DragonGodZalama: That would be quite the image, I saw those Godzilla movies before and they were REALLY good imo. The fun part is that canon never did show where they found the Trihexa...only listed it as at "the end of the world".
avenger3576: I can neither confirm nor deny that inquiry XD. I liked the rebellion in canon but it felt very "late" for lack of a better term considering it took place after Vol. 18. It happening sooner felt right for pacing especially after hearing they may be allying with vampires next.
swid16kawail: That is a very wise statement when it comes to Old God magic/tech. Sort of, not a direct reference to it, but the idea of an ancient place where beings beyond our history dwelled in ages past, oh yes. They'll only go crazy if they try messing with things beyond their ken ;)
OBSERVER01: That is one title for it XD
Guest1: Canonically, he adopted him to give him diplomatic immunity from his past crimes. Odin knew they'd need Vali's help against the brigade and didn't want something as trivial as the law to hold them back.
Guest2: Great Red/Ophis were always considered number one along with the Trihexa. Shiva was right behind them with Indra being considered 4th. I know they said Hades was 7th and Thor was 8th with Fenrir being 10th. Ajuka/Sirzech's status was always weird as they were counted "among the 10th" when at their strongest, yet Sirzechs was once said to be far stronger than Hades in his true form which never made sense to me since someone's peak power should be conisdered for their placement to begin with. God of the Bible was unofficially called a top 10 since he sealed the Trihexa all by himself while the other gods working together needed centuries to do the same according to Rossweisse.
silverhawk88: No worries at all, no need to review unless you really want to :) Yea, I didn't realize until I finished how much happened in it at once lol. You are so welcome, thank you for the kind words and I hope you like what I have planned coming up.
7: It's always great to meet another Lovecraft fan, it is hard to try describing a city from a time considered "indescribable" lol. And you are right, the ability to create replica weapons was something that came up later in DxD. I believe in canon Durandal is up to 3 and Galatine is up to 2 or 3. With how legendary he was, Vasco got the first. I'll admit, the Church Rebellion was an interesting take I quite liked, though it coming after the events of Volume 18 felt a bit "late" for lack of a better term. Having them move early due to internal struggles and the discovery of this underwater city felt right ESPECIALLY after hearing that they may be asked to ally with vampires now. Well, we haven't seen the Khaos Brigade enter the city yet...though if you mean how did they get the staff Katera used...I will say that it was given by 1 person who got there first years earlier ;)
TheLycan2026: The dreaded cliffhanger XD Sorry for that again lol. Thank you so much!
Talking Pumpkin: Atlantis is a VERY underrated movie imo haha, definitely one of my favorite Disney films. Not a direct reference to it, but I've always been a fan of grand expeditions to long forgotten worlds like Atlantis or The Lost World. I hope you like what they find :)
Okaze: Oh, you will surely like these next few chapters then haha.
fanficcyberman: I sent a full reply to you via PM as usual :). Your kind words really mean a lot, especially on seeing more of the Nagalfr. I am hoping to have it drawn soon, super proud of it. Yea, that was what I wanted to showcase that even a watchdog of the Old Gods is a supreme threat to the current groups. I've been doing well and hope the same has been for you and your family! :D
TheHiddenLettuce: It essentially boils down to them fighting these different factions for centuries prior to God's death but then after God was gone, they start doing almost the exact opposite of what he did while alive. The Exorcist Rebellion was less complicated in canon, though still had Vasco on their side in Volume 19 wanting to show they didn't need an alliance outside of Heaven. I'll go into detail later, but essentially just about every single person who is in the rebellion lost friends or family fighting against these other myths, so suddenly being all chummy with them didn't sit well with a lot.
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"Saying I don't have the right to talk," Issei grumbled, still thinking of the harsh words Elmenhilde had spoken at the meeting. For some reason he couldn't shake it from his mind since waking up and it'd absolutely ruined the mood of his shower. "I'm the Red Dragon Emperor and Oppai Dragon, but I'm also Rias's Pawn. Strictly speaking…she isn't wrong."
I'm no good at those diplomatic things unless someone starts a fight. A few of the leaders are cool like old man Odin or the Satans, even Michael, but these new ones just rub me the wrong way. What I need to do is put myself in a position where I can help Rias in those kinds of situations.
"Rating Game Emperor," he muttered to himself as he doodled circles into his notebook. "Diehauser has a ton of sway with higher ups with that title, if I make it there someday…"
"Man, what has you looking so glum?" Motohama poked his finger into Issei's cheek, causing him to sit up having not even noticed he was there. "Still moping now that Rias left on vacation? It seems that sexy nurse has too, I haven't seen her in days!"
"No!" Issei sat up only then realizing he'd almost forgotten to throw on his jersey in preparation for gym class. "None of your business!"
I used to be able to tell them anything, even if they'd give me a hard time about it later. But if Motohama or Matsuda learned about the supernatural world, they'd be in danger. That's like the only thing the Khaos Brigade and everyone else seem to agree on, that it's better to keep things hidden from the normal world.
It had been over a day since the Nagalfr set sail from the Tower with Rias following shortly on her way to Romania with Gasper, Kiba, Cat, Kuroka and Bennia. Apparently, their territory was remote and not easily accessible by magic, so would take time to arrive. She'd left periodic calls when she could, one of the highlights of his days. Since the last one, things had gone smoothly no different than any other day at Kuoh.
Until she gets back, we'll wait for good news and protect our home. Man, it's already getting cold this winter, can't warm weather come back already!?
"I'm surprised you're taking this so seriously," Issei finally noticed Motohama was keeping up rather well despite being a completely normal person.
The young Red Dragon found himself having to hold back ever since becoming a devil, and with the boost from Great Red's flesh, he felt like normal people were made of paper. All the same, he couldn't bear to stop being friends with them for their safety, wanting his peaceful days at Kuoh Academy to continue.
When we get older, they'll age but I won't. Will I have to make myself look old with magic to fool them, or maybe I can find a way they can stay young too? It'll be hard, but they're my friends, it'll be worth it to stay friends the rest of our lives.
"I thought you and Matsuda were all about getting by working out as little as possible in gym."
"It's my pride man!" The bespectacled pervert snapped back suddenly. "I'll tell you, but you gotta keep this secret from EVERYONE." Issei nodded, jogging a little closer to his friend who dropped to a low whisper. "I think…that Kiryuu is a witch!"
"Um, didn't we already know that?"
"I don't mean messing with us kind of witch, I mean the magic using sinister kind!" Issei started coughing in surprise at the sudden accurate shift while trying to cover it up as having just inhaled too much cold air.
"What…what makes you say that?"
"Well, I was following her the other day. Ya know, make sure she wasn't plotting against us, when I saw her talking to Ms. Rossweisse. I couldn't hear what they said, but after teach left, Kiryuu dropped her phone under the desk…AND LIFTED IT TO GET IT BACK!"
"Well, m-maybe it wasn't a heavy desk…"
"It was Ms. Rossweisse's desk! You know she has mountains of those thick books on it, thing had to weigh a good hundred pounds, but Kiryuu lifted it with ONE hand. ONE. HAND! Oh, don't look at me like I'm crazy man. I saw it!"
Dangit, he's pretty focused on this. What is with you man, you used to try and steer clear of her, but it seems like you've been doing everything to see her every day. It's like…ooooooh.
"You don't…have a thing for her, do you?"
"WHAT!?" Issei's legitimate question turned into an effective distraction strategy as Motohama's mind immediately forgot about the freakish use of strength. "Like that monster? Please, she's thwarted our attempts to see every hot beauty since we enrolled here, she's done everything to keep us from keeping an eye on the gorgeous women of our classes. She…she…"
"Just has something about her?"
"YES!" The bespectacled pervert blurted out before noticing the slight smirk on Issei's face. "Don't you do that, just cause Matsuda has been hanging out with that girlfriend of his, doesn't mean that I'm that weak!"
"He and Hase have been together quite a bit," Issei pointed out, looking at the end of the class to see Matsuda doing stretches close enough to the fence for a first-year girl to see him. It was obvious the two were talking.
"Hase, Kiryuu, that Ravel girl who just transferred in, why do so many want to start interfering with our lives? We had a good system before."
Well, if you mean being despised by most of the women of the school as good…but things have gotten better since I became a devil. Rias, Asia, Cat, Ravel, I can't picture myself without them. Ravel is my manager now; I need to take my interactions with her more seriously. And Cat has been through a lot, it's my duty to make sure she doesn't go through any more. Even Suraiya…
"Huh, that's weird. Are those guys cosplayers?" Issei turned towards the direction his friend was pointing. "Is there a convention nearby?"
Issei's heart sunk at those words, praying over and over again that his troubles had not followed to the school. It had always been his hope that no matter what happened as Rias' Pawn or the Oppai Dragon that he could always attend school normally. That no longer seemed possible as it was clear the people Motohama saw were robed magicians. Their clothes were similar to Nilrem and yet had differences he'd not seen before. Three men were pointing directly at him with hands raised and glowing magic circles aimed to fire.
"Motohama," Issei whispered with a low voice. "Get the others and run!"
In the Classrooms, a few minutes earlier…
"You could have been subtler," Rossweisse shook her head while working on grading the latest projects. "A normal person couldn't have jumped from the second-floor window without getting hurt."
"I forget sometimes," Thrud threw her arms up nonchalantly as she lounged in one of the desks still wearing her gym clothes and shorts. "It would have been fine if the other teachers hadn't spotted me. Thought for sure I had to have twisted something."
"And if I hadn't come by, you wouldn't have backed down. Fortunately, they bought our story."
"Oh, I'm in shock, clearly I am not feeling it yet," Thrud laughed, scratching the fake bandages wrapped around her ankle before vaulting to her feet and peeking around Rossweisse's shoulder. "Still cute when you're focused."
"H-hey!" The silver-haired teacher sputtered noticing how close she was. "Not here…"
"So later then? Don't think that'll stop just cause Dorian is gone," she punched Rossweisse in the arm playfully with a grin. "Hey, why so serious? I mean, we sleep in the same bed once a week now. A little flirting shouldn't be an issue."
"It's not just that," she put the pen down and stared at the table intently. "I almost forgot to finish dispensing my essay on the Trihexa to the last of the recruits last night."
"So? You were probably tired."
"It's more than that," she looked up to her childhood friend with concern in her eyes. "It actually almost slipped my mind. The only reason I remembered was because I was worried about whether Dorian and Iggy are still having nightmares about it. How can I do that, forgetting something so important?"
"Now that you mention it, I think I know what you mean." Thrud's jubilation was tempered as she responded. "I kept forgetting to read and dropped it after a few pages. Had to start hitting myself a few times to recall. Didn't that happen when you were first writing the paper back in college? If it weren't for Lady Eir keeping you on track, I'm not sure you would have even finished it."
"She was the best teacher," Rossweisse smiled at the memories of her staying after to help her finish a test or paper. "I wanted to ask what she recalled from me writing it, but she's been on vacation. I haven't been able to get in contact with her."
"She deserves the time off. But the two of us constantly almost forgetting about the essay, that is suspicious, right?"
"Very, something is wrong. It's like some…force is trying to get us to forget about my essay, push it into the back of our minds so that only a concerted effort at remembering keeps us on task."
"Kassaegtha maybe? She has been known to wipe memories, like when she admitted she zapped a few around Dorian like Irina when he had been baby-fied."
"I don't think so, now that we know about her, what would be the point? But it is like her ability, perhaps there are other Old God powers at work here? I'll bring it up to Dorian when he returns."
"Wish you could have gone too? I do," she swung her arms as if holding Gullbjorn. "Get to see things that no one has…Rose, what's wrong?"
"Thrud, look," she pointed out to the clearing outside the classroom spotting several robed individuals clearly too old to be Kuoh Academy students. "Oh no…"
"What is Nilrem doing here?! I'm gonna…"
"That is not Nilrem." Rossweisse thought fast, sprinting out of the room she quickly pulled a fire alarm setting off blaring sirens around the building as the students and faculty alike looked up confused. The young Valkyrie rushed into the first room, bowing quickly to the older gentleman in the middle of discussing the Edo Period's reforms. "There may be a fire in the science lab, please have your students taken to the designated saferooms, I'll make sure the others do the same."
"Th-thank you Ms. Rossweisse. Well, you heard her. Class leads make sure everyone is accounted for and let's get moving!" Within a matter of moments, students and passersby who overheard started spreading the word, emptying the classrooms and filling the halls with bustling people as she reunited with Thrud.
"I'm going to confront them and find Issei, let Sona and her peerage know, we'll need them in case this turns bad. All of Rias' peerage too. The saferooms were made to be out of the way, if the normal staff and students can make it there before they show their hand, we should be able to keep them from getting involved."
"Don't show any mercy!" Thrud high-fived her before rushing off having already summoned Gullbjorn but having to wait until the mystical axe could fly its way there from the tower.
They will NOT harm my friends or students; she stormed outside looking left and right for the intruders they had spotted. Until everyone had vacated the buildings, she wouldn't risk summoning her armor. However, once there were no prying eyes, or once they forced her hand, no one would be able to stop her from protecting those under her care.
Kuoh Academy grounds…
"Run? Issei, are you okay?" Motohama blinked, not certain why Issei's face had suddenly gone so pale. "Do you think those cosplayers are weirdos?"
You don't understand! Damnit, why are they here!? At this rate, the guys will get caught up in a magical attack!
"Just get around the building, quick! Take Matsuda and the others with you!" He blurted out before darting in the opposite direction. As expected, their hand signs followed him and completely ignored Motohama. Knowing it would be deserted at this time of day, Issei bolted for the side buildings to draw off the pursuers.
"Issei!?" Motohama didn't know what was happening as his friend ran at a speed he'd never seen him manage even at school festivals. "What the hell is going on?"
"Dude, we have to go," Matsuda rushed over, panting from the exertion. "There is a fire in the science lab, everyone is getting to the saferooms."
"Not yet," Motohama grabbed his friend's bald head and pulled him into nearby bushes. "Something fishy is going on here, did you just see Issei? I think he just broke the school's 100-meter record!"
"What?" Matsuda looked around confused. "Our Issei who couldn't even outrun the Kendo Club last year?"
"The same! Come on, I saw where he went…there's no way he's leaving us out of this!"
Near the side buildings…
"You are so predictable!" One of the mages pursuing Issei called out. "Defending pathetic friends like them? The reports we had were right, despite how powerful you are, you're too soft!"
What kind of cartoonish villain logic is that?! They're mages, like the ones who jumped Volody and I before, no doubt about it. Does Mephisto know they're here? Nah, if so, he'd be bringing the cavalry. They must have a few strong ones here to have gotten past the barrier protecting the school without being spotted.
"Why the shit are you here!?" He yelled back, hoping to keep their attention focused on him and not on potentially using hostages. "You all failed to get into the Mage Association, right? What, do you think coming back to school here will help?"
Issei stopped on the edge of the forest near the buildings, sensing no one nearby though it was hard to focus. As soon as they realized he'd stopped running, the pair activated magic circles again, gathering energy into their aura.
"BOOSTED GEAR!" He called out, summoning his crimson gauntlet preparing to fight.
"A chance to challenge the Red Dragon Emperor's power," one of the mages remarked with a laugh. "Mephisto actually decided to give ranks to you, these 'rookies four,' what an insult. So we decided to see if it's really warranted. Even if you are as strong as the stories say, the plan will still move forward."
"Plan? What plan?" He didn't get a chance to ask more before an explosion shook the ground coming from the new school building. "What the, that looked like one of Rossweisse's attacks. "If you hurt anyone…! Wait, that is Ravel's first year classroom!"
The mages suddenly shimmered, splitting into dozens of copies that rushed Issei in a flash. The Pawn was no novice any longer, sliding between the legs of the first before punching two so hard they flew into those behind causing them to disperse into a cloud of smoke. Drawing Ascalon from within the depths of his Gear, he took a stance after slicing through three at once.
"You're after Ravel, aren't you!" The small army of mages laughed.
"That's how it is. Our current means of producing Phenex Tears has become compromised. Where better to get milk than from the cow hersel…" He didn't finish before Issei closed the distance, breaking his nose with a bash of Ascalon's hilt.
"Then I don't have time to waste here. DRAGON SHOT SLASH!" The crescent wave of crimson energy wiped out the remaining clones leaving three mages still standing having deflected it with powerful magic circles. "Get the Hell out of my way!"
If I promoted to Crimson Cardinal or even Balance Breaker, I could tear them apart…but how much collateral damage would that cause? I don't know if everyone got to safety. I have to be smart about it…man, I hate having to pull my punches. Wait, maybe… Issei ran towards a nearby blue-haired mage who grinned smugly behind her barrier. With a roar of frustration, he swung a right hook that connected with the shield, doing as little as was expected.
"You're dumber than we heard, did you really think that a mere punch would be enough to…?"
Issei's fist suddenly expanded, skin turning to scales as the pale skin fell away for crimson armor. Vali had divided his power back in the Underworld to help him hold a human appearance, but with Great Red's skin melding with his own, he could access dragonified strength much easier than when it had been simply his arm. His guess at the power he could muster was proven right as his now-dragon strength cracked the barrier, allowing his punch to continue and impact the mage across the gut. She instantly fell to the ground unmoving.
"Surround him!" The lead mage called out. "Try to use the runes we developed to overload his power and..."
"GET AWAY FROM MY STUDENT!" The powerful voice of Rossweisse rained down from the sky followed by a hail of magic that punched through their barriers like bullets. While not as powerful as Issei's Sacred Gear, the attacks were more refined with no chance at collateral damage. Being so focused on Issei, they were quickly dispatched from behind. "Are you alright?"
"I am, Ms. Rossweisse," Issei nodded before shooting a Dragon Shot at a retreating mage she had missed, sniping him before he could get far away. "But they're after Ravel! They wanted me stuck here so they could target their class!"
"I know, I just came from there. We can't find her; she must have escaped before they struck but they've somehow inverted the protected wards around the school. We can't get anyone out!"
"What about the normal students?"
"We feigned an accident in the science building, they are in the designated shelters but those will only do so much. We have to end this fast. Lady Sitri has mobilized her peerage while the rest of your team are protecting the students. Zepar is helping them defend the shelters, do you have any way of finding Ravel?"
"Right!" Issei slapped his head with a resounding smack. "She made a contract with me when she became my manager! I can sense where she is when I'm close enough. Come on, let's go find her before they do!"
Across the School…
"What...the HELL is going on!?," Motohama muttered as he huddled hiding within a bush off a walking path. He'd tried to follow Issei but lost sight of him with how fast he was sprinting. Not wanting to head for the shelter with the rest just yet, he and Matsuda had snuck to the science building to see the damage but never expected what they'd find. "Is that Tsubaki!?"
High in the sky, their bespectacled classmate soared on strange batwings using what looked like a giant mirror against the cosplayers he'd seen before. Not only that, but the entire student council seemed to be in on it with Yura pummeling them with her bare hands, Tomoe and Momo handling some of their own and Saji using a weird black glove to fight. The two perverts had no idea what to make of the situation.
"I-it's just like an anime," Matsuda stuttered in fear. "We sh-should have gone with the others. I don't think we're main character status, which means we're goners if we get involved."
"This can't be real!" Motohama agreed while trying to clear fog from his glasses created from the mist permeating the area from fire and ice attacks being traded. "L-let's try to get away and…"
"Oho, a few intruders," the pair let out a quick scream as one of the cosplayers loomed over them, nailing Matsuda in the gut with his staff. The bald high schooler crumpled as if the weapon was way heavier than it should have been. He did not get up.
"MATSUDA! You bastard!" Despite having no weapon to use, Motohama swung his school bag at the man in the robe. Unsurprisingly, the attack didn't connect, bouncing off a strange shimmering green bubble that surrounded him. The bag was thrown clear with its owner, Motohama, struggling to get up.
"They are putting up a better fight than we thought, with a hostage or two, we can force a surrender before he gets here. Now come here you little…"
"Neko-Valkyrie strike-NYA!" A woman leapt through the air, tackling the weirdo man going through his shield. "Try picking on someone your own size!" Motohama scrambled to crawl away as the girl fought, he had lost his glasses and everything was a blur. Fumbling blindly, he managed to recover them and bring them back to his face.
"Much better. Wh-what is going on!?"
The woman who fought with the mage was straight out of a manga complete with white cat ears and tail emerging from beneath her skirt which was clearly a Kuoh Academy uniform. Her hands were glowing a pale-blue as she delivered punch after punch and several high kicks into the robed stranger. Despite the strength he'd shown against Matsuda, she was completely dominating the encounter, finishing with a heel kick to the back of his head that left the student uncertain if he was still alive. Even with everything he'd seen that day, what blew his mind most was the clear identity of his savior.
"A-Aika, I mean…Kiryuu!? Don't tell me you're mixed up with this insanity too? I knew you were a witch!" While addressing the events around them, he could not take his eyes off her white tail swishing back and forth.
"Move you idiot!" She pulled him up and half threw him across the yard as a crater replaced where he had just been. "I'm not the best at using defensive magic on another person yet."
With a final pounce, she leapt over the second cosplayer's next attack, slamming into his face and knocking him to the ground. With a punch or two for good measure, he stayed down. Standing up with an aggravated sigh, Aika walked up to him, holding out a hand to help him up.
"Who are you!?" He blurted out, taking her hand despite the fear in his voice and uncertainty at the woman he thought he knew so well.
"I'm the one who will keep you safe," she winked playfully while picking up Matsuda's unconscious body. "Stay low, we don't want your head getting shot off, that's the best part of you."
Nearby…
"This should not have been possible," Sona stood atop one of the buildings overlooking the now-deserted courtyards. Channeling her powers trained with Serafall since she was little, the head of the student council summoned water serpents that lunged for the advancing mages. "There are too many of them, even one getting through the barrier should have been impossible. We took every precaution…"
"Cloning magic?" Tsubaki asked as she protected her king, Saji lunging into the front lines. "They are quite capable at that to supplement their numbers."
"It's more than that, I've also spotted far fewer among the attacking forces. If they were truly coordinated here, they'd be attacking with all they have. Unless, this is all their numbers, which means…!"
"SONA!" Tsubaki angled her Sacred Gear, Mirror Alice, at the last possible moment to protect the Sitri heiress from a blast of purple magic from seemingly nowhere. To their horror, it was no normal magic, but contained the holy element. The mirror exploded in a shower as it was overwhelmed yet still managed to reflect the attack back at the hidden foe. A barrier shimmered as it struck, revealing them and dispersing their invisibility spell.
"Almost got you there, didn't I?" The form of a woman with short hair covered in ribbons wearing a violet Lolita outfit stepped forward dramatically with flair. "Oh, what I would have given to see you both writhing wrapped in holy flame."
"Walburga," Sona focused on the new enemy she recognized from her tutelage. With Tsubaki's Mirror Alice shattered by the attack, she would not be able to reconstitute it quickly. "So that is it, these aren't Nilrem mages, they are from Hexennacht, the Witch's Night. Have you joined the Khas Brigade as well?"
Hexennacht is one of the Mage Association's lesser divisions, she grimaced as her carefully laid battle plans against the more common sorcerers and witches started to fall apart in the face of one like Walburga. She was well aware of their group, having contracted with mages from them along with Rias when they were little girls. They must have turned after Ophis left, that explains why she didn't know about them. Walburga has been their leader for years, is she so twisted that even with our alliances, she chooses chaos?
"You figured me out already? Guess that's why you're considered the smart one," she sneered back with a sadistic smile.
Without warning, she rushed forward with arms raised. More purple flames brimming with holy magic were launched at them. Knowing they could not withstand even one hit, the pair moved quickly. Thinking fast, Sona summoned a portal from which emerged a great torrent of water surging towards the mage. The powerful woman did not blink at the tidal wave, instead standing there as dozens of purple-fire crosses exploded into being before her. The water slammed against her defenses, evaporating on contact until naught remained but steam and heat, obscuring her from their sight. The devil pair found themselves surrounded by a slowly closing ring of fire, even escape from above was blocked by more.
"I thought he was insane sending so many of us to fight a high school," Walburga scolded as she walked closer behind the safety of her firewall. "Even with you all here, our numbers would win out, but you're quite the little tactician, aren't you? Without me and our allies, you actually would have routed us. The reverse can be said as well, without your sharp mind or that Red Dragon, we'd dominate here."
"Your allies?" Sona tried to keep her talking while her mind formulated a new idea. "These higher-ranked factions of the Khaos Brigade?"
"They have their uses, but what was better was them giving me such interesting souls to use," raising her hands as if directing a symphony, the fire around them coalesced together forming what looked like a sinister dragon prepared to pounce.
"That is no normal magic. You have a Sacred Gear that you've kept hidden from everyone, haven't you?"
"Batting two for two," she looked even more maniacal as her desire for pain became more obvious.
"What could they have given to bring you to their side?"
"Chances at fun like this. Behold, my Incinerate Anthem, it's one of the holy variants if you can believe that. The very cross their god's son died upon for humanity's sins."
"And that shape is one of the souls you spoke of?" Sona glanced to the side, worried that the walls of flame were dangerously close to Tsubaki. None of their magical attacks could disperse it and they were running out of options.
"One of many, some rather unsavory dragons that lived in ages past. This one should be fun to watch devour you. Kill them."
The purple dragon lunged forward, maw gaping ready to claim the two exhausted women in its clutches. Sona's eye twitched at the situation, her team too far to help still battling dozens of mages she realized now had been Walburga's intention from the start to hide until the opportune moment to strike. She prepared a new water dragon; it was her only option hoping to slow it enough for at least Tsubaki to escape.
"Saji…I…" Her words were silenced as something whipped past her head so quickly it caught her hair up in the gust.
Gullbjorn, crackling with Nordic lightning slammed into the violet dragon's snout, a burst of blue energy destabilizing its form as the wall of flames around them fell away. Tsubaki and Sona took the opportunity to fall back in the direction of the weapon knowing who would be waiting to help.
"My men couldn't delay you? Tch," Walburga groaned, backing up as her advantage dwindled.
"Not even for a minute," Thrud put a hand on her hip as she used the other to recall her weapon to her fingers. "You couldn't have picked a better form for that monster of yours, getting a chance to slay another dragon will be quite the story to tell ma and da later."
Elsewhere…
"Ravel!" Issei called out, spotting the heiress surrounded by mages. "Damnit, how many of these guys are there!?"
"Lord Issei!" She called out, dodging one to set him ablaze, but a powerful wall of ice struck her from the side dousing her wings. She was skilled in magic but lacked the brute power needed against so many. "Thank goodness…"
"Screw property damage, if no one is around…BALANCE BREAKER, SCALE MAIL! Low power, LONGINUS SMASHER!" The mages between him and Ravel went flying, their powers utterly inconsequential against his Sacred Gear. He rushed to Ravel's side, holding her shoulders as he looked her up and down for injuries. "Did they hurt you?!"
"I am fine," she covered a scorch mark on her arm. "Zepar pushed back most of them near the courtyard, if it weren't for him, they'd have overwhelmed me easily. I had no idea they had such numbers."
"They don't,' Rossweisse explained while on guard for more. "Most of these are astral clones, but far stronger than any I've seen. They must have come across some power source that gives them the ability to put more into each copy. I saw granny…grandmother do something similar though it took a toll. I suppose she surpasses me there still."
"There is not a single category in which you are inferior to your venerable grandmother."
A voice drew the three to look across the pavilion where a man was sitting at a table as if nothing was going on around him. He looked relatively young with silver braided hair and matching suit-like robe that made him seem very official. The most unsettling part was none of them had sensed his approach, putting Rossweisse on the defensive instantly.
"Are you with Nilrem?" She demanded. "You are a devil, that much I can tell from your magic.
"With Nilrem?" He chuckled, finding it amusing. "My dear, they are not Nilrem, but I do lead this merry band and came here personally. I doubt any of my underlings could have inverted the academy barrier, one of my finest works if I do say so."
"You won't lay a finger on Ravel," Issei stepped up beside Rossweisse who had fully donned her armor. "If you try…"
"Believe me, Issei Hyoudou, Red Dragon Emperor, I would gladly swear off even touching that little heiress behind you if my true request is accepted. My mages came here for her, but I came here…for you."
"Me?" Rossweisse's skin started to crawl as he locked eyes with her.
"Rossweisse, Former bodyguard to Allfather Odin himself, Valkyrie of the Crossroads and so many more titles you have been accumulating including the most intelligent Valkyrie known for your beauty and silver hair. With your Einherjar lover away on a fool's errand, this seemed the best chance for us to talk uninterrupted by any heroics."
"You know our names," the silver-haired warrior pointed at him while formulating offensive runes ready to fire. "Name yourself, I shall not listen to another word until you do." The man sighed in a disappointed fashion before standing and bowing low.
"Where are my manners? Perhaps the time away from civilized culture has dulled my sense of propriety. My name is Euclid Lucifuge. You may be familiar with my formerly esteemed sister. Regardless, the question is for you, Valkyrie Rossweisse, will you not join me and side with the Khaos Brigade?"
Underwater City…
Dorian ducked beneath a beam protruding from the wall as he walked the halls, just another bit of damage from their crash into their intended destination. Dozens of men and women rushed back and forth, barely noticing him enough to give a quick nod to the official Captain of the Nagalfr.
"You gonna take that boss?" Ratatoskr jabbed the side of his head. "Yer the cap'n after all."
"They have more important things to do. Any news?"
"Nothin new," the squirrel's shoulder's slumped in disappointment. "Whatever this Old God field thingy is, it's drained everything. And I do mean everything, even Glasses' shiny wings are barely working and that was after she got a magical oomph from Diehauser. Brokkr and Eitri are working around the clock, but forget about anything bigger than a toaster working."
"At least it doesn't seem to be stopping magic," Dorian glanced out a window at the vast ocean visible just beyond their walls. He knew full well that barrier teams were the only reason that damage had been minimal upon crashing, using their powers to hold back the tons of water just begging to rush in. "At least not totally."
"Such defenses are to be expected," Kassaegtha remarked from around a half-destroyed bulkhead. "Your enemies cannot fight if they cannot muster the power."
"Whoever you fought back then must have been terrifying." Dorian mused, passing by a group of angels struggling with a barrier keeping the water out from a breach in the hull. "How long have you been at it?"
"T-two hours," the head angel groaned. "We were supposed to be relieved, but…"
"Their replacements were among the traitors," Hecuba informed him as she approached, handing over a clipboard. "Just about a third of the entire Church expedition were as such."
"Damn…" Dorian whispered just picturing the many prisoners now in custody down in the holds. "I'll see if we can get someone to spare from the other myths. Until then, here." From his now-summoned Sacred Gear, plumes of Hestia's flames floated toward the exhausted angels, replenishing their stamina.
"Thank you," he gasped in relief as new strength filled his veins. "Normally, any one of us could hold this easily, but it is taking far more effort than usual."
It's this place, Dorian and the others knew well. This field, bubble, whatever we can call it, it's rendering all technology inert and is muting magic. Even the gods are affected, though it's hard to tell with their demeanor.
"Is that them?" He looked over the clipboard the young Spartan had handed him.
"Yes, casualty reports I am afraid. We found two more under some rubble, they were some of Ouryuu's Shinto priests. They will live, but their injuries will keep them from standing until we can get to better care."
"Your healing magics won't work so well," Kassaegtha pointed out. "You have to leave."
"Only way that is happening is if we can turn off this field of your people. I haven't figured out how to get the Roads open in this muck either," the Einherjar turned on the old goddess. "Morale has been bleak."
"But it's been looking up thanks to some help," Ratatoskr motioned to a large group of exhausted or wounded bathed in a soft pink glow. Walking around the rows of cots and chairs was Aphrodite waving her hands to release the haze into the air. Those who breathed it in felt more at ease, the stress alleviating for a short while. It was instrumental in helping calm down the initial chaos of the crash and continued to soothe. She gave a quick but vibrant wave to them as she spotted Ratatoskr, but continued her work. "Put her and Freyja in the same room and there's enough love to fill the planet. Though I'd much rather have her and Yggdrasil in the same room…"
"Curiosity has been an inconsistent aspect to your kind when safety is involved," Kassaegtha ignored his input. "Just look what it has done to your ship."
"We've shorn everything up as best we can, considering the Ark hasn't attacked us, I'd guess they're in the same boat as us."
"No pun intended," Rat's snickering echoed from the makeshift area they were using as a conference room while the bridge was being repaired. "Ye might wanna hurry if ya are thinking of heading out, I think that Indra guy is gonna beat you to it. Smells like something is going on."
"What!?" Dorian bolted down the hall with Hecuba close behind. Since crashing, an opening to the city had been stabilized through the hole made by their impact. Through it, naught but darkness could be seen, eliciting a reaction of caution from all within considering what they knew lurked within. "We agreed NOT to enter without a plan."
"We told him the same," Tobio was waiting at the breach with Lavinia and a small group of various myths facing the Hindu god and a sizeable entourage. An enormous black dog stood by the Grigori agent's side snarling, none dared approach.
"I am tired of huddling in this wreckage," Indra remarked while looking out into the darkness. Despite clearing a good portion, they could barely see further than a few feet into the hall. Strange buttresses and impossible shapes they couldn't describe could be seen built from an onyx stone that resisted all attempts to procure a sample.
"We were helping stabilize our wounded and plan our next steps!" Percelos, the son of Zeus angrily called out, Greek guards having summoned him at the first sign of trouble. "We should at least wait for the other leaders and deities to arrive…"
"MY injuries are just fine," Indra handwaved him off. "Lick your wounds all you like, my Ramayans will clear the way." The troop of soldiers armed with short round shields bristling with magical power and spears made of a substance that would pierce almost any armor moved in triple file. Ignoring Dorian's grimacing expression, the men marched out into the dark, disappearing from sight.
"Oh yea, walking out into blackness after a guard dog made of shadows nearly ate our ship." Ratatoskr facepalmed. "THAT will end well. While he's at it, maybe he wants to roll around in barbeque sauce and hang a chain of steaks around his dic…"
A scream shattered the calm within a few minutes of the men marching out of the safety of their bubble. Sounds of battle could be heard from the darkness lit up every few moments for just an instant as Indra or one of his men fired off an attack. As quickly as the brief flash was seen, it would be engulfed by black again.
"Serves him right," one Einherjar grumbled as they saw one man get whipped off his feet in the flash, to be gone when the next one came. Many from the vessel fired magical blasts into the darkness but did so little to light the way that they could not tell if it was helping at all. "I donna fear any foe I can cleave with my axe, but this place…"
We have to help them! Dorian's mind raced. If we just fire back from the safety of this place, we're going to hit them as much as whatever is attacking them. If Indra isn't able to obliterate them, it means either he's just as blind as them, his powers are more muted than he lets on or these things are God-strength…in which case there is little we can do until they arrive. We can't wait, if only we could see…
"Hecuba! Go and find any elves of Alfheim or anyone on board who can cast their magic. QUICK!" Without question, she raced off to fulfill his command. "The rest of you…stay back for the moment." In a flash, Dorian's Asgardian armor appeared over his body quickly supplemented by the light-armor of Alfheim he had used to survive the depths of Yomi. Drawing Twilight Star, he leapt through the energy field protecting the Nagalfr from the terrors within. "ALFHEIM!" He screamed, using the same all-revealing power that told them even the truth of the monster that had threatened the Nagalfr. The shockwave rippled out into the dark, impacting it almost like a wall and driving it away spreading light everywhere it touched.
"It was that darkness creature!" Lavinia shouted as she and Tobio rushed out once the encompassing black had been driven from the breach.
"Or a piece of it," Dorian theorized. "That thing ran away from the light of Alheim, but the one outside took all the gods combined to beat. I was hoping it'd at least scare it off, nothing else came to mind."
"Perhaps it is spread further out now, weakened by the Gods' assault," Seekvaira tried to back up his theory that she was finding more and more plausible. "Would that mean every shadow here is part of that thing?"
"Not every shadow," Kassaegtha answered ominously. "But any shadow."
With the room cleared, they could finally see what remained of the Hindu force that had set out with their war god. There were noticeably fewer members and those that remained were scattered from their previous organized formation. They were unnerved, wounded, and screaming for their god to save them. The fact they had been among the strongest of their myth's normal troops made how they were acting all the more terrifying. Indra was covered in superficial wounds, preparing to fire another bolt of energy at the first enemy to challenge him. None came, but a soft hissing noise from the darkness gave away the horrifying revelation that the blackness may not have been the only thing there with them.
"Get them back to the Nagalfr!" Dorian called out as he approached Indra. "Look, if you pull back…" Vajra swung to the side, clashing as Dorian got Twilight Star up in the nick of time. Energy flashed at the impact, the Einherjar certain the Hindu God had done so out of instinct as there was no true malice behind the swing. Indra, known as one of the top five strongest beings in the world, looked shaken and uncertain, something he did not like.
"I…could see nothing," he admitted with a swallow before recomposing himself. "There were many enemies in the dark aiding the creature, but I couldn't see them, even my best attacks…"
"Fortunately, powerful light seems to be our beast weapon here. Your men are being taken back to the ship," Dorian laid a hand on his shoulder, passing a temporary version of his light armor to him. "Lead them, we'll take things from here." Indra nodded slowly, wiping a strange teal liquid from his arm as he returned towards the perceived safety of the Nagalfr.
Is that blood? Not any blood I've ever seen, maybe he did manage to get one of whatever was using the darkness as cover.
Dorian sighed as the legendary hammer was lowered from his chest, glancing to Ratatoskr who had returned to his shoulder.
"He couldn't see anything; did he mean with his eyes or his foresight skill?"
"Going out on a limb here boss and will say…yes."
Underwater city, hours later…
"The perimeter is secure, Lord Odin," a blonde Valkyrie alerted with a salute. "The cavern here is safe for travel."
"Excellent," he looked her up and down, recognizing her as an older Valkyrie who had served for years. She had a full figure which he appreciated, making the darkness of that place a little brighter. "I see our Alfheim light is working like a charm."
"We didn't have many elves onboard, but enough to spare along with the light magics of the other myths being able to be somewhat adapted. Lord Tyr has been sharing his Alfheim armor with those of us most in need." Sure enough, several of their more prominent fighters and scientists were clad in the armored light that Dorian had mastered in the depths of Yomi. With his growing talent, it seemed he was now capable of bestowing it upon others though at a cost of his stamina.
"I hope the lad can keep up," the Allfather teased with a sly grin at his wording. "Even my new son seems to be getting in on the action." He pictured Vali departing with his team to explore what they could once armed with light.
"This place is…unnerving," the young Valkyrie remarked. "It's more wondrous than I imagined, and yet…"
"And yet you feel that crawling sensation on the back of your neck," Odin finished her thought. "Like even being here isn't right?"
"Yes! How did you know?"
"Because I've been feeling it too, ever since we crashed and I would bet my entire wife's underwear drawer that Dorian has been feeling it too." The woman didn't know how to respond to his crude remark.
My eye gives me insight into that sort of thing, but just how much of that extra sense has the boy gained from his proximity to Kassaegtha? She's been talkative more than ever before. Either she's gotten sweet on him like the others, or…more likely, she has more stakes in this race than she wants to admit.
"Perhaps some words of wisdom from this old man will be what the doctor ordered. Stay here and help the others, this is something a father should do alone."
Elsewhere…
"Did you hear that?" Bikou spun as the team searched in the dark. "There it was again!"
"I hear nothing," Arthur replied with an uneasy tone. "Though there is something but I cannot place it."
"It feels like we're being watched," Vali answered for him, having already placed the ominous sensation shortly after departing from the Nagalfr. He was wearing his Balance Breaker armor covered in the Alfheim suit Dorian had provided, not trusting to have it down for even a second.
"Can we just hurry and get back to the ship?" Bikou swung his weapon back and forth expecting an attack at any moment. "This place aint right, I swear we've been walking for hours but haven't gotten anywhere."
"You're right about that," Arthur explained as he kept a hand perpetually on Caliburn's hilt. "This place seems to utilize non-Euclidian geometry, the distances not matching the routes traveled. We have been walking for hours, but could be only minutes from returning to the ship or even days."
"What the FUCK does that mean!?" Bikou blurted out, shirking back as the other two turned to shush him. "Who knows what else is down here with us."
"Quite a lot," Vali knew full well that one or many things were observing them from the all-encompassing dark but would not enter their field of light. "With how this place is designed…just how many could have lived here? Possibly an entire world."
"Even more!" Le Fay's energetic voice filled their ears as she had remained behind at the Nagalfr. "It's a self-contained realm all its own from the look of it. You weren't wrong about the non-Euclidian geometry, but don't worry. I am using myself as a reference point so you can find your way back home. Any sign of the ark?"
"None yet, but we found a series of tracks leading away from the Nagalfr. They have to be a few of the Church traitors who escaped, though I don't know if that was the best idea. Look."
Vali knelt, picking up a shredded black exorcist jacket. There were a few dashes of blood, but otherwise the previous owner was nowhere to be found. It wasn't the first they had found with a trail of boots, coats and discarded weapons littering the way. They didn't know about Alfheim's protective light, meaning they were likely hounded by the same things that had assailed Indra's force.
Did the escaping exorcists lead them right to the ship? Perhaps that is how they were there so quickly. In any case, following their trail is our best chance…if any make it back at all.
You pathetic excuse for a son! I should do the same I did to your mother…she can only protect you for so long.
Vali turned on pure instinct, firing a blast of pure demonic energy that was quickly swallowed by the darkness. Bikou and Arthur turned to follow their comrade's lead, angling their weapons in the same direction. After several moments, they relaxed realizing there was nothing there. Vali remained on edge, however, his face covered in sweat and eyes wide having recognized the voice without a doubt.
"I…I heard…Nevermind!" He stormed ahead of the rest, ignoring their shared glances of concern.
"Did you hear that?"
"It came from this way…I think."
"You think? How can we be sure of anything in this cursed blackness? Let's get back home, it was probably more of those things."
The trio of men ducked down behind a wall still stumbling in the dark. The voices were close, but they still could see nothing obscured by the unending void.
"Those were voices, normal voices." Bikou pointed out. "That way for sure."
"Exorcist patrols perhaps? It must mean we are close."
"Close enough to track them down. Stay quiet and keep your ears open. It's the only way we're going to track anyone without being able to see more than ten feet in front of our faces. Le Fay, be ready to guide us home. We may need to get out of here fast."
Nagalfr, hours later…
"How much sleep have you gotten?"
"I'm not tired," Dorian tried to dodge Hecuba's question, though the Spartan was hearing none of it. Since securing the cavern outside the Nagalfr, everyone was working diligently to set up their equipment and learn more of their surroundings. Irina and Xenovia were still with the other wounded from the betrayal and battle which clearly weighed on his mind. His words were undone by a yawn he could not stifle.
"One job as your contract mage is to tell when you are not healthy," Le Fay tutted, waving her staff gifted by future Yggdrasil in his general direction. "Your Hestia flame can only do so much. It may replenish your stamina, but my guess is that'll only hold for so long before your body literally gives out.
"The prisoners are contained, the ark is nowhere in sight and with the light-based magic disparaging that thing returning, now is the best chance." Hecuba glared him down. "I've had my fair share of men who thought they could push themselves past their limits without consequence. Get some sleep, that is an order."
"I thought I was head of the Crossroads," he said jokingly, but realized immediately from her crossed arms that she was not in the mood.
"We won't collapse because you are gone for a few hours, much as you worry that we may."
"That's not it…" he tried to explain, stopping as the tall figure of Odin rounded the corner.
"Ladies, could you perhaps leave the young man and I alone?" He smiled wide as if there was no problem in the world. "An unruly child is the responsibility of the parent, if I am not mistaken."
"We'll be over there, Vali's team are almost back anyway." Le Fay jabbed Dorian with her staff for emphasis. "At least eat something."
"I don't know about food, but…" Odin produced a flask and shook it as soon as the girls were out of range. "It can take a load off."
"I haven't drank since coming to Kuoh," Odin got a chuckle out of him. "Japanese laws after all."
"We aren't in Japan and I am sure your loves miss your flyting skills under pressure," he winked, causing a moment of contemplation from the Einherjar. After a brief silence, he accepted the flask and drank deep.
"What is it?"
"The Mead of Poetry, my favorite," Odin explained as he accepted it back and took a gulp of his own. "Supposedly it'll make you very scholarly if drank enough…I haven't noticed. It does wonders to help one relax, you need it or else you'll have more wrinkles than I."
"We just can't be rid or betrayals, can we?" Dorian let his frustration vent between his comfort speaking to Odin and the sweetness of the drink. "This was supposed to be a true venture of the Crossroads and almost immediately we have more traitors. Is it always like this?"
"As a leader, I see the worst of my people more than I would like…even more often thanks to this," he tapped his false eye. "You are one too now, don't let it get to you."
"Focus on the good," Dorian nodded along with him. "Right?"
"You can't just focus on the good, bad will always exist. But keep the good near more than the rest. You've gotten quite good at that I hear; I did not expect Rossweisse to be open to the others. She seemed more prude when working for me. You must have a silver tongue in more ways than one." The jab at Rossweisse earned him a literal jab in the arm from the Einherjar.
"Allfather…" Dorian couldn't help but smile at the thought of each confession of the women telling him how they felt. "I never expected it to turn out this way, but I'm happy. I guess it's because I saw my ideal future at Olympus, I want to make the real thing as close as possible."
"That's the way to go, work to make what you want a reality. You should always have a good work and life balance; some are better than others. Did you ever meet Heimdall?"
"I don't believe so," Dorian knew full well the watchman over Asgard who was always vigilant against attack. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen him at any gatherings."
"There's a reason for that, damn punk is a workaholic," he let out a quick laugh. "Always on the watch, guarding the gates and passages despite having an entire army to do so always clutching that horn ready to blow it at a moment's notice. Personally, I think he needs to find a girlfriend or at least a hobby."
Gjallarhorn, supposedly if blown it'll be heard across the Nine Realms. What would THAT sound like?
"That's what happens if you focus too much on your job, it becomes all you know. Yer on a good track between friends and…various lovers," he winked in a way that was meant to be subtle but couldn't have been more obvious.
"You can count on that," Dorian took another swig before wiping his mouth with a sleeve. "I'll always be there for them no matter what the future holds."
"Not even I can say how the future will turn out, I am no Norn" Odin slapped him on the back harder than expected. "At least thanks to your jaunt there, we have a sneak preview. Maybe we can get ahead of it, I was thinking this city may be tied to our past. If that is the case, there is much to learn."
"You want to head out so soon after what happened to Indra's entourage?"
"Knowledge waits for no man, ma boy." Odin's grin flashed at the same time as the twinkle of his false eye. "Come, take another sip, perhaps it will turn your silver tongue into a golden one. I thought I saw that Agares girl and angel friend of yours sneak out around the back, you might want to see if they need any company."
The Einherjar smiled, enjoying the moment for as long as it would last. This time, he took a bit of a bigger gulp of the sweet nectar provided by the principal god of the Nine Realms himself. Despite the grandeur of his position, the moment felt humbler to Dorian in that moment…like sharing a drink with a father he never had a chance to.
Far side of the Nagalfr…
"Gnh, aahhh…" Seekvaira heard the grunting and groaning as she surveyed the destroyed portion of the Nagalfr near the bridge. The damage itself was superficial, but without power, all repairs were pointless. Rounding the corner, she spotted the source of the noises.
Irina was gripping her shoulder, pulling on it with restrained cries of pain, it was clear that it hurt quite a lot. Not want to be thought of as a stalker, the Agares heiress made her presence known with a soft clearing of the throat.
"What is wrong?"
"N-nothing!" The angel jumped up suddenly acting normal despite the grimace on her face hidden by a smile. "We should focus on the others and…"
"It is dislocated, isn't it?" Seekvaira flatly asked, laying a hand on her shoulder eliciting a wince of discomfort. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"It's nothing, it b-barely hurts. Others need our supplies more."
"We need it back in place or it won't heal right. Sit down…please." Irina hesitantly obliged as Seekvaira started feeling across her body assessing the damage. "Open up your shirt."
"M-my what?!"
"Your shirt, if there is bruising, that will help us determine how bad it is."
Once again, Irina listened all the while telling herself that she had bathed with Seekvaira and the rest of the team on numerous occasions so there was no reason to be embarrassed. That thought helped a bit, however, did little to alleviate the feeling. She took off her Crossroad jacket, opening her shirt with one arm laid across her bare breasts to cover them as little as she could. Seekvaira's eyes widened as she saw marks across her arm that was already discolored.
"How did this happen?"
"Lord Vasco," she answered as Seekvaira retrieved some equipment to assist her. "He was the one who led the attack which crippled our weapons. Xenovia and I fought him, but he was so strong. If Lord Dulio hadn't come, I don't know what would have happened."
"I did not see Vasco among the captives, did he…?"
"He escaped," she admitted with a downward gaze. "When Lord Dulio went to engage him is about when the power went down and in the chaos he slipped away. But…"
"But?" Seekvaira could tell Irina was hiding something, but was holding back. "What?"
Irina recalled the scene as the ship was being thrown about by the hits and returning fire, even Dulio having trouble remaining upright. A sudden lurch had knocked her next to Vasco, the enormous former exorcist having the perfect chance to crush her throat. Instead, he'd cradled her, lowering her safely before turning towards the nearest exit.
"There is a captive of our rebellion," he whispered only to her. "He was part of the reason we decided now was the time to strike. I will only say that you may wish to join us if only to see that man."
"That was the last thing he said before he left. He must have gotten out after we crashed or maybe had some means of returning to the Ark."
"Did you tell Dorian?"
"I told him about the attack, but he's so busy. I didn't want to burden him about some mysterious man among the rebellion, and I don't know what to do with this information anyway or who they are even talking about. I thought about mentioning it to Xenovia, she has been very restless since we crashed."
"A captive important enough to give them the boldness to strike against the Church and its allies? He must be a considerable figure; I am surprised we did not hear of such a high-rank kidnapping."
"We came here to explore, but it seems fighting just keeps following us. I can't ask him to go out of his way looking for another battle."
"You don't need to," Dorian entered the room with a somber expression. His footsteps were a bit unsteady and his cheeks flushed, having just departed from his time with Odin. "Sorry, I couldn't help overhear."
"Dorian, I…AAAAAH!" His timing was the worst as that was the exact moment Seekvaira had pushed with all her might to snap the angel's shoulder back into place. Subtly, she shifted so Irina was behind her realizing her shirt was still open. It was clear Dorian was trying not to look, but a glance or two showed that was a difficult endeavor. "What are you doing here?"
"I didn't see you for a while and got worried, we have medical teams who can help."
"Others needed our supplies more," she repeated, her selflessness never ceased to inspire the Einherjar. "I am fine," Dorian looked to Seekvaira to confirm her words.
"Not perfect, but better," she explained while affixing a pad to Irina's shoulder meant to hold it in place until the natural healing would take over. "In a few hours, she should be up to fighting shape again, though I would still insist to take it easy."
"Thank goodness," he sighed. "If anything happened to you two…" He stopped before going forward. "Any luck Seekvaira?"
"None, I am afraid," she stood with her job done as Irina redressed herself, fumbling on the buttons of her Crossroad uniform somewhat. "Old God magic lives up to its name, I cannot find the slightest way to restore power to anything but very small devices," she motioned to her wings which were now perpetually out. "The only way I see to getting the Nagalfr operational again is to cut off the source of this bubble."
"Silver lining," he chuckled in a way that was clearly forced. "Our expedition teams have all the time to explore this place. They're already discovering new minerals we can't even identify just from the first room we've secured."
"I'm not interrupting, am I?" A wide-brimmed hat interrupted the trio with a kind yet somewhat mischievous smile. "I can come back in a few hours."
"Lavinia, that won't be necessary. Thank you for everything you did during the attack."
"I could hardly sit back and do nothing," she beamed back. "The others sent me to find you, we're having a meeting and wanted everyone there. Crossroads included."
"What kind of meeting?"
"Noah's Ark, Val-kun's team found it."
A long-thought dead brother of Grayfia appears in Kuoh as the Grand Expedition finally look beyond their vessel to the underwater city beyond. With their safety temporarily assured, they begin preparations to explore the dark corridors beneath the waves. Until Next time, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews, but most of all Enjoys! :D