blasting Skoll in the haunches sending him crashing to the ground. The pair shivered as a new set of arms wrapped around filling them with warmth.
"I am always with you Dorian, that will never change."
The Einherjar looked up, eyes wide as he spotted a woman hugging he and Rossweisse, solemn tears falling down her cheeks. She appeared to be made of bark, her skin texture rough and coarse, hair woven strands of vines and roots culminating in extravagant braids upon her head. Her gown was that of nature shimmering a hundred hues though neither could determine what the fabric was made from. Despite the stranger's alien appearance, Dorian uttered her name with absolute certainty.
"Iggy." She nodded, joints creaking like a swaying tree in the wind.
"This is Iggy?"
"You can see her too?" Rossweisse nodded slowly, from the looks being thrown their way across the battlefield, she was not the only one.
"I'm so sorry Dorian," The daughter of Yggdrasil sniffled while pulling the two even closer together. "I was never truly the gauntlet nor confined to your mind. I just, I wanted a place to hide, where only you could see me. Everything felt safer that way, your feeling of worry for the future that created such hesitation...I fear it was mine."
"The gauntlet wasn't the Sacred Gear?" Iggy shook her head to confirm his words.
"Laerad Ragnarok…is me. I am the Betrayer of Ragnarok; the gauntlet was only an extension, one branch among many."
"An Independent Avatar Type!" Rossweisse blurted out the answer as it came to her as to the identity of Dorian's Sacred Gear. "You can manifest as a separate entity from Dorian like Sairaorg's pawn Hikari with Lupa?" Iggy nodded again looking wholly regretful and embarrassed both in being seen by the entire battlefield and not having told them sooner.
"This, this is the first time I have ever touched someone," she half wept through her words as she squeezed tighter. "I never imagined what this could feel like." With a flash of light she took on the illusion of her humanoid appearance that had manifested within Dorian's mind since first speaking with her in his conflict with Modi. "I am so sorry I could not save your arm, but such a loss cannot come close to severing our bond. I will always be with you Dorian in any way you need me."
"And I for your Iggy, you've watched out for me since I was born. I-it's about time I returned the favor."
With that final oath, Iggy burst into a sea of light shifting towards Dorian's bleeding stump. To their amazement, the light coalesced around the wound and stretched outward until a new arm took shape before their very eyes. It was longer than his last one and clearly made of the same wood-metal of his Sacred Gear groaning with each flex, Fenrir's tooth left behind still imbedded within. Dorian shook off the fatigue, fingers twitching to test their movement as he could feel every touch as if it were the real thing. The arm was not on its own as the gauntlet had been recreated but expanded upon with an ornate armor now grown into the flesh stretching up to his shoulder with an impressive pauldron. Dorian did not yet realize this fully armored look for his right arm was the new physical extension of Iggy, her power having expanded through the exposure of her true nature.
It will not last, Iggy lamented once within his mind again. I can only maintain this arm for a short time; I cannot give back your old one. Take what energy I have; what is mine is yours, always.
"Th-thank you," Dorian grunted as he struggled to his feet under the helping hand of Rossweisse. Looking up, he surveyed the battle around them.
BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!
DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE!
Vali and Issei's assaults were slowly overwhelming the remaining one-eyed son of Fenrir. Skoll slashed outward to be parried by Arthur wielding the final Excalibur blade looking for his opening. Simultaneously, the wolf's strength was being halved by Vali, his power able to affect the pup. Issei would not be shown up, boosting his strength before delivering a powerful Dragon Shot directly into the beast's midsection, setting off a massive explosion. Not even Skoll could contend with two Dragon Emperors and one of the strongest humans to walk the planet hailing from the line of King Arthur.
Those facing Loki were not so fortunate. Irina had been driven from the skies, Hecuba's injuries not fully healed as Xenovia could barely stand. Kuroka and Asia did what they could but it was a losing battle, Modi leapt upon Loki roaring to lock up his arms from behind as Thrud pummeled him once more in front, drawing blood across the god's face. Rias and Akeno had combined their powers once more, unleashing their fury upon him. Loki saw it coming, overpowering Modi he cast him before the blast leaving the youngest Thorson scorched black and plummeting to the ground. With no further backup, Thrud was bested one on one, her Valkyrie armor rent inward as she too collapsed to the ground.
"No!" Rias cried out while attempting to generate another shot. The energy would not come as she fell to her knees gasping for air.
"We have to help," Dorian took a step forward, staggering as his vision grew hazy.
"I will go; you have lost too much blood. Get to a safe distance, we will…"
"Like Hell I will!" Dorian's still human-hand cupped hers securely as he continued walking with her for support. "I wouldn't be much of an Einherjar if I just ran now would I? Worse yet, I'll never leave you Rose…for anything."
Stepping forward, Dorian reached out with his new arm, gnarled fingers wrapping around the haft of the replica Mjolnir still sunk into the Earth.
"Boss, what are you doing?" Ratatoskr hopped onto Rossweisse's shoulder watching the scene unfold.
"I'm…not…giving up," he tugged at the weapon modeled after Asgard's strongest. As with the others it did not budge even a little. "If we don't beat Loki now then everyone dies, Rias' team, Vali's, all our friends…"
Rose will die, not even Thrud can stop him, and he'll kill her too. I WONT let that happen to them, to any of them! He manipulated Hecuba, what he did to Baldur made Freyja cry, she...
It was with that final thought that the weight suddenly lifted from his limbs. He nearly lost consciousness from the rush of how unexpected the sensation was, both Rossweisse and Ratatoskr's jaws dropping open as the unthinkable happened. The replica of Mjolnir was lifted high into the air above Dorian's head gripped tightly in the makeshift hand provided by Iggy.
"D-Dorian?" Thrud groaned as she looked up at the impossible sight. "You're…"
"GONNA FUCK HIM UP!" Ratatoskr roared with a hop. "Give em a hand why don't ya…oof," the squirrel shirked back at his own words, "too soon?"
Rossweisse raised her hands, eyes glowing white with power as she etched magic seals upon the hammer of every element she could muster. Akeno was next, summoning her last bolt of lightning to wreath the weapon in holy energy.
Iggy, you're up! Black fire, Olympian lightning and all other powers from his gear turned the head of the mighty hammer into a miniature sun of power and light. With a pulse akin to a beating heart, the replica Mjolnir grew suddenly before doing so again and again towering over the field and attracting the attention of their foe.
"Will our people never cease these humiliations!?" He yelled, swooping down towards Dorian still planting his feet, the sudden size shift throwing him off balance. "To lift that weapon of all things!"
A flash of bronze sped towards Loki, forcing him to divert his attention, leaning back to avoid the shield missing him by the smallest of margins. Behind it within the blind spot, Hecuba lunged with her black blade angled towards his throat. Loki intercepted her wrist with ease, a sting of pain and splash of blood as her weapon found his arm, wounding even a god.
"You think yourself a hero, but you are a tool that has outlived its usefulness," he boomed. "Begone!" With a wave of his hand, a gravity seal drove Hecuba earthbound, binding her to the rock as the last of her energy was spent in the delaying tactic.
"You're the worst kind of god!" A red fist connected with Loki's nose as he turned from the first distraction. "Where is the god of bouncing breasts, I'd rather meet them than you!"
Issei Hyoudou arrayed in his full Balance Breaker stood between them next having broken off from Vali dealing with the significantly weakened Skoll. Having boosted many times, his blow managed to rattle the Norse God's bones, raising his ire even further. Dorian had finally gained his footing, gripping the replica Mjolnir with two hands as he started his rush towards their foe.
"Like crushing ants!" Loki seized the empowered Dragon Emperor by the throat, cracking the armor beneath his fingers.
He sensed the killing intent at the last moment, turning to see Thrud standing once more across the way where he had cast her down. Through the blood streaming down her face she aimed the bow of Heracles, a ballistae-sized bolt already focused on his head.
"You won't touch him again!"
She loosed the arrow the moment his eyes fell on her striking the last of his barriers, the head shattering in an instant. Unexpectedly, a green liquid which had been coated upon the tip continued flying towards Loki. The venom of a Hydra was not easily blocked especially by the weakened barriers.
"GAAAHH!" Loki roared in pain as the venom splashed into his face, eyes burning and sending the god into a world of black. "My eyes! How dare yo…?"
Twilight Star was raised high, given to Rossweisse by Ratatoskr she could not wield the multi-realm magics woven into its frame. She could, however, tap into the recent elemental attribute added by the dwarves of Nidavellir. A square barrier filled with water formed around Loki, buffeting him and throwing his sense of balance into chaos.
That move, Dorian could not help but think. It's the same one as…
"Goldie, do it!" Issei screamed as he freed himself from Loki's wildly thrashing grip and pushing to a safe distance. "Finish it so we can go home!"
"This is for everyone you've killed, framing Rossweisse, Thrud's brother, myself…and for Freyja's tears!" He added the last part as the memory of the woman who'd acted more of a mother to him sobbing from Baldur's attack renewed itself in great detail. With all his strength, he brought the hammer down on Loki with a thunderous crash.
The replica of Thor's might smashed Odin's former Blood-brother across his entire body, the weapon having expanded to being larger than him. Every defense the Jotun-Aesir could have ever conceived shattered with the blow along with all his strength. In that moment, a normal punch would have done damage but Dorian saw no reason to show any leniency upon such a traitor. With a roar worthy of any Einherjar of Valhalla he stepped forward, slamming the hammer directly down upon his head. Loki was driven into the Earth and crushed underfoot, an extravagant series of runes and magic seals exploding to life around him.
"The strongest sealing magic I have at my disposal!" Rossweisse boasted as the light enveloped him. "With the Thunder God's power behind them they will self-replicate to the point even you can never break them! Remain sealed in this pocket until the forces of Asgard come to take you!"
"A plague on all your houses!"
What?
"A plague on all your houses," Loki repeated, his voice echoing softer and softer as Rossweisse's runes mixed with the absolute power of the faux-Mjolnir. Despite his utterly broken body beneath the slab of enchanted metal his voice somehow still reached them. "Be cursed to suffer without rest to the end of your days, until the certainty of nothingness takes you."
