OBSERVER01: Precisely, a lot going on at all fronts.
PasiveNox: Yea, Diodora as we know did pretty terrible things to them, the peerage would act pretty zombie-like
FateBurn: Thank you.
Hollowreaper 93: Indeed they do...and LOL, you are the first John Wick reference though he had little to do with the actual Baba Yaga XD
The Chaos Phoenix: The ones referred to by Azazel in canon as the Old ones/Old Gods. Basically they are beings that were around before all modern myths and flex beyond the Dimensional Gap eons ago. They have never been seen yet but have been likened to those of HP Lovecrafts work.
naruto: I most certainly will, lol indeed, seeing Diodora thwarted especially accidentally should put a smile on anyone's face :D
Guest1: Oof, harsh even for him LOL
Guest2: No worry of that ;) Whatever may happen, the fluff between Dorian and Rossweisse will continue with the ups and downs to come with the issues in their lives.
Slayer Cross: It is that crazy part of the series to be sure lol, in 5 volumes they face gods, high-tier devils and the Hero Faction in rapid succession. I agree with your first point...no comment on your second XD, and indeed, Hecuba is perfect for their ranks considering she's fully human. For Volody, I based him off the tale of Baba Yaga, a hideous witch of Russian folklore who helps or torments people based on her whims. In the tale she is incredibly ugly, so the joke is that the men in the family like Volody are absolutely gorgeous lol.
fanficcyberman: That means so much to hear! Thank you so much, I hope to never disappoint.
Vandenbz: Right you are lol, thanks for the catch (4 days of edits and I still miss stuff XD) Correction is made. And yes, Diodora is an especially scumful person. Whatever fate befalls him is well earned...
God of War: LOL If Diodora succeeds in any of his plans with the Valkyries I'll need more than 7 pages to describe what Dorian does to him XD
GunBlade2019: Thank you very much! Not really a boogeyman. Baba Yaga is a Russian folklore of an old witch who will help or hinder those who come across her based on her whims. This one will be based on the myth and has nothing to do with John Wick (Preparing for references aplenty lol). I most certainly will!
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"You're a mage," Dorian correctly asserted, Ratatoskr nodding alongside him menacingly staring at the newcomer.
"Guilty as charged," Volody smiled with a short bow. "Zough I have no further ties with ze Khaos Brigade, Ms. Le Fay zought you could use some help. I regret I vas slower zan ze Hero Faction."
Le Fay? Like King Arthur's Morgan Le Fay? Question for later…
"Hero Faction?"
"Don't talk; let me speak for ve have borrowed time, ve can go over zat later. Zat relic of Katerea's vas more special zan you know. Ze gem was a leftover from ze Old Gods zemselves."
"How do you know so much of them?" Percelos interjected quickly. "Even our archaic wing knows so little."
"Ze Brigade's knowledge has subject matter experts from vhat I hear. Remember they have been vorking togezer longer zan your myths. Your magic von't stop it, that cloud vill grow while absorbing every living thing and scrap of energy in its path. Fortunately it appears it can't go through non-living matter yet or else that room vould not contain it."
"The staff held it back, right?" Irina pointed out. "That gem atop it…"
"Not a real gem miss and I am afraid it vas made of a material zat no longer exists, or if it does ve know not vhere to find more. My spell can delay it, but I am afraid it has more stamina zan I. Vith a god's help I can hold longer," he glanced to Percelos. "But not even your kind can hold it back long; it has a taste for zem too."
"Then we get reinforcement," Dorian stated. "I can use the Roads to…"
Volody grabbed his wrist as if afraid he would open a portal right then and there.
"Don't you dare! Old God magic extends beyond the physical, messes with ze head something fierce. I don't vant to even venture vat would happen if that got into a place where all of creation is literally at its finger tips."
"He brings up a good point," Ratatoskr cupped his chin in his hands in thought. "So we're on our own with no backup, no way out without bringing that thing with us locked in a damned vault!"
The wall of ice reinforced by Volody's ward started straining, the young mage being unable to hold it. As he buckled, Percelos laid a hand on his shoulder, a spark of electricity passing into the heir to Baba Yaga. His eyes glowed violet as power surged, reinforcing the spell and holding the shadow of eldritch power behind the barricade.
"A vault filled with the most dangerous instruments to assail Olympus," the demigod advised, an idea clearly crossing his mind before turning to Dorian. "I must ask a favor of you. It seems my power is needed to aid the mage and I will not abandon my men," he motioned to the four still-breathing guards unconscious nearby. "If containment without energy is what works on this monstrosity, I know of a device stored here that may hold, though entering the room to do so is perilous."
"Perilous for Percelos?" Ratatoskr looked away with an incorrigible grin unable to resist the play on words despite the situation. "I'll keep these two company, got some extra energy to share, no one can say I lack for stamina!"
"What is it?" Dorian asked, Irina nodding alongside him prepared to help.
"An old shield wielded by my ancestor the original Perseus. It has…unique properties which may serve us. Tell me, how much do you know of the Aegis?"
Elsewhere in the Facility…
"What in the gods names…" Hecuba stared in disbelief at the sight before her. Perