Divine Blizzard: It's the best kind of entrance :D Very true, still got an army of monsters and the remnants of the Hero Faction going...hope you like part 1 of the finale!
Ragna126: Thank you so much for the kind words :) Vali is super interesting to write for, lots going on in the background to account for his actions that the other characters don't know about yet. You have good taste haha, those are 3 great options and I adore all of them as well. Rose will always be my favorite, but between Kuroka and Serafall it's a close call. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too! :D
Just a reader now a writer: Precisely ;) They can't get away with their plans so easily any longer as who can expect a legendary battleship out of nowhere? XD Which terrible show do you mean? lol.
avenger3576: What happened in the land of the dead will be shown here ;) As for the closest image to the Nagalfr in my head, I would say a mixture of an enormous Norse longship and a science fiction warship. The closest reference I've ever found to my idea is an amazing model made on DA named Raurond Serpent Skeid. I hope to have the Nagalfr drawn in full someday.
horakthy baraq: I am so glad you liked the events so far! And yes, Millicas may have been mostly a minor character, but I liked the concept behind him of the child of the strongest Satan and Queen. He has so much potential, I wanted to set that up even while he's young that he has a promising future ahead.
Hollowreaper 93: XD Indeed! Not just the ship but more than enough troops to halt the tide of monsters...at least until they can find a way to stop their spawning via Leonardo.
Star Wes: Serafall is in good hands ;) Few can heal better than Yggdrasil plus the remaining staff of the hospital. As for Cao Cao...Issei will make sure he gets what is coming to him.
fanficcyberman: If it was literally made out of toenails like the legend...I can just picture the Crossroads cleaning the HECK out of it lol. And yep, knowing the Oppai Dragon song is one of the few things we know about GR, maybe the Gap gets good reception. And you are not far off on Ratatoskr, he got the red bandanna and everything XD That is so true, but the work is all worth it to me especially when I get to hear from people who truly enjoy it like you. And as you said, even constructive criticism I accept as I know full well I am not perfect. It means more than I can say that you've enjoyed it all this time and made your feelings known. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New year as well and a better one for 2023 ;)
Dragon Bone Z: Haha, thanks! And hotter to come for the final battles in Lilith, I hope you enjoy every bit of it.
Okaze: Bennia x Millicas? Yea, they are super cute together. Right now she's a good friend and wingman for him...but as the years go on, it could evolve to something more :)
7: Well, Michael sees Irina more like a daughter, so that couldn't happen though with how Irina is going though, her kid would be a very powerful angel. In regard to the power between Sirzechs and the first Lucifer, that is actually from the Light Novel. The first Lucifer was 1 of 4 Old Satans and it's canon that all of them combined aren't as strong as Sirzechs currently is when at full power (In fact, it was said that the Old Satan kids with Ophis' snakes were about equal to them). God died to the combined 4 original Satans when he was incredibly weakened from fighting elsewhere when normally they couldn't take him in a straight fight.
Indeed, Hades is very much seeing himself above everyone else. To show weakness to them would be unheard of for him. As for the Kiba fight, thank you so much! In the original novel, Gram chose him but it was never stated why beyond him being a good knight. This I felt expanded on that in a way to give Kiba a bit more depth to his history. And no doubt in regards to Katerea's child being mixed lineage between two old Satan families I see it as sort of their answer to Sirzechs combining them to create something new so he'd have incredible potential. I agree with your assessment of Issei, he's strong but has never once shown an aptitude or interest in ruling a nation. He's a great fighter, but a good leader that does not inherently make. Hearing you consider this the best fanfic is so appreciated :) I hope to never disappoint!
Dragonx411: So much happening at once ;) No need to worry about Kiba taking pointers from Issei, he was just pointing out that different people can have different motivations haha. A male Seekvaira...there is an interestingly terrifying thought XD It's always great seeing your synopsis and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years too! :D
MonkeyDGabry: You are most likely right, in the novels, Azazel said that a fully realized wielder could threaten the world. When he talked about it, he made it seem like some ancient event as there is no mentioned record of the annihilation maker being used recently. I chalked it up to a combination of lesser wielders mixed with perhaps some manifesting it that never actually realized they had it. Like if Issei had remained human he'd likely never have known he had the Boosted Gear.
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"Issei, Issei can you hear me?"
"Uh, not now," the Red Dragon Emperor rolled over reaching to rub his eyes. "It's too dark to be morning."
"It's because we're in the Gap," the voice he now realized was Dorian's. "It always looks like this."
"Wait…why does my hand feel weird?" Issei finally shot up looking down with a scream. Both of his hands, not just the one sacrificed to Ddraig to help against Riser, were now dark red covered in rough scales clearly those of a dragon with razor sharp claws.
"Y-your body was too badly deteriorated from Samael's poison," Ophis explained beside them. She looked sickly, unable to stand on her own power being helped by Dorian. "I-I had to patch and replace what parts I could."
"Replace my parts…with what?" Dorian motioned to the side, causing Issei to jump with a start once more.
The two were standing on the deck of a massive ship sailing through the Dimensional Gap. Despite the detrimental effects of that realm, they were all perfectly healthy and breathing just fine as the energies seemed to be held back by an invisible field.
"Welcome aboard the Nagalfr," Dorian smiled, trying to act more comfortable than he was. "Our helmsman is keeping us afloat and it seems to have a shield that the Gap can't penetrate." Far on the edge, he pointed out Iggy zipping back and forth trying to learn all she could as fast as possible. The vessel was so large that he couldn't see the furthest end from where he stood. What drew his attention more, however, was the gargantuan being floating alongside keeping pace. It was a dragon he'd seen before.
"Great Red?" He whispered, finding the strength to stand and walk to the edge so he was as close as possible. Getting a good look at himself, Issei noted that his shirt was open revealing patches of scales and he was certain it felt like some of his teeth were sharper. Seeing a reflective wall, he could tell his eyes looked more draconic with red scales scattered across his body. "These are yours?"
There was no answer, but he could feel the grand dragon looking at him. Without a care in the world, the red behemoth swooped over the ship doing a barrel roll at the same time sending tremors to buffet the side of the ship.
"He's done that a couple of times," Dorian remarked looking nervous knowing even a nudge could cause quite a lot of damage to the Nagalfr. "Like he's trying to show off."
"Maybe he's a delinquent, outdoing everyone around him he can. That, or he is showing off to someone specifically." Issei tried to joke but ended up coughing from the soreness in his chest. "How did you do this?"
"Great Red found us," Ophis explained. "He was drawn to dreams, yours for a harem and Dorian's for the future. With Dorian and Iggy's help, I found enough strength to finish the task now that we had a proper replacement for the damaged parts of your body. His flesh is quite hardy, enough to keep you alive while he purged the last of Samael. Now, that flesh is part of you."
"You mean I'm an actual dragon now!?" He started patting down the new patches of scales, taking in the hardened textures totally unlike flesh. "Well, parts of me."
"It will acclimate in time, for now it is like a bandage but as the days pass, it will be as much of you as your original flesh. Do not worry, the power of Great Red within will allow you to learn to adjust the appearance to look human if you wish. I…I can try…to…" With that word, she fell forward barely caught by Dorian.
"Ophis!?" Issei scrambled towards her. "What's wrong!? Where are your snakes?"
"All gone," she admitted as her voice grew weaker. "I am no longer infinite, confined to this body, it took…so much to draw out the poison so you would not die before Great Red arrived, we even kept it." She shakily held out a small bottle covered in containment seals courtesy of Dorian. "You…y-you may g-get a chance to use it." She could speak no more before slumping back.
"She is dying," Great Red's thoughts boomed in their head. "She has no energy left, even to live, stolen by the devil punk."
"Devil punk, Moloch?" Dorian handed her off to Issei before standing. "Then we need to get her more!"
"Only that of the infinite will work, she split herself but they were taken. Few escaped and those that did now lay dead bloated with Samael's blood."
"Wait, not all of them!" Issei pointed to Dorian. "When you arrived, one of Ophis' snakes jumped into that portal-thing of yours, they couldn't have gotten that one, right!?"
"The Roads?" Dorian's eyes widened. "But I can't open a path there from the Gap, we need to get out of here first!"
"This ship has the power to enter and leave the Dimensional Gap!" Iggy interjected as she continued reading a manual they'd had found in Loki's private cabin. "But I don't know how to activate that yet, if only we had a few days to go over everything!"
Great Red growled low, now looking directly at Dorian. From in front of his face, a portal started opening from sheer thought alone.
Of course! If he came into the Gap originally while Ophis was out, that would figure he can open portals of his own! Can he access the Roads too?
Sure enough, the portal turned from a rainbow hue to familiar azure, Dorian leaning inside unwilling to commit in case it closed suddenly. Looking both ways, he called as loud as he could.
"YGGDRASIL! DID A SNAKE COME THROUGH HERE IN THE LAST DAY!?" The avatar of the World Tree responded instantly to his pleas, cradling a small purple object in her hands barely visible.
"She was afraid," Iggy's mother stroked the serpent across its body tenderly. "The only one of her many parts to make it safely here. I have cared for her, but she will not last long in this realm, it is not her home and she is just a piece of the greater whole."
"Ophis is dying, that might be able to save her," Dorian reached towards Iggy's mother. Yggdrasil brought the serpent to her ear as if listening to the snake say something, though the Einherjar heard nothing.
"Either they both will live or they will perish," it was reassuring hearing her refer to the snake as a separate entity rather than a tool as the Old Satans had done. "Please, let her take some of me to give a better chance for the former to be true. It has been many years since they stayed beneath my boughs, but I will always offer them a place to rest and heal." Laying a hand on the serpent, a bright glow enveloped them as she handed it to Dorian who accepted the small snake carefully. "Your friends fear for your safety, things do not go well in your world."
"We'll be back soon, I promise." Dorian asserted as he turned with the serpent not wanting to waste another moment. He did not spot Yggdrasil look worriedly from Ophis over to Great Red, the pair sharing a glance and smile before the portal closed. "Ophis, here!" The infinite dragon did not move, remaining utterly still.
"No, no no no no, no one dies!" Issei grabbed the snake, holding it up to her looking the ancient dragon up and down trying to find where he could put it. "How does this work?"
"She can't just eat it…I think," Dorian was coming up empty while frantically trying healing seals all doing nothing for her condition. "What abou…?"
BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! TRANSFER!
Issei put his transfer ability to use, wrapping the snake around his Boosted Gear and holding it to Ophis' chest. With a burst of energy and blinding light, the ethereal serpent disappeared from his hand, the same aura now glowing around the unmoving dragon. Several seconds passed with no change.
"Come on, come on!" Issei shouted into her face that had twisted into one of sadness. On instinct, he started chest compressions, considering if she was mortal now as she said then her body needed to pick up the slack. "You wanted to know more about me, right!? If you die now, you won't learn anything! You wanted to be in the Gap, right? Well, here we are!"
No change, Dorian put a hand on his classmate's shoulder uncertain what to say.
"Mmh…you are too loud; this place should be quiet."
"Ophis!" The two men's faces widened into smiles as her dark eyes opened turning towards them. Issei cradled her in his arms, she felt so weak despite the unimaginable power that had once radiated from her when they met. "You're alive!"
"Barely, even a single burst of power would extinguish her," a familiar voice remarked as Kassaegtha appeared beside them. "You gave her a sliver of life and that is all she has now, how will they use all of that infinity they took? She's little more than a mascot now."
"She's alive, that's what matters you bitc…!" Issei started before Dorian got between them staring into those golden eyes that had stalked him for so long. He returned his attention to the weakened dragon. "Don't worry, you can stay at my house until you're strong enough to return home. I promise."
"We're getting out of here," Dorian interjected knowing full-well asking for anything of the Old Goddess was pointless. "If you want to watch, or whatever it is you do, that's fine, but don't try belittling anything we do."
"Quite the opposite, you've done so much different," she glanced around the ship they were standing upon. "A vessel of this power forgotten the first time around on a shelf somewhere. It feels like it was made with a bit of my people."
"You will leave," a voice boomed in their minds coming from the gargantuan Great Red focused on the Old Goddess. "I don't like the way you stare at us." Kassaegtha threw her arms up with an almost uninterested smirk as if there was no helping it.
"I have no reason to hide any longer, Dorian Held. Once you're done here, I look forward to seeing what the future will bring above the waves. You may wish to peek in on the Realm of the Dead, some of your friends miss you terribly there. Oh, and do have a nice room ready for me in the tower when it's fixed up." Heeding the words of the Dragon of Dragons, she disappeared once again.
The Realm of the Dead, Hades' domain? Why would you say that, have you given up on your non-interference or simply testing the waters since it's clear you can't wholly stay away?
"Great Red!" Dorian called up as loud as he could. "Can you help us establish a portal there?" The dragon bobbed its enormous head several times before weaving around in an overly dramatic fashion once more. "We need to get back as soon as we can!"
"You fear the nightmare too much man, you need to chill," Great Red's voice thundered again, Dorian starting to think Issei's assessment of the legendary being's personality may be on point with how casually he was speaking to him. "It won't be destroying the world today or tomorrow. One problem at a time. Even on a stormy day, the Oppai Dragon becomes happy by pressing breasts. The High King should find a way to be just as happy."
…did…did he just quote the Oppai Dragon theme song?!
"Wait, the nightmare…you know of the Trihexa!?" Dorian surmised it had seen the image in his mind. "How?" Great Red did not speak again.
"Ages past," Ophis coughed out weakly. "We crossed paths when we were only children, but where it is now, I do not know. I can barely even remember how we knew of it. So many memories I have not thought on in millennia, that was Yggdrasil you spoke to in the Roads, wasn't it?" Dorian nodded. "Then please, would you tell her…"
"Tell mumsy…" Great Red boomed. "…that it was nice hearing her voice again, even from afar. She had such warm arms when I was small."
"MUMSY!?" Issei and Dorian simultaneously blurted out. They barely knew what to make of the situation, the Einherjar recalling how Iggy's mother had spoken of caring for the pair in their youth, however briefly.
Does that make them sort of adoptive siblings with Iggy? Even with all he had seen and the darkness looming on his heart and future, that wholesome thought made Dorian smile.
"I can stabilize a path out of here," Great Red offered. "At least, once you figure out how that lame eyesore moves."
"Workig on id," Iggy spoke with what looked like a fancy screwdriver between her teeth. Her hands were busy flipping through the manual as she seemed to be getting more and more comfortable with the unfamiliar technology around her. Dorian couldn't help but be inspired by how enthusiastically she took to it even in their situation. Despoina was beside her pointing out what certain parts looked like, between the two they were close to learning the secrets of their new weapon.
"I don't recognize any of this," Despoina admitted. "The technology is…phenomenally more advanced than anything I've seen. Is it even from this world?"
"Maybe not!" Iggy sounded positively giddy. "Loki did include a passage of finding the basis for it in a meteorite from deep space…"
"We have some time before that can be done," Dorian turned to Issei with a nod. "Can you watch over her for now?"
"Of course!" Issei saluted. "But when we get back to the real world, Cao Cao is mine. I need to get that bastard back for what he did to everyone." The images of the wounded friends and depowered women brought a twitch of anger to his eyes. "Eventually, I'll get to punch that Moloch guy in the face too for this!" He looked himself over, still unable to believe how much he resembled a proper dragon-man now.
"I think there'll be fighting to go around, but fair enough except for Moloch. He's mine…I have questions for him." Dorian agreed before looking up to Great Red. "The ship can't move yet, but maybe you could give us a little push?" The smirk of confidence from the ultimate Dragon was all the answer they needed.
"Too easy. Now hold onto everything…ZOOM ZOOM NYAAAN!"
Realm of the Dead…
"My Lord, a fissure is opening above us!" Thanatos shouted from the frontlines embroiled with the Vali Team's revenge. "Our protection seals are doing nothing to stop it!"
Sure enough, above the collected gods and beings representing some of the strongest among the pantheons looked up to see a swirling vortex above. It was massive, almost covering the entirety of the ceiling with a cascade of colors and lights within that was recognized by those who had seen it, the vortexes of the Dimensional Gap.
"What is that thing?" Azazel asked, even Sirzechs looked uncertain having never seen its like before.
"The power needed to generate it is unfathomable, something enormous is coming through!"
True to the reaper's words, a shape emerged with its shadow covering the army having ceased their assault to look upwards. The atmosphere among friends and foes was at first terror turning to amazement and awe, it was only Lady Freyja whose look of confusion became one of absolute joy as she realized what had come moments before war and chaos would have overtaken them. It did not take long for the others to realize what she could see.
"Fashionably late," Bennia smirked with a loud smack of joy to Zepar's back. "I think that is becoming a pattern with him!"
The Nagalfr drifted through the fissure pushed by Great Red to settle above the battle between Team Vali and the army of reapers below. Everyone had stopped to stare at the vessel above with dozens of gunports opened and trained on them. The threat was clear, stop fighting or be fired upon.
Good thing they have no clue we don't know how the guns work beyond aiming. Dorian flew from the deck down below while Iggy continued working, realizing she could use her roots to explore the ship faster. Issei took to the air, landing atop the golem with Vali.
"Never expected to see you with a girl," he teased a little seeing him still resting on Hecuba's shoulders. "Was getting a little worried to be honest that fighting dudes is all you thought about."
"Issei?" He asked while taking note of his draconic features. "That skin…?"
"Great Red's, yea, long story." He looked at his clawed hands. "They said I can retake human form eventually, but there is so much power I can't do anything with it. Am I that bad looking?"
"There is nothing wrong with scars," Hecuba remarked while brushing hair from the wound on her head from the tower battle. "It shows the conviction of your battles."
"Though if overflowing power is the only issue, hold still. DIVIDE!"
Issei stepped back as the wave hit him, the immense energy he couldn't control lowering to manageable levels thanks to his rival's assistance. With a grunt of effort, a vein throbbing on his forehead, he finally managed to restrain the swirling dragon power. Slowly, the features receded from his hands, his appearance returning to that of a human though clearly took a toll to maintain. Occasionally, a draconic feature would reassert itself before fading.
"Thanks, though this doesn't change things between us," he raised his hand for a fist-bump that Vali hesitantly returned. "Don't want to scare the girls next I see them after all."
"And what of him?" Vali motioned below of Dorian lowering towards the team sent against Hades. "What does he hope to accomplish?"
"We heard about what's happening in Lilith," Issei explained. "Goldie wanted to try and get some help, don't ask me what he is thinking…I hope he knows what he's doing."
Below…
"Dorian!" Freyja was the first to reach the blonde man as soon as he touched down wrapping him in an awkward hug that pulled him right into her chest. "Let me look at you, thank the Norns."
"I'm okay mom," he insisted gently but not trying to escape from embarrassment as in the past. He barely even realized the words that escaped his lips and the look of shock on Freyja's face. Even so, Bennia's teasing smirk made his cheeks turn red.
Di…di he just call me that…so naturally? Freyja looked as if she were about to break into tears of joy but restrained herself in front of him and the collected alliance powers.
"Hi guys." He waved to his teammates among the attack force. "You look good, is everyone else okay?"
"It is great to find you whole and hale. And don't worry, we all escaped Dimension Lost before it collapsed." Zepar smiled proudly. "I see you acquired new…transportation?"
"You mean a frigging floating fortress!" Bennia was looking up at the sky wide-eyed scanning the ship from end to end. "You DO realize that Seekvaira is going to cream her skirt seeing that thing, right?"
"Bennia, manners," Zepar groaned exasperated.
"I saw the Valkyries on the news helping in Lilith, thank you," he whispered to Freyja.
"We honor our alliances, unlike some here we came to speak with," she looked to Hades who had been watching the exchange with a growing sneer.
"Dorian Held, what luck as we were just discussing your return to me and here you are. Are you prepared to enter Elysium with your traitor's echo?" High above, Despoina flipped him off at that remark.
"That hadn't crossed my mind," he stepped forward doing his best to hide the absolute terror coursing through his soul being so close to the Lord of the Dead. "I've been a little busy, I hear you had something to do with that."
"Yes, yes, yes, we've already been over that before you arrived. We were just about to…"
"I was thinking on your riddle," his words caused the skeletal deity to pause recalling the question posed back at Agreas' Stadium. "The light blinding to those close but a spec far-off, what could happen if more was added to it too quickly?"
"Oh, and what conclusion did your thoughts reach?" The room paused, Azazel contemplating the words as the sense of an impending battle had not abated. Several seconds passed before Dorian answered.
"That adding more to it too fast will make it more than a spec to those far off, potentially drawing in unwanted attention."
He hates others, dragons especially, the thought process ran through the Einherjar's head. Mr. Azazel said he despises beings that grow too strong too fast, considers them useless except for himself and those he commands. Is he thinking that they will draw in enemies stronger than they can handle; like the Trihexa waiting in the future or maybe something we haven't seen yet? Before he could ponder deeper, he was unnerved by the sudden growing laughter of Hades echoing through what remained of his shrine.
"Do you actually understand, even as little as that brain can comprehend?" He could barely talk between the booming laughter. "A whelp who doesn't even have twenty-years behind him having a glimpse of what I see? That trip of yours to the future must have been enlightening indeed. Do not act so surprised that I know, I have many agents to find such information, however the details elude even them. I can only imagine the information you glimpsed, once you are back in Elysium, we may have many long discussions."
"You have no idea what I saw," Dorian held his ground. "Old gods, cybernetic insects from far off, the literal Apocalypse monster itself, there is so much out there. If you don't make any more trouble and tell your people to stand down, I'll even share with you all I saw when I write my report."
He's bargaining with Hades? Azazel chuckled internally. Just how many sizes did his balls grow to try that with someone who could blink and annihilate him?
"Knowledge of what may be to come? Do you think to know my thoughts, boy?"
"I know you hate others, dragons and those you don't command most of all," he started talking faster partially out of nervous habit and to show he was not bluffing. "So much to the extent you worked with the Brigade to undermine everyone, I don't know why that is, maybe you'll tell us someday. But if you are considering those growing so strong like myself, Issei, Vali or Sirzechs being a danger in the future," he motioned to the Satan still standing nearby in his true form waiting to see how the scene played out. "Then that must mean you are at least interested in what I have seen. If you drag me back to Elysium, where you cannot harm me by your own laws, then I won't be very receptive to discussions…what do you say?"
The standoff lasted another few moments as those gathered glanced between the young Einherjar and the lord of the dead. The size and power difference between them was indisputable yet Dorian did not budge, adding to the tension. Finally, the aura of death dissipated from Hades, his bony hands clacking together as they slowly clapped.
"Well played, between this and your deal with Midgardsormr it appears you are quite apt at negotiations, though understand this only delays your return to Elysium. I am a patient man. Very well, I swear upon my name, family and post that I shall not make any further moves considered to the detriment of the alliance through the duration of this crisis. In return, you will share any information provided to your superiors or underlings on what was witnessed in this glimpse of what will be. While I will not drag you to Elysium today, know that one day you WILL return there. It would seem our match must be put on hold." He turned to the current Lucifer who had remained watching the exchange.
"Indeed," Sirzechs relaxed but remained in his form holding up a finger threateningly. "But we shall approach this topic another day and be warned that your actions against my sister, her future husband and team will not be forgotten. On that day we do fight, I will not hold back and erase you for a new Lord of the Dead to take your place."
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Azazel glared, all the pain caused by the help from Hades' mysterious machinations on Issei and his friends. "They are my students too after all. Replacing you down here would be a pain in the ass, but if you try anything else I'll be more than happy to deal with that headache personally!" Despite the forces desiring his downfall, Hades' demeanor and disposition remained unchanged.
What the Hells happened to make you think this way? Before the Great War, I recall you being far more…relaxed.
"We still cannot risk going to Lilith," Sirzechs informed Dorian. "As long as Cao Cao is around, he will seek out any leaders that take the field to slay with his True Longinus. "We will send what forces we can now that our business is concluded here."
"So, this is the one I've been told so much about," Indra approached, leaning forward to look Dorian over, his sunglasses hiding his eyes. "I was expecting you to be taller, to think a small fry would vex my abilities so much.."
"Lord Indra," Dorian turned towards him, Freyja behind the god's back mouthing his name since the young man had not met him yet. "Does your being here mean that your mythology is joining the alliance officially?"
"The benefits would appear to outweigh the negatives, but don't get too far ahead of yourself, kid," his smile became less pronounced as he spoke, clearly not getting the readings he was hoping for. "I wanted to get a first impression of you, your little club is getting more spotlight than I expected when you started. What did you see? Just because you are immune to time, if you…"
Indra glanced over his shoulder as a hand fell upon it, the smiling face of Lady Freyja greeting him. Despite her appearance, an ominous aura of dread emanated from her every being sensing an oncoming threat to Dorian. She was well-aware of the Hindu god's disdain for the young man, even the spy who had been watching Dorian in Vanaheim, and like any good parent would not stand for it. All established strengths would put Indra above her, yet in that moment it was she who was the more menacing by far.
"Heh," the god suddenly backed off with a chuckle. "You have big friends, plus standing up to Hades is a feat all its own even if you are little more than a gnat against him. If you're ever interested in visiting Svargaloka, I imagine a talk would be more interesting than most. Was I in this future you witnessed?"
"That…is not something I would discuss here," Dorian's tone was low to avoid drawing attention, the Hindu god's composure cracking ever so slightly with a barely noticed twitch of the eye.
"Well then, what will you do next in this giant undertaking of yours?"
"Giant…" Dorian muttered before shaking his head. "I am getting everyone from the Crossroads back together," he pointed over to Bennia and Zepar who looked like they were positively beaming with pride. "However, there is one other place I want to stop off at first."
Musphelheim…
"Such chaos in the land of devils," Surtr, the lord of the Fire Giants, remarked as he read reports on the situation in Lilith. "I am guessing no word from the other Nine Realms?"
"No requests of aid have come, as usual," his guardsman, a giant in full blazing armor, informed. "Though Valkyrie and Einherjar forces have moved out as well as those from the other realms."
Like we aren't even part of the Nine Realms, he sighed. Their realm being ignored was par for the course. They hadn't even been requested when Odin rode to Olympus. In days past, they had rallied without being summoned, only to be denied combat or arrive too late. As such, he continued working as if the day was no different than any other despite the situation in the Underworld. As it turned out, however, it was far from normal.
"Lord Surtr," the voice of Dorian Held made even the mountainous giant look up as a portal to the Roads shimmered to life before him. "Pardon my intrusion," his words did not placate the guard who lunged immediately.
"HALT!"
The axe stopped a moment before it would have collided with the Einherjar. However, rather than this being attributed to the giant's self-control at his king's command, Dorian had seized the handle, severing the axe head with a clench of his fist to bury it in the wall across the room. Further violence was stopped by the ruler's next words.
"Stand down, I will order when action is needed. Tyr Odinson, I do believe our agreements were QUITE clear that you cannot use your Road travels to enter our realm as you please. ESPECIALLY into secure areas like my fortress."
"And I will submit for any punishment you deem fair once the attack on the Underworld is resolved," he fell into the demeanor he'd grown accustomed to since working to be a more proactive leader of the Crossroads. "I have come requesting your help."
"Our help?" He leaned back, his flaming beard bursting anew. Dorian did not move even as the natural heat buffeted his face curling his hair and leaving him sweat-covered. "It seems our help is not desired nor needed."
"The other realms keep their distance because of that vague prophecy of Ragnarök?" Dorian leaned forward with an intense gaze. "I am new to this world and can't imagine how your people have been treated as a result of that for so long, but I BEG of you not to let it continue." Surtr took greater interest, eyeing him intensely. "Things can change."
"The words of the young, they ring well but often lose out to the echoes of tradition. It seems more likely that my people's lives are more expendable against these monsters rampaging in the Underworld than the rest and you are trying to convince me to send them to die for nothing. Why should I believe otherwise?"
"Because I saw you die once already!" Dorian blurted out the absolute truth, the frustration at seeing that future occur again burning in his mind. "And I'd prefer to NOT see you fall into such despair a second time."
Even a decade ago, you wouldn't have considered betraying the world, isn't that what your future self said? If that is true, I have a chance to catch it over ten years early. If I wasn't meant to be here and Iggy changed the course of time, then so can I!
"Have you gone mad or was that a threat?" Surtr bristled with heat. "No, twas no threat for I see only concern and fear behind your face. Even if we come to your aid, as you request…what could you possibly offer that would show the Nine Realms are willing to accept us?"
Surtr looked down realizing that Dorian had reached a hand out towards for a handshake, his other holding a chest filled with several Tafl pieces. The deity knew them well, having played the game in the far-off days of his youth. It was clearly the pieces from the system made to bring their populations back up to a reasonable level in an age where the world passed them by. None had been offered to his kind, yet now the strange Einherjar barely more than half a year since finding out about their worlds was presenting one to him freely with no sign of deceit or trickery.
"Because the Crossroads will be all Lady Freyja desired and more, I won't fail her now. That means embracing EVERY member of our alliance, your people are no exception. Whether you are meant to bring about the end of the world or not doesn't matter today. I won't ask for an answer if you wish for one of your people to join the Crossroads now as this is a big choice, but I tell you that you need only say the word and the Fire Giants will be welcomed with open arms just as I told you before. Of this I swear. What do you say?"
Surtr stood up from his seat looming several heads taller than Dorian, the pupils of his eyes starting to glow brighter and brighter like reigniting embers. After a moment, he reached out and grasped the second-year student's hand in a stern but welcomed grip that steamed upon contact. Dorian did not flinch.
"We have an Accord, Tyr Odinson, though I much prefer the ring of Dorian Held personally. We have many standing forces ready at a moment's notice, but it will take time to reach the Underworld. It is quite far."
"Leave that part to me."
Lilith…
"With the Fire Jotun's army aboard, I stopped by Heaven to pick up Irina before Iggy figured out the engines," Dorian wrapped up his story to those who had not been present within any. "That one was a short trip."
"I am so glad you were alright," the chestnut-haired woman floated a bit off the ground with joy. "We didn't know where you'd gone, for you to show up while I was getting to work the Heaven system itself was two miracles in a single day!" Dorian couldn't help but smile at her unassailable optimism, his bones still aching a bit from her tackle. When his head had popped out within the Heaven system chamber looking for her, he'd barely gotten a word in before she'd flown from Michael's side colliding with him and knocking him back into the Roads.
"We can help against the Jabberwocky," Rossweisse insisted, but Dorian shook his head.
"That thing has been taking a beating from the collected Underworld defense forces for days, as much as I know how incredible you all are, even combined you can't match that firepower. I hope this ship can make a dent, the rest of you do what the Crossroads are meant to, protect those within the alliance."
"No one shall come to harm!" Rossweisse promised with the others nodding in agreement. "With Issei facing Cao Cao, that leaves only Georg as one of their leadership left standing."
"I want to say so much," Dorian finally announced to the team. "But Leonardo is still out there too creating this army. We need to find him and end this, Issei demanded he take Cao Cao, and after what we've been through, I know he won't let us down."
"This part of the city is basically empty," Seekvaira insisted while pushing up her glasses. "We won't need to worry about civilians."
"Then Hecuba, I want you to coordinate against the anti-monster armies. Brynda, Misty, Herja, you three support the allied teams with Zepar and Aika. Xenovia, Irina, your weapons will be best against any remaining traitorous devils. Thrud, those Bandersnatch need to be obliterated in one hit before they heal, you'll be perfect alongside the alliance teams coordinating against them. Rossweisse, Seekvaira, support them and keep an eye for any stragglers who didn't get out of the city in time. Bennia, watch Millicas and do what you can." He tried keeping the orders short and to the point; everyone knew how to use their powers to the fullest so it was all about making sure who went where to maximize their talents.
"And what'll we be doing boss?" Ratatoskr climbed back on Dorian's shoulder feeling like it'd been ages since he'd done so. In a flash, he had a stereotypical pirate attire on complete with hat to match Iggy's."
"Iggy and I will pursue the Jabberwocky. This ship has plenty of fight in it, maybe we can find a way to bring it down. We ALL come back here when we win." He put his hand forward towards the rest.
One by one, every member of the Crossroad team did the same overlapping hands atop one another with Rat climbing out to the edge of Dorian's arm so he could do the same. They had fought against many foes, but seeing everyone together warmed his heart, like they could take even the world.
"Alright then!" Ratatoskr called out as everyone was finally together. "Let's go break some Hero Dragon face and save Hell! Not something I ever thought I'd get a chance to say…but always hoped."
On the Battlefield Below…
"Throwing away your humanity further?" Cao Cao groaned against Issei as the two fell still locked in struggle since the Red Dragon had plummeted from the Nagalfr above. "You positively reek of dragon now."
"That was all because of your own ally, you bastard!" Issei managed to nail a punch to Cao Cao's gut as the True Longinus was locked with his gauntlet, the armor thickened to hold off the burning blade. He was faster than the Hero Faction leader had expected but he was able to adapt to the increasing flurry of attacks.
"So, you surpassed your previous limits so quickly. That growth of those among the Gremory Peerage is terrifying. First Heracles falls, then Jeanne and I do not believe Siegfried may last…Georg and Leonardo are the last I can trust. I am surprised they sent you to fight me after last time, that Einherjar or Vali would have been a better match."
"I picked this fight!" Issei's anger was peaking, noticing just how little Cao Cao cared for his comrades, instead evaluating them and his enemies. Even as they fought, he could tell his opponent was doing the same to him, looking at him with a mix of interest in his power and disgust at how abnormal his growth had been since Rias reincarnated him.
"Just where did Moloch send you two? I had expected him to kill you both, unless he wasn't up to the task."
"Not for lack of trying, your friend nearly killed me. He would have succeeded too if it weren't for Great Red, Ophis and that cute spirit friend of Dorian's. They made me stronger and I intend to use this new strength to finish you off!"
I wish I'd had a chance to talk to Great Red more, he's tied to us, isn't he?
He has always been like…well what you would call a senpai, Ddraig explained while still trying to make sense of and control the power they had with Great Red's blood coursing through their veins. Perhaps someday we'll get our chance to ask just how closely this new connection goes, Ophis seemed to sense it to an extent.
"Just what could he have used to ravage your body to such a degree?" Cao Cao and Issei continued their back-and-forth matching blow for blow; Issei tanking his strikes, Cao Cao avoiding his best attacks in a frustrating exchange. "You now bear aspects of the strongest being our world has ever known, my future target. That is more luck than any being should possess."
"Who ISN'T after him?" Issei groaned, recalling Vali's own path to face Great Red one day. "Hecuba always talked about heroes doing good things, Hell I grew up on cartoons about them. Why don't you guys just try being like them?"
"Like what you're doing as the Oppai Dragon? I've seen the children calling your name, even as Leonardo's army moved in and we started assassinating the defense leaders. They truly believe that the Oppai Dragon and High King will save them all. After today, however…" Cao Cao teleported behind Issei too fast even for his new speed and angled the True Longinus towards his back where the armor was thin. "…their pleas will fall on deaf…"
A plume of black energy consumed his arm, forcing Cao Cao to leap back releasing a nova of light to evaporate the substance he knew all too well. A devil of pure darkness drifted down with shimmering crimson hair that Issei had grown to love. At the same time, his injuries started to disappear, the green glow of Twilight Healing lifting his burdens.
"Rias! Asia!" He gasped while getting to his feet. "I…" He didn't hesitate leaning forward and gripping her, even in her True Form she was beautiful beyond words. Their lips overlapped, Asia clinging to his side who he turned and shared one with her as well. "I didn't know if I could make it back, but now I'm here. I won't leave your side ever again."
"Then don't," she said in a commanding tone. "I knew you couldn't be dead; I just knew it. Live on with us always."
"We aren't done," Cao Cao rushed forward only to clash with the arrival of Rias' second Knight. Catherine deflected the blow and bounded backwards before he could summon his orbs.
"I…want to live on with you as well," the pink-haired woman's confidence when in battle gave her the fortitude to say what had been on her mind. "You are a confusing individual Issei, but you have such selflessness in you." Taking the initiative, she walked up to him, planting a kiss on his lips even amid her teammates.
"Cat?" Issei asked as she pulled away, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs as he saw Asia and Rias smile with a nod. "Yes! If you look at me that way too, how can I say no?!"
"I'm here too!" Ravel floated down with Honda running interference. With a flick, she kissed a pair of vials and tossed them to the team, allowing Rias to relieve her injuries with one leftover. "My family can't spare them very much with the battles around the world…but I can always shed mine for you, Issei, don't you dare waste them!"
"You're all here," he smiled knowing Kiba, Akeno and Koneko were nearby but still fighting for their lives. "But he can still take away your powers. Please, let me drop the bastard, he deserves it for all he's done and I don't want you all hurt or left open for his buddies. Help out everyone else, I'll be fine knowing you're all here."
"Of course, you will," Rias backed up, straightening her skit as she raised her voice. "Because I have commanded it as your King, master, President and future wife…you will NOT die to him!"
"Damn straight!" He turned to Cao Cao raising the Boosted Gear high as his Balance Breaker armor fell away.
"Just what are you becoming?" Cao Cao asked while using the last of his healing salves on the wound Rias had left him. "Your change in chant, your new outlook…you aren't a Heavenly Dragon anymore, yet aren't a True Dragon or God yet. What do you consider yourself?"
"Well, the kids call me the Oppai Dragon. If that's the only title I could choose, it wouldn't be so bad." Cao Cao just stared at him, a slight twitch forming in his eye. "Here we go, let's see what these new improvements from Great Red can do! Ddraig?"
Ready partner, go for it! Your past lives are gone, the chant is just us. Make it count!
"I, the one to awaken and the Red Dragon Emperor who holds up the truth of the kings!
Holding the infinite and indestructible dream walking the road of righteousness. I will become the Emperor of the Crimson Dragon!
"But I'm not alone! I have my comrades who look over my fights with warm eyes! And I will lead you to the path of Heaven glowing in deep True Crimson Light!"
CARDINAL CRIMSON FULL DRIVE!
The armor transformed into that which had nearly bested Sairaorg Bael promoting to the true queen and crimson color that bewildered Ophis so. The flesh and blood of Great Red running through his body strengthened him greater than before, stabilizing the form and power. Seeing the true threat before him, seven orbs surrounded Cao Cao, the True Longinus angled towards him menacingly prepared for their final confrontation. Even as the two prepared all they had, Rias turned to glance back while the women who looked upon Issei with affection retreated to a safe distance.
The prayers of all those children are coming true. The High King battles the Jabberwocky in the skies as the Oppai Dragon faces the mastermind behind the attack. Oh, what wonders will the next generation be capable of with such people to believe in?
Across the City…
Beams of energy pummeled one of the thirteen Bandersnatch towering over the smaller monsters rampaging through the city. High above out of their reach, Seekvaira was using her augmented wings to the fullest unleashing the full arsenal she had built into it. Bennia floated above a nearby rooftop slashing again and again to release dark waves at each of the creatures while shielding Millicas standing proudly above to be seen by the defense troops.
"Shit, these things don't have a normal life expectancy," she sighed to catch her breath. "With how many slashes I've delivered, their life energy should have been cut by centuries!"
"This is the perimeter we are set to hold," Seekvaira insisted, risking flying low so that the enormous Bandersnatch saw her as a threat and gave chase rather than continuing into the city. "If we can find a way to surround…" A catastrophic blast of demonic energy slammed into the side of the monster knocking it into a wall. The aftershock sent Seekvaira flying though she was able to right herself in midair. She looked towards the source of the attack, recognizing the essence of the power that had wounded the creature so easily.
That's Agares energy! Father, did you take to the field? She had no idea how wrong she was.
An older woman wearing a regal gown of the highest quality drifted down on a pair of impressive devil wings denoting her age and power. While the damage from her assault was already healing, she hit the monster again to knock it down as it tried to attack once more.
"Cease your roars, despicable monstrosity. I have never met my granddaughter and wish to do so in PEACE!"
"Gran…" Seekvaira's eyes watered behind her glasses seeing the woman whose bedside she'd been by for years since she could walk. Only then did she realize she never knew that her eyes matched those of her grandmother. Forgetting the battle and any propriety from the dozens of defense troops around battling the hordes, she flew upwards into her waiting arms, burying her face into her chest. "Grandmother! Y-you're awake?"
"Just for a few hours dear," she cradled Seekvaira's head tenderly as she returned the embrace. "Were it not for this deplorable event, we would have been together already. Let me look at you, ah, so much of your father. I know your voice, but never saw you with my own eyes. That is a true sin to have waited so long to see my son's child, at least now that has been rectified. I believe you said once it was thanks to this…Dorian Held you speak so highly of?"
"I…I sai-sa…" Seekvaira's lips locked as the connotation hit her full force that her grandmother had heard and remembered every word she'd spoken while afflicted by the Sleep Disease. "You heard that?"
"Years and years of hearing, I would be a failure of a grandmother if I couldn't remember the things you told me down to the last syllable. I am so proud of all that you've accomplished and look forward to you introducing me to this Einherjar."
Just as Seekvaira felt her face was going to explode, the Bandersnatch was back up roaring before unleashing a torrent of dark fire upon the Agares pair. Each raised a hand, the two women combining their powers to create a bubble that split the attack harmlessly around them. Looking stern, something that seemed to be a family trait, they prepared to counterattack. After a moment, it became apparent that was unnecessary.
"I did not come alone, the appearance of that ship in the sky emboldened other powers to arrive despite risks of the Hero Faction." Lady Agares announced proudly as the anti-monster behemoth suddenly burst into flames from head to toe.
"Do help the others," the nine-tailed woman responsible for the conflagration commanded to those around her following behind where Lady Agares had appeared. "I can't be outside Kyoto for very long so we must make it quick and have time to find that fetching fallen angel."
"YES LADY YASAKA!" The army of youkai leapt forward combining their attacks with the other defenders. The fox fire leveled at the creature consumed its flesh faster than the regenerative properties could keep up with. Under normal circumstances it may have been able to put itself out, but under assault from so many kept it from doing so, allowing the flames to consume it. After a matter of minutes, it collapsed, one of the thirteen worst monsters short of the Jabberwocky finally slain.
She is capable of that!? Just how strong is Yasaka!?
"So, the children of the Underworld head to battle as well?" She leaned forward a bit too far towards Millicas analyzing him up and down. "And the son of a Satan no less, your parents must be very proud at such bravery."
"Well, I-I, um…"
"And you must be his sweetheart?" She looked up towards Bennia floating defensively above. "Protecting each other so diligently?"
"I'd like to think I'm more of his wingman," she smirked back, Millicas continuing to stammer incoherent words as the reaper winked at him.
"Mother, please stop teasing him," Kunou stepped out from behind a small force of bodyguards led by Kari already in her true spider form. "It's obvious he isn't a fighter, just a kid."
"But, aren't you a kid too?" Millicas asked, shirking back as the flames leapt from her eyes glaring him down. "M-my name is Millicas Gremory," he quickly straightened and bowed.
"Kunou," she answered flatly with her arms crossed. "This is my mother, Yasaka from…"
"Lady Yasaka, of course," the boy fell into his formal education when speaking with world leaders similar to his father. "It is an honor to meet you, are you here to help fight? We are in your debt if so."
"The son of a Satan out in the open? That won't do," Yasaka tutted as she looked up in thought. "He'll need a protector of our own, Kunou, do you think you are up to the task?"
"Me?" Her daughter looked upward confused. Bennia stood back feeling it best not to point out she was already watching over him.
"Can you think of anyone more reliable for the job? Just imagine how grateful Sirzechs will be that my little girl watched over his own young one? If you're not up to it, Kari can…"
"O-of course I can!" She stomped to Millicas' side, taking his hand while glaring daggers at Yasaka coming across more of a pout without intending to. "He won't get a scratch, right!?"
"Y-yes!" Millicas nodded in response to her eyes locked on his. "And I can protect you at the same time, it's only right."
"You protect me?" Kunou turned to start lecturing the poor boy as her mother went to face the incoming monsters seeking the next Bandersnatch. She could not help but smile incorrigibly knowing her daughter so well.
"It seems Dorian has the Jabberwocky well in hand, so we'll stick to the land-based ones. Where is the next?" Up above, Bennia floated unable to stop smiling at Millicas who looked up to his friend half begging for help.
Sorry buddy, she thought to herself while waving playfully to them both as Kari perched on the roof beside her. You're going to have to learn to deal with ladies at some point, helps to start young. I just hope she doesn't eat you alive before the monsters have a chance to.
Amidst the chaos below, another who had appeared with Lady Agares' reinforcements walked through the rubble as if in a trance. A woman with purple hair and orange eyes looked far into the distance as if sensing something. She was so out of it, that it was noticed by another from the Crossroads who had come to coordinate distribution of the new reinforcements.
"Are you alright?" Hecuba asked, worried she may have been wounded. "What are you looking at?"
"Something," she murmured to herself. "The Red Dragon Emperor is in trouble, I think…I think he needs me but cannot say why."
In the Skies over Lilith…
Cannons boomed dwarfing the sounds of engines as the Nagalfr pursued its prey. Salvo after salvo rained down upon the enormous beast known as the Jabberwocky that had rediscovered its courage and now openly challenged the grand battleship. Roaring in anger at the pain brought upon it again and again, the creature opened its maws to unleash torrents of dark fire. Before impacting the vessel, the catastrophic attack was halted as an energy bubble revealed its presence. A shield invisible, save for when in use, protected it, started to crackle after protracted hits. They were safe, but it would not last forever.
"Dorian, that fire is devastating, if it gets past the ship…"
"It'll kill anyone behind us, I know. Evading is NOT an option," Iggy smiled that he thought the same as her. A second hit impacted their shield absorbing the brunt of the attack, not a spark got past them.
"We're in ramming range!" Ratatoskr in his oversized captains hat yelled out. "We can push the fucker away from the city center!"
"ROGER!" Iggy turned the wheel hard sending the Nagalfr into the Jabberwocky, the shield materializing again to push the monster along. It lashed out with claws and teeth, each attempt repelled by the barrier surrounding the ship. "Full speed!"
The engines roared as they overpowered the wings pressing against them driving the monster into the nearby building that was thankfully empty. Dorian leapt to the prow of the ship, blasting it in the face with flames of Musphelheim that clung to its scales and pained it terribly. It gladdened him to see the defense teams still assisting, entire divisions firing upon it adding their power to his.
"It continues to heal," Despoina grimaced while appearing beside him. "Even the flames of Musphelheim slop off the skin that falls away dead leaving the whole alive. Only a single devastating blow will kill it."
"Then we need to take it somewhere with as little collateral damage as possible. Iggy, do you know anywhere?"
"I do not, but the Lilith Grand Stadium should be empty and far from most of the buildings!" She recalled the many maps she'd poured over during their stay in the Underworld not long ago. "It was not mentioned as an evacuation site, so without any sporting events it should be deserted."
"Set a course! What I'd do for something that could tether it to us even for a moment."
"There is one thing," Despoina raised a finger. "Anger." Dorian got her meaning loud and clear.
"Iggy, all guns point blank FIRE!" The cannons halted for a moment to synchronize before unloading all their current munitions into the Jabberwocky's face. Its features were blown to pieces, the pain clear from the roaring that somehow persisted until its regeneration brought it back to full strength. They had accomplished their goal, however, as it flew after them racing away at full speed ignoring all else.
It's focused on us, nothing like pissing off an artificial monster that can threaten the entire Underworld. Why is my blood pumping so fast? Vidar and Thrud would be proud.
A new blast of energy from its mouth impacted the bubble surrounding them to equally no effect. Dorian smiled at the sheer power of the vessel he was now in command of, that same attack could have incinerated an entire garrison of devils if they were caught in it.
"If that didn't kill it, I think we can forego thinking of targeting vital organs," Dorian called out over the rushing winds. "Pretty sure we vaporized its brain with that one."
"Leonardo's will must be what keeps them going," Despoina explained. "Like how you can reform your powers, roots and armor when damaged via Iggy, so too can he do the same for his monsters. The others are small enough, even the Bandersnatch, that enough firepower can disintegrate them to nothing, but for something that large…"
"We'll think of something," Dorian tried to stay optimistic at the downturned expression. "Once we are in a place we can fight while cutting loose, we'll kill it. Between the resources of this ship and all of the Underworld backing us up, we HAVE to find a way to bring that thing down! If we don't, what supernatural home could stand a chance with Leonardo only getting stronger?"
On the City Outskirts…
"RAAAAH!" The bellowing roar of Sairaorg Bael pierced the air as his fist connected with a Bandersnatch. The towering monster was stopped in its tracks, the glittering golden armor of his Balance Breaker forcing it to squint its eyes. "You shall proceed no further!"
With a piercing cry, the monster opened its maw to unleash a pillar of flames. The attack did not reach its target as the Bael Peerage's Queen raised her hands, a hole appearing between them to swallow the power. The others of his servants battled the army of smaller beasts around them having succeeded in stopping the greater bulk of the invading monsters before they could reach the inner city. They had a force of their own with Furcas creating legions of copies of himself, even a second supporting force of armors resembling Tsubaki and Xenovia. Despite Kiba's exhausted state, he could still summon more to help in the defense.
"Cao Cao is being fought by Issei further in," Coriana called out as she supported those of her team. "The only upper-level leader of the Hero Faction confirmed still in the field is the magician Georg. There is no sign of Leonardo."
"They're no doubt hiding or protecting him," Sairaorg supposed as he head-butted the creature again. Despite being unable to land a killing blow, it was clearly unable to also make any headway against him. "Who are engaging the mage?"
"Lady Gremory's team broke off from the frontlines to confront him along with Valkyries of the Crossroads. There are other remnants of defense teams assisting, but he is quite powerful and hard to pin down."
"We should have someone assist, we shall not win simply by throwing our strength here alone, Hikari…" He didn't need to say a word as hails of metal feathers pin cushioned a small swathe of lesser anti-monsters, his Pawn soaring above on hawk-like wings laying down fire wherever she could. "Hikari! Seek out the Gremory Peerage and assist against that Georg. Take Ladora with you and clear the skies!"
"You are the best!" Hikari called out as she pulled up alongside a giant dragon in the process of bathing the streets with fire. "Come on big guy, let's go find that cute nekoshou and give them a hand!"
Not Far…
"Damnit!" Rias cursed as an unleashed blast of destruction failed to pierce the purple fog protecting Georg in the distance. "Dimension Lost's mists are powerful, almost an absolute defense against direct attacks. Who knew he could use them this way without creating new dimensions."
Sure enough, all of the combined barrages of devil, angel, Einherjar, and even Musphelheim support could not break through the power of his Sacred Gear. In addition, it did nothing to slow his own attacks assailing them along with the waves of monsters pouring out from behind. Based on their sheer numbers, they surmised that Leonardo had to be close. His absence had been noticed, leading the Gremory heiress to presume that he couldn't defend himself while making so many creatures and thus had to be hidden. Above, a familiar trio of Valkyries sought out weaknesses to exploit.
"He creates an opening each time he fires," Misty analyzes. "But the window is less than half a second long and is constantly shifting, never in the same place."
"And that mist is the same that creates those dimensions of his," Brynda recalled as Herja protected them. "If we could not destroy those outright, I do not see how we can do the same here."
"I-I can try!" An uncertain voice called out from above. Looking up, they saw Honda leaping from a rooftop carrying Gasper on its back. Arriving with the Grigori reinforcements, the young vampire wanted to help having been absent at the tower. "How about this?"
His eyes glowed bright, time stopping utterly before them, even Dimension Lost's mists ceased moving. Their hope was short-lived as bombardment magic that could have surpassed Rossweisse's erupted from around the frozen mists.
"Look out!" A blast struck Misty clean in the chest at near point-blank range as she'd moved in towards the perceived opening, breaking all her barriers trying to protect them and sending her sailing to the ground. Herja barely caught her in time as another volley started. Rias managed to drive the attack back with a wave of darkness, though the damage had been done. Herja was barely moving, Misty not at all. Despite having been struck by a blast of Nordic magic, Koneko stood with Honda trying to protect them. The cascade continued for several seconds devastating the area before finally stopping, most likely Georg simply needing to take a breather before continuing.
"No!" Gasper staggered forward gripping a bleeding arm. Koneko nodded back to him that she was okay, however she was one of the few.
"Misty?" Herja and Brynda were inconsolable, their childhood friend utterly unresponsive. The two had escaped the same fate only thanks to protection from an unexpected source. Bikou stood over them, his staff parrying as much as it could, team Vali not holding back in the defense of the Underworld.
"Is she…?" Bikou asked, the women wouldn't answer, still stressing healing wards that wouldn't work. With a growl of annoyance, the monkey youkai turned on Georg's makeshift fortress of mist. "Man, I get enjoying a good fight, but I was never any good around crying women. I'll have to just beat you senseless instead!"
"Not even you can touch me in here," the echoing voice of Georg emerged from the swirling funnel that continued to spit out magic at any defenders that tried to fight him. "Dimension Lost's realms can't help here, but the mists are just as indomitable as ever. No power possessed among you can break this."
Akeno could not maintain her composure seeing her friends struck down. Yet even at the peak of her rage, her holy lightning was blocked just as surely as the others. They had obtained such power to skim the borders of Ultimate-Class now, yet the defensive potential of Dimension Lost mixed with Georg's prodigal talents with magic could hold them all off. With the growing number of monsters, they would not be able to hold their position long. Already, all save for Rias' group, Bikou and the Valkyries had started to withdraw. Gasper would not, however, as he walked slowly closer with tears in his eyes.
"I couldn't get stronger with the Grigori fast enough," his voice and body shook with each word no longer able to look at Misty's body. "But…but I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
"Gasper?" Rias asked, a chill running down her spine even in her form of pure destruction as his voice seemed to deepen and twist, each word sounding like a curse. She'd long knew that outside of Issei, Gasper had the greatest inborn potential, and his growth over the last weeks had been great, but now seemed to have taken off based on the power she now felt from him.
This, this was the sensation I got when I first met Gasper. That sense of dread that was neither his Sacred Gear nor his vampire status that sent me to sealing him away. What is happening?
"Ms. Rias, Koneko, Misty, everyone!" Gasper called out as a field of darkness surrounded him causing all except those he sought to protect to disappear into shadows. "If we retreat, the monsters will hurt more people…"
"What are you doing?" Georg asked with an unease to his voice realizing how Gasper almost seemed to be making a realm of his own. "What are you!?"
Gasper did not answer, the darkness consuming his body in a way that put his display during the Rating Game to shame. Red eyes covered his body from head to toe, all staring directly at the lone mage. Not even his army could help him as all anti-monsters, including a Bandersnatch, that entered his field were consumed by the shadows.
"What did you turn into your servant?" Herja asked with eyes widened.
"I don't know," Rias admitted, having known the power of Gasper from the onset, but never truly understood its source. What they were witnessing had nothing to do with his Gear but was from him directly. "Perhaps this is why the vampires feared him so much, so much it drove him to seek ways to seem less threatening," she muttered half to herself understanding his preference for women's clothes.
'Hmmph, I won't be needed at this rate," Bikou looked disappointed seeing the battle already decided. Backing up, he knelt beside the Valkyries checking on Misty once more, shaking his head confirming what they already knew.
The shadows pounded on the purple mists devouring every magical attack to emerge, Georg's fear started to abate as he saw that even this new form was not so insurmountable and his courage came back.
"Ha, I don't know what you are but it seems even Dimension Lost can stand. My magic is devoured by whatever you have become, but so long as these mists…!"
George staggered forward, gripping his side bleeding with shard of metal resembling a feather protruding from the wound. It was only then he realized there was a thin layer of grey smoke surrounding him…grey smoke, not purple mist. Reflexively, he unleashed a point-blank burst of magic that dispersed his protection and blasted the smoke away, the foreign substance coalescing into a woman thrown clear. Koneko jumped first, catching her before she struck the rubble.
"Hikari?!" She gasped realizing the bloody and wounded body of Sairaorg's Pawn in her arms. "What are you doing here!?"
"D-damnit, Lupa said this would happen," she coughed weakly. "Didn't expect to be c-carried like a princess. Did you like my trick? Fought an Enera youkai a few months back to learn it…the cracks you can slip past when nothing but fog…" She collapsed unconscious having incurred injuries from slipping through Dimension lost mixed with Georg's counterattack. All the same, she passed out with an incorrigible grin on her lips at her current position. Not only had she found her way into the arms of a cute nekoshou, but did what she sought. Georg was completely exposed.
His fear hit full force, causing the mage to fire multitudes of spells and attacks towards Gasper so powerful it would surely kill even an Ultimate-fighter if they all struck. Instead, they disappeared one after another within the waiting darkness and eyes slowly advancing on him. Even his strongest spells were stopped in their tracks, the time-freeze of Balor View still active even in this state. He couldn't reconstitute his mists; all attempts being devoured by Gasper's anger. The sorrow of seeing Misty dead, Koneko wounded and knowing how many had fallen protecting the city finally pushed him past all limits. The Rating Game against Sairaorg had only been the act that loosened the cap on his potential.
"Wh-what are you!? This wasn't in any of the data on you! St-stay back!" His face was one of pure despair, nothing worked and his fear only heightened as Gasper started to change the shape of the darkness around him. Birds, dragons, cats, wolves, shapes of animals that weren't properly formed surrounded the lone mage. He had nothing left, turning to flee but finding no salvation in the dark.
His screams caused even Akeno to cover her ears as the void around them suddenly receded completely focused on him. In a flash, they were back in Lilith with the light returned to normal. Georg was lying flat on his back, eyes wide staring at the sky completely unresponsive. He was still breathing, being quickly sealed and detained with no further resistance. Gasper, on the other hand, was now sleeping soundly beside him almost like a child. Koneko was the first to approach, handing Hikari to Honda as she took a seat, laying the young vampire's head on her lap.
"I've never seen him sleep so peacefully," she remarked to a nodding Rias. "He was always so nervous of his powers, but now…"
"He's so comfortable with them that he can sleep even in a warzone," Akenko smiled with Rias returning to her normal form.
Vampires hate devils, no doubt that is why the Tepes and Vladi families refused to speak with me after I made Gasper my Bishop. After this, however, maybe they will accept my communications. Georg was a high-tier magician known around the world for his talent and Gasper just bested him like it was the easiest thing. They're more class-centered than even devils refusing the thought of a piece system making 'impure' versions. I know you'll be ready Gasper for when both they and the magician council take note of your victory here. Maybe you'll get your own contract mage someday…
"I just wish it could have happened sooner."
Off to the side, Herja and Brynda were crying with Misty in their arms, Bikou kneeling beside looking very out of place. Despite their best efforts, there was no saving her even after pouring out both bottles of their Phenex Tears. It was too late.
"Dorian," Herja sniffled as she contacted him over their comms. "Misty, she…she's…"
"She's what?" Dorian sounded strained in the background, still battling the Jabberwocky as explosions could be heard in the background. "Herja, she's what!?"
"She's dead," her voice was flat, in shock at what she was saying. "Georg got her and…"
"What?" Dorian repeated with a crack in his voice. "I…I'm breaking off the attack, I'll be there in…"
"Don't do that," Kuroka interjected as she floated down still in her new transformed state. "If you break away from the Jabberwocky, it'll rampage more. We can't have that."
"But…"
"Don't worry," she knelt before the fallen Valkyrie while reaching into her sleeve. "You forget, devils aren't the only ones who can reincarnate anymore." Holding out her hand, she produced one of her Senet pieces.
"What are you doing?" Her teammate, Bikou, asked almost at the same time as Dorian.
"I-it's her piece system!" Brynda explained while wide-eyed. "Does it work on Valkyries?!"
"You've never been reincarnated yet, right? Only one way to find out, if it's something you think she'd want." Only a second of silence followed before Herja answered."
"She always said she thought your ears were cute."
"That's all I needed to hear," Kuroka knelt while rolling up her sleeves. "Though, this is a first time for me. I haven't actually tried this before."
"Present the piece to her," Rias stepped forward hoping the process was the same as with her own Peerage set. "Open up the magic to her, and let it do the rest." Kuroka breathed deep to hide her nervousness before doing as she said. To her surprise, the piece trembled slightly even before being put forward, a good sign by the smile on the Gremory heiress' face.
The black light flashed, nearly blinding everyone except Kuroka who could stare into it without pain. Letting go, the piece began to float in the air vibrating softly almost like the thrum of a hummingbird's wings. Slowly, with growing intensity, it lowered down upon and then sunk into Misty's breasts. Almost instantly, the young Valkyrie arched her back, eyes shooting open as a jet-black tail popped out of her lower back. The shock sent her sitting upright, slamming heads with Bikou knocking him clear. Her two friends were still crying, pushing forward to hold her close squeezing all the tighter.
"Um, guys…what happened?" Misty asked, feeling beloved and confused at the same time.
"GAH! God damnit!" Bikou shot back up gripping his head in pain. "I try to be a nice guy and get clocked in the head for it, what…what are you looking at?" Misty's eyes had turned into stars at seeing the, admittedly strapping, monkey youkai before her. Herja glanced between them before facepalming hard, seeing exactly what her childhood friend was thinking.
"You're back!" Brynda wouldn't stop smiling before shouting to Dorian on the other side of the communication spell. "She's okay!"
"Kuroka…thank you…thank you so much." Dorian muttered; a sniffle able to be heard that he tried hard to suppress at the good news surrounding one of his first friends from Lady Eir's class so many months past. "Is she okay?"
"We'll find that out together," she teased upon seeing a pair of black cat ears pop from the young Valkyries head. "Another mouth to feed and another nekoshou in the world. Aika will love being a senpai in that regard."
"Thank you, I…" he started, but she did not let him get any further.
"I think thaaaaaat two kids will suffice for this one act," she couldn't help herself. "Don't think me being the leader of my own team will separate us. Like that little Agares, we'll always be branches of your Crossroads."
"I wouldn't dream of it, later we can…IGGY TURN!" Kuroka shirked back as static hit her in full force. Whatever happened had cut off their connection. She knew better than to try reestablishing it to finish her teasing. He was busy.
He'll survive, I can finish teasing him then. I got to help someone else today, this is quite unlike me…or at least who I used to be. Would I be a softy if I started making a habit of this?
"U-um, Ms. Kuroka," Herja stood up, Brynda still unwilling to release their revived friend ogling Bikou. She bowed low, surprising the older nekoshou. "Brynda and I had a question, so that Misty doesn't have to walk this alone…"
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Well, can you do that two more times?"
The battle rages on both over the skies and within the streets of Lilith. Dorian against the Jabberwocky, Issei against Cao Cao with their allies dealing with the forces arrayed against them. Casualties rise on both sides, but not all is sorrow. The battle for the home of the devils concludes next time. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D