The last of the magic circles dragged Loki into them, slamming shut until only the outline remained as a marker to where the god lay imprisoned. A silence fell across the field broken only by Skoll falling defeated by Vali in the distance, the last of Fenrir's sons barely breathing with all the fight beaten out of him.
"We…won?" Dorian gasped as he fell forward, still clutching the hammer, into an impressive pair of bosoms belonging to a familiar green-haired woman smiling down at him. Almost by instinct he nestled closer, an act she did not discourage.
"Sleep now Dorian," Iggy brushed his hair out of his eyes while savoring her chance to make physical contact with him again. "It is over, please rest…I'll watch over you."
"I told you…you were beautiful, tell Issei…he'd better not…" he sighed softly before drifting off to sleep breathing steadily finally able to rest at long last. Iggy brought a finger to her lips begging silence of the teams gathered around, none closer than Rossweisse and Thrud.
"He lifted father's hammer, even a copy?" Thrud muttered with a growing blush as she approached the handle locked within his grip. The combined purity of mind and strength to accomplish that task told her just how far he had come since she first throttled him in the halls of the palace.
"An impressive feat," Modi agreed feeling less shame at having lost to Dorian. "We will need to free his grip, when father arrives he can…"
As the youngest son of Thor reached to loosen Dorian's fingers, the metal spasmed, shrinking down again and again until it was only the size of a small one-handed hammer akin to his mace. In a flash, the weapon pulled back, disappearing into the depths of his Sacred Gear gauntlet before the temporary arm disintegrated to leave a one-armed Dorian sleeping peacefully. The last persistent tooth of Fenrir only then clacked harmlessly to the floor finally torn free.
"Uh oh," The two warriors muttered as they realized in the present state they had no means to retrieve the weapon now residing in Dorian's pocket dimension reserved for his equipment within the Road Between Realms. "Um, how do we get it back?"
Across the Field…
"It is done," Vali sighed as he and Arthur stood over the bested Skoll, frustration burning in his voice. "Fenrir should have been ours."
"The beast was beyond Excalibur Ruler at full strength," Arthur explained. "Now he is out of our reach."
"For now," the White Dragon Emperor admitted. "His pup is not so strong but may be worth our efforts today."
"Dunna even think about it."
A lightning strike crashed between the White Dragon and Skoll's body driving them back. A contingent of troops from Hell, Heaven and Asgard appeared before them fanning out to secure the field. The troops of Asgard approached Vali led by a man in steel-blue armor and flowing crimson cloak. His yellow hair seemed to glow in the reflected light off the scattered snow. Planting a flaming greatsword between them, he stared down the Pendragon swordsman almost begging him to challenge the ultimatum.
"We'll take the runt, who knows…without his papa he may na be so bad," Magni grinned confidently realizing full well the Vali Team's true goal. "Yer assistance in this battle has been appreciated and we willna bring you in fer the summit…but dunna think yer owed a consolation prize.
Vali's fists clenched tight in restrained rage. Their reason for joining the fight, a means to level the playing field against his true foe, had been lost to them without even a substitute. He wanted nothing more than to divide the child of Thor into nothing but he knew better. At full power it would have been trivial; however with the still-bleeding wounds from Fenrir and Skoll, such a battle would be pointless and group them with the Khaos Brigade in their eyes once more. He had said his ties with them were cut and he meant it.
"Do what you will," Vali threw his arms up with a sigh of boredom. "The battle is won, that is what matters."
"Indeed."
The thunderous voice of Asgard's strongest warrior reached them as his chariot landed, the dark-haired goddess he called his beloved at his side dual wielding blades her daughter's had been fashioned after in the past. He touched down overlooking the field seeking in vain any opponents still standing.
"Well said my son," he clasped Magni on the back. "Find your sister and brother; from the look of things our reinforcements are not needed." His voice was oozing with disappointment. "Where is that replica of Mjolnir? Oh how I wished to lay eyes upon the work of the dwarves."
Not long after…
While Dorian was taken away for healing under the watchful eye of his team, the largest houses of Hell and their peerages worked to cover up their presence on the mountainside that day. Skoll was led off in chains along with the seals holding Loki, the wayward god utterly immobilized and unresponsive beneath Rossweisse's runes. His son's location was known from the detailed report of Akeno and Rias, however with no means to reach him they were content to let him lie until a more permanent plan might be conceived.
"I am glad you survived," Sona remarked to her pawn with her stoic expression, the slight red on her face the only indicator of her deeper meaning.
"I won't be dying anytime soon," Saji gave a thumbs up while his many injuries were being tended. "I would be a pretty poor excuse for a servant if I were to go anywhere before fulfilling your dream."
As they went over the events of the day, the Sitri Queen came across an unconscious Kiba only recently removed from Honda's armor. He was resting peacefully with his head upon the lap of the former Church swordswoman.
"He is safe," Xenovia reported, instantly knowing Tsubaki's thoughts. "Asia will be taking care of him soon."
"I could not make it to the portal in time," Tsubaki answered, her outer shell of propriety cracking the slightest amount. "Thank you for being here with him."
"I will always be there for him," Xenovia held him a little tighter. "Do you feel the same?"
There was a moment of silence before Tsubaki opted for honesty, seeing no one around to overhear or a reason to doubt Xenovia's discretion.
"Yes." She took a seat beside them, holding Kiba's free hand tenderly. The student council Vice-President had always admired Rias' knight for his qualities and loyalty. After his besting her during the Rating Game, those feelings had only been fanned higher despite her knowledge of Xenovia's intentions.
"I have a feeling," the azure-haired fighter sighed. "The three of us will need to have a long talk soon. Church and Norse tradition favors a single wife while for devils a harem is commonplace, shall we discuss the ideological differences between our people?"
Not far…
"You all did good kids all things considered," Azazel patted Issei on the back as Asia finished healing the man she loved. "How does it feel to drop your first god?"
"I think he dropped me more," the Red Dragon Emperor groaned at the stinging; only smiling as he saw how close Asia was to him as his eyes drifted further south.
"Nonsense, did you see the damage Loki could do? Being able to tussle with him even a few minutes is impressive, from what I hear Dorian got the shot he needed thanks to everyone, you included."
"Thank goodness you are unharmed," a cordial, polite voice interrupted the compliment. Turning, the three spotted a short green-haired man flanked by multiple women approaching. In a single motion, he gently gripped Asia's hand and took a knee, kissing the back of it as she blushed furiously. "It pained me that I could not arrive in time to aid you, but I see all is well nonetheless."
"Who the hell is this bastard?" Issei gritted his teeth at the display of affection towards Asia.
"Ajuka Beelzebub's brother, Diodora Astaroth," Azazel answered his question while referring to the newcomer. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"As if I could stay away from the woman to whom I owe my life," he continued with the suave demeanor shared by students at Kuoh that made Issei's blood boil. "I was hoping to return the favor today."
"I-it's alright," Asia muttered silently. "Issei was here protecting me. I never thought I'd ever see you again."
"Asia, you know this guy?"
The former nun nodded, "I was excommunicated originally for using my Twilight healing on a devil, remember?"
"Of course I do, that was the reason those pricks at the Church…" Issei paused before glancing to the devil and back to Asia. "It was him?"
"That is correct dragon," Diodora answered while getting back to his feet. "I went to save Asia when I heard of her horrific banishment but found the Lady Gremory had rescued her from certain death first. It is now, later than intended, that I have returned to ask Asia's hand in marriage in thanks for all she has done for me."
The trio stood froze, uncertain how to respond to such a sudden proposal. The silence was noticed however did not deter the young devil's conviction.
"You need not answer now, of course. I would ask you to think on it, but know that I would spend the rest of my life treating you how you deserve to be for all that you have done for me."
Issei stepped forward prepared to deck the man for his words, only for Azazel to hold out a hand.
"You just got out of fighting one devil noble," he reminded him of the battle with Riser Phenex. "Picking a fight with a second isn't the best idea. Don't worry, Asia is a smart girl, she knows what she wants."
He better back off, Issei grumbled internally. I won't give up Asia to just anyone, not after all we've been through…
Closer to the Mountain…
"Keep still, I am almost finished," Michael smiled over Hecuba with raised hands bathing her in the light of Heaven.
"You do not need to Lord Michael, the red-haired Spartan assured him. "My wounds aren't serious and I am sure others can use your aid."
"Others can, but I wanted to ensure you were well. Asgard arrived after your departure with proof of your innocence. Once I was freed it was only natural to come here first. I knew you would not fail."
"It felt like there were a few chances at failing," she groaned as the last of the pain receded. "If it weren't for Gleipnir and the hammer we would have been bested before backup arrived. And what I did to Baldur…"
"I cannot say in that regard, though your will was not your own it was still your own hand that maimed him. Asgard may have come but Odin and Freyja are still silent, he may yet survive. For now, take care of yourself and the opportunity to rectify your mistake may yet reveal itself."
A chance to fix what I did? What act could I possibly perform for nearly slaying the Norse god of light?
While Michael concluded his healing, his ace Irina was not far. With a determined gaze she approached the Pendragon heir sitting upon a rock. Being one of the strongest humans he had declined healing for as little as that prevented Kuroka from helping him anyway. He sensed her approach, knowing full well the reason for it as the Excalibur Ruler in his possession began to glow, synergizing with the fused blade at her hip.
"You hold the last," the ace of Heaven remarked with absolute certainty. "The rest reside within mine."
"So they do, this one has been in my keeping for some time and all of them to my ancestor even longer. I could demand their return…no," he looked away with a shake of his head. "Excalibur was ever given to my family, twas never ours truly and even if it were once upon a time I gave up that right the night I fled."
Irina felt, somehow, that she understood him in that moment having heard of his sudden departure from his family estate. Whether it was the deep contemplation on his face or a linking of blades across ages they would never know. Whichever the case was, he was a descendant of heroes like Hecuba and while he served the Vali Team, he had never shown reason to doubt his word. With an unshaken demeanor, he extended a hand gladly accepted by the young woman.
"I serve Vali and we may yet have need of this blade but here I do swear that we will revisit this conversation again. When next we meet, we may consider the future of your blade and mine."
Far away…
"See Ophis," the mysterious woman smirked at her companion. "Quite the mosaic that was painted today, all happened in such a way that would seem mundane yet feels…different."
"He can go where he pleases but only after he has been there once," the dark-haired girl replied without a hint of emotion in her voice.
"That is far from the most interesting aspect of him. Why not ask the anomaly to go into that Road of his? Seems like a good solution to your dilemma."
"It is too loud in there and he has never been to the Gap truly. If he enters there on his own…that would change. But the red one has ties to Great Red through his Sacred Gear…"
"So be it," the young woman's golden eyes shone brighter. "The way things are turning out, you may actually have a reason to interact with your siblings for the first time in eons. That would be something...new."
Back in the Underworld…
A burning sky, ruined landscape and naught alive as far as the eye could see. Dorian had this dream before but not so vibrantly in many months and seldom recalled it. The golden-haired man ran through the bodies nostrils aflame with the stench of death, stumbling and collapsing before a familiar pile of rubble that had undoubtedly once been the Crossroad's Tower and Hyoudou residence.
Light dies, winters rage, giants march, the old sacrifice for the new as the Nagalfr sails. These are the portents to this future. The daughter of Yggdrasil reveals her true self and thus your window to her mind is opened wide. I can't protect you any longer, stay safe…while time remains.
Dorian shot up, immediately coming into contact with something soft. He recognized the sensation immediately, reaching out to embrace the woman who was sitting at his bedside and whose breasts he had just face-planted between.
"Rose…"
"Dorian," her voice was as music to his ears as she pulled him closer uncaring as to his current position. He had intended to fully embrace her, however quickly noticed only one arm held her close, the other a bandaged stump pressing against her side.
"My arm," he looked it over, remembering the pain of Fenrir's bite. His mind started racing, never having considered what it would be like to lose a limb.
"They tended to your injuries," Rossweisse explained. "However neither Phenex tears nor Twilight Healing can restore limbs without the original back. I am afraid there was nothing to be done."
And the damned wolf ate my arm!
"Are you alright?"
"I'll…be fine," he lied only a little, the consequences of having a single arm darting across his thoughts. It was only then Dorian noticed how packed the room was. Every member of the Crossroads was present scattered around the cramped room. Once they realized he was awake and aware the floodgates opened, everyone rushing close around his bed.
"Every time!" Herja called out with a huff.
"Who would keep Hecuba from killing me without you?" Bennia floated above the crowd. "I can't restrain myself, I'd explode!"
"We'll get you a new alone-time hand boss!" Ratatoskr swore. "Iggy's temporary looked good and all but beware of splinters, plus it'd be technically her doing it…"
"Is it true the daughter of Yggdrasil can be seen?" The scattered questions and conversations grew silent as Thor stepped forward, the group parting before the might of one of the strongest warriors in the world.
"It is."
Without another word, small wisps of light akin to fireflies emerged, coalescing into the young woman standing tall before the gathered crowd. She retained her humanoid appearance, face flushed in absolute embarrassment that so many could behold her. With shaky hands, she bowed forward sharply; blurting out every word so fast they nearly ran together.
"I-it is a pleasure to meet you all! I am sorry I kept myself hidden for so long and ask your forgiveness!" Thrud was the first to approach, eyeing her up and down appearing quite serious. Iggy shirked back only for the powerful goddess to lean forward and hug her close.
"It is OUR pleasure to finally see you, thank you for always being there for Dorian."
That ice-breaker gave leeway for the others to slowly move in; not wanting to frighten her any more than she already was. The introductions and well-wishes poured in, Dorian giving a sigh of relief that he had some breathing space with only Rossweisse and the other guests remaining by his bedside.
"To lift the weapon of a god to crush another," the towering giant Sairaorg remarked with a pat to the back. "I would never have imagined such a feat, heal fast and grow strong for one day I would cherish the chance to fight you!"
"Um…sure," Dorian grinned awkwardly remembering the fate of his arm when last they met, the somber tone settling in as he realized it was the same he now lost.
"Do not let this claim your fighting spirit!" He continued. "From the trials you have endured, a missing arm will be nothing I am certain. Adapt to your new reality and come find me when you seek a challenge!"
Seekvaira approached next, hands crossed with one pressing on the location where her wings would emerge; the one Dorian had taken to save her life.
"We were both maimed," she sighed. "Were it not for your intervention who knows what may have happened today. It would appear your Crossroads can be more effective than I first believed."
"You're welcome," he managed a grin, knowing full well what she was trying to say.
"I hear that you are in need of a representative from Hell for your team," she adjusted her glasses while acting as if what she said next was the most natural thing in the world. "In that case, the House of Agares agrees to support your efforts. I will be joining as the attaché between your team and Hell."
"You will?" Dorian didn't know what else to say.
"That is correct," Seekvaira cleared her throat softly. "I am uncertain how much time I will be able to spend at your tower, but I expect rooms available and accommodations for my team and I among your numbers. Also my peerage will remain under my own command."
"Done, done and that was never in question," Dorian assured her. "This isn't a peerage; I am not your master nor you a servant. We work together for the betterment of all parties involved."
Not even Seekvaira could withhold a smile at those words.
"Glad to hear it, I had a few thoughts for sharing ideas between our people. I have a sixteen page document detailing…"
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?" A horrified nurse asked as she entered, witnessing the absolute chaos. "This man needs rest, everyone who is not family please wait in the lobby!"
There was resistance but it was futile in the end. Within a matter of seconds the crowds had been ushered out wishing him well before being jettisoned into the hall, even Iggy retreated back into Dorian's mind at the harsh stares of the woman. The only ones remaining were Rossweisse and Thrud with her own family. The nurse very nearly demanded their departure again before spotting the Einherjar and silver Valkyrie's interlocked hands.
"Five minutes," she threatened in a softer tone before slipping out.
It was a unique moment as Dorian beheld those that remained including Modi and Magni, nigh identical to except for differing hair color of brown and yellow. Thor, God of Thunder alongside a raven-haired woman with features so similar to Thrud she could not be anyone but her mother.
"Lady Sif?" He asked hesitantly.
"Thank you Dorian Held," she answered sternly with a gaze even stricter than Seekvaira's. "For helping our daughter, and," she glanced over to Modi and Magni in the corner. The pair were in the middle of an arm wrestling competition. When it became apparent neither were getting anywhere the brothers followed up with a devastating head-butt and bellowing laughter uncaring of their parents nearby. "I haven't seen Modi so happy in years. Loki's machinations on him were horrid but my heart is joyous to see my boy whole again."
"And…what about Baldur?" Rossweisse glanced around the room noticing the lack of Freyja or Odin. Her heart plummeted at Sif's expression.
"Baldur…is still dying. The Allmother has not left his side and uses every ounce of energy to slow the poison yet so far nothing has stopped it. Odin rules alone for the time being until a solution is found but at present, the outlook is bleak."
"There must be something I can…"
"There is not," Thor interrupted Dorian in an instant. "If the knowledge of the gods is lacking, there is naught you can do." His tone was harsh but not cruel, merely truthful. "Live your life for now, recover and if there is a change, we will send word through Skilja."
In response, the raven at the edge of the bed let out a loud caw before landing on its owner's shoulder pecking his skull for food. Dorian reached into the pocket of his jacket sprawled across the bed for a handful of corn he presented if only to dissuade the assault on his head. The raven gobbled it up greedily before soaring out the open window to the blue skies.
"We will let you rest," Sif concluded while approaching his bed, laying a surprisingly large object in his palm. "Here, a souvenir of the beast. Fenrir's fang is quite the trophy as you were the one who drove him from the field. For besting Loki as well you will be given a chance to claim something of his. But for now, know that should you ever find yourself within Asgard's halls again you will always have a place at our table."
"At the head of the table if you want," Thor gripped Dorian's shoulder roughly. "Perhaps sitting on Thrud's left…"
"Out!" Thrud shouted, spinning her parents on their heels to shuffle them out the door. "You get some rest Dorian, we won't be returning to Kuoh until you are better. OUT!"
"Fine fine," Thor grumbled as he was pushed from the room. "Where is Baraqiel? I hear he is visiting and we MUST share another round!"
"I should go as well," Rossweisse rose to head out only to be stopped as Dorian's hand would not release hers. Tenderly, he pulled his love back in close to kiss the back of her hand. To his great surprise, once they parted Rossweisse leaned down, kissing him upon the lips once more. "I-I'll be back in the morning, get some rest."
"I'm not going anywhere," his double meaning was not lost on her as she swayed out of the room still glowing from the realization that for all intents and purposes she and Dorian were now together, and all the things that entailed for the future.
As much as he loved his friends, Dorian was relieved when he could lay back into the soft mattress, setting aside Fenrir's hand-sized tooth before snuggling his head into the fluffy pillow. It had been a long couple of days and a chance for true rest set his mind at ease. He would not fall asleep quickly with the tense sensation lingering from his nightmare but just lying back was enough for him.
"Tee hee."
Dorian's eyes shot open at the sound, confused as he saw nothing in the dark room. Craning his neck around, he scanned for the source of the laughter to no avail. With apprehension, chalking it up to his nerves, he leaned back into his bed, eyes drifting closed once more.
"Tee hee."
He knew he heard something that time, sitting fully up he looked around again despite his apparent solidarity. As before, he found no one but as he laid back down his eyes remained opened…right up until weariness took him again.
"Oof!" Dorian gasped as a weight collapsed onto his lap, forcing him awake again. Knowing full well he wouldn't get that rest he wanted, he groaned as a familiar black-eared woman eyed him as if he were a long-sought meal.
"I thought they'd never leave," Kuroka whispered while bouncing playfully atop him, hands pressing against his chest in an imitation of the act she wished to begin.
"Kuorka!" Dorian tried to shuffle back but was pinned by her. "What are you doing here!?"
"To claim that proposition of aid you offered," she smiled, shifting down her kimono to reveal her ample breasts larger than most he had ever seen. She jostled them playfully, showing off their soft and bouncy nature while emphasizing her nipples. "It is a shame about your arm, but that won't slow us down I assure you. Do you want to start or shall I?"
"I didn't mean…" he started with gasp as she leaned down to kiss his chest without ever taking her eyes off his. "L-look in my coat pocket, left side…LEFT side!"
"You came prepared? It better not be a condom, you know why I'm here." She acquiesced to his command, hand dipping into the coat still hanging by the bedside.
"T-to help your people," Dorian spoke fast trying to keep focused on the reason he had asked to see her in the first place, the nekoshou's actions not helping the situation. "A means to repopulate the nekoshou."
"Oh we'll have aaallll night to do that," she teased again, finally locating a small hard object at the bottom of the pocket. "Oh my, if you wanted me to use a toy all you had to do was…what is this?" Kuroka pulled out a tiny pewter object barely the size of her thumb. It held an hourglass figure with the top and bottom being wider than the neck which was scrunched short reminding her of a drum. With a confused look, she turned the item over and over again trying to guess its purpose without success. "And here I thought I'd seen everything, what am I supposed to do with this?"
"Keep it," Dorian sighed in relief as the uncertainty slowed her down. "As thanks for saving Rossweisse and a promise from me to help."
"I don't understand," Kuroka leaned back, her sultry side muted if only for a moment.
"I spoke with Ajuka after our last conversation," Dorian finally slid out from under her to sit up in the bed. "On how a species with only two known members can hope to repopulate to a sizable number."
"Practice makes perfect," she answered, even when not trying she couldn't help herself.
"So…I asked him on the efficacy of another method, the same that helped them to restore their numbers after the war."
"That's impossible," she pressed down on him harshly now. "That only works on devils and angels!"
"Because they did research, developed the evil piece system into the Brave Saints for their specific races," Dorian fired back. "I asked him and Lord Beelzebub saw no reason that with time that the process couldn't do the same for your people. Nekoshou's aren't too far off from humans either after all and can even be reincarnated as devils. That is a Senet piece, an ancient Egyptian strategy game dating back thousands of years similar to chess or tafl, lord Ajuka had it made from the Agares crystals. The rules aren't completely known from how old it is but I can teach you what I know sometime, it seemed fitting considering your people."
"You're absolutely serious?" She looked between the piece and him, mouth hanging open slightly.
He did all this for an absolute stranger? Damn he must really have the hots for that Valkyrie if my saving her is truly what prompted this. Too bad for the thunder girl unless he fancies sharing.
"Completely, but it's far from done and the piece has no power yet," he explained further. "According to Ajuka, in order to finish it will require time and samples from a nekoshou to base the reincarnation imprint off of; hair, energy, skin, that sort of thing. It would be infinitely more effective than two sisters," he paused as he tried to tactfully state the next part, "doing things the old fashion way. He did specify that for it to be done in a reasonable amount of time, the template nekoshou would need to be nearby and available to provide the samples on a regular basis. Once finished, humans and other compatible species could be reincarnated into nekoshou."
"Mr. Einherjar, are you asking me to move into your place? And here I thought I was the fast one," her tail coiled around his thigh inching closer to his groin.
"N-not necessarily," he stammered as she started reverting to her default setting. "It would make it faster and the Crossroads are always seeking more members. Lord Sirzechs and Beelzebub even said it could be considered your punishment and probationary period under guard for your crimes over the years. But I understand if you would want to remain with Vali, you are on his team after all…"
Kuroka locked her legs around his hips once more, leaning into his face with a smile of unrestrained joy mixed with lust etched upon it greater than before.
"Why? Why would you do this? Don't give that BS about me saving your snow flower…I was the one who poisoned her to start with. Why would you REALLY do so much for me?"
"Saving Rossweisse was the catalyst," he assured her, using all his focus to ignore the awkward position between them while barely succeeding. "But not only that, you carry such a burden, you and Koneko both. I cannot imagine the pressure of an entire species on your shoulders." Dorian recalled Rossweisse's account of her words of leaving Koneko alone to pursue her own path, yet the affection she recently showed her sister was in direct counter to the idea she had no feelings whatsoever.
Did she push Koneko away so she wouldn't be similarly tasked with revitalizing their race? Asking her is pointless, she'd never admit it if it were true.
"So if I can help, not just you but Koneko and your people…I'll do it. She's a friend and I do work as an assistant teacher to a degree after all. Having to sleep with many powerful men out of necessity rather than choice…I don't know your interests admittedly, but I wouldn't want to live like that.
"You make it sound sooo terrible," Kuroka jested, however her face was more warped in thought than he'd ever seen the cat-woman before. Closing her fist tight, she held the Senet piece close to her still-bare breasts contemplating what it now symbolized once powered.
"Not only that, but the Crossroads were meant to bring the myths together. How better to build bridges with your people than by helping them reclaim a place in the world?"
To do so much for someone he barely knows, he actually spoke to the smartest devil on the planet to solve the dilemma I have thought on for years. Maybe those Valkyries wouldn't mind one more…I'll have to research this "Senet" game.
"I'll pack my things," she suddenly announced smugly as if it had been her idea all along. "How can I say no? I get the authorities off my back, live next door to my dear sister and most importantly," she leaned forward and licked Dorian's cheek to send a shiver up his spine. "I get to stay close enough to provide you with ANY samples you may need…"
What will it be like to have a choice instead of necessity? I look forward to finding out, if this little project of his works out then our children could be the new patriarchs and matriarchs of a revitalized nekoshou people!
"Maybe we can get started on a little housewarming gift," Kuroka started shimmying her kimono down lower. "Before anyone...nya?"
Kuroka found herself lifted by the collar of her dress having the dual effects of being pulled to cover her up while hoisting her off the pinned Einherjar. The emerald eyes of the strongest young Valkyrie in Asgard met the incorrigible woman's gaze.
"They said EVERYBODY out," Thrud growled. "That includes you."
"Of course it does," Kuroka replied innocently with a grin. "I AM surprised to see you back here after the others left already…sneaking back for the same thing I was after? I don't mind sharing and I am sure he wouldn't either."
To Dorian's supreme confusion, Thrud did not retort, yell or even threaten to break her bones. Instead, her face turned a light shade of pink, mouth flopping open without a word, at last the daughter of thunder just threw the mischievous cat over a shoulder like a bale of hay and turned towards the door.
"Get better Dorian, we can worry about everything else in the morning," she did not mention how the others were contemplating getting the replica hammer back from the depths of his Roads nor the other myriad of topics on her mind since catching his and Rossweisse's kiss. Tomorrow would bring the new day, for the moment she would let him be.
I should be more honest.
Finally Dorian was at peace again, the silence of the room as total as the darkness. Having felt as if he just ran a marathon, the young warrior of Asgard finally allowed exhaustion to reclaim him.
After surviving her, he thought as he drifted back to sleep, the jubilation that he and Rossweisse had finally said how they felt to one another the shining star amid a sea of doubt. Things may settle down for the time being. But how can I lead the Crossroads like this? With one arm I can't even fight properly even with Iggy's help to say nothing of what I'll need to say when the other students see me like this. And with Baldur still dying with Freyja and Odin working in Asgard, how much worse can it get?
You have no idea Dorian, that is one mystery you don't want to hear the answer to.
Elsewhere…
"You failed again," the shadowy figure cursed towards the bested God of Mischief from a distance beyond space and time, crushing the stone nearby into powder. "Another plan fallen through, I will need to begin again and…"
A flash of gold and silver lightning jettisoned the deceiver from his perch to crash upon the cold ground below. He raised seals that could hold back Armageddon, powers to end a nation on a whim in preparation for what was coming. They meant utterly nothing, shattering as the force struck them again, blow after blow raining across his face before the foe was finally cast down to feel the cold sting of godly steel upon his throat.
"You overplayed your hand and still failed," the calm voice of his superior chastised. "What is that…three times now?"
"And your vaunted merciful justice will give me another chance," he mocked before the steel pressed harder, drawing blood. He caught sight of the silver hair flowing from the man who had bested him past the radiating gold brilliance of his armor. "The justice you bring is fleeting as the wind, Tyrson!"
"That justice comes for you, my sisters will be here in due course and you will be placed even lower than Cocytus, of THAT you can be certain. Your meddling in past events is over, not even your daughter will be able to find you!"
"You do live up to your father's name," he chuckled with a mocking tone. "I commend you for finding me despite my best efforts but that will only delay the inevitable. As it happened before, Ragnarok shall be unleashed and the world will burn whether by my hand or that of my kin."
"We will always be here," Tyrson smiled confidently. "You failed then, you failed now and you will fail every time you try. I may not be an expert in temporal mechanics…but it seems the failure of Loki is a fixed constant in history, you are an even bigger masochist than I imagined!"
Dorian loses an arm but gains two new allies as the nekoshou Kuroka and devil Seekvaira join the Crossroads. Loki has been defeated yet powerful forces still work in secret swirling around the young Einherjar threatening to drag all his friends into the conflict. They return to Kuoh next time, seeking a return to normalcy in the wake of the storm or at least what can be considered normal to them.
Whew, the Loki arc is complete and a milestone is reached; Iggy's true nature is revealed as Dorian and Rossweisse finally say how they feel. I know that was quite the ordeal getting to but I assure you I had this planned from the start. Now they can let their relationship grow, evolve and face whatever may come from without or within.
I did have a question in regards to responding to reviews and future content. I adore interacting with my fans and responding to each review, however I noticed my author notes have been getting longer with each chapter and worried you may not like skimming through them to the story. So I put it to you the readers, would you prefer things as they are now with replies at the start/end of each chapter or should I respond to each personally via PM and only use author notes for updates and responding to Guests? Also, with romance playing a greater part of the story, more adult-themed situations may arise. Would you rather see these scenes play out or be implied more than described? Feel free to include your choices with a review or PM me directly.
I will be going on a bit of a hiatus for the season's end to plan ahead and work other projects, as always you have zero to worry about and I hope to be able to continue the next arc and onward late December or early 2020. Until then, I wish you all the best and hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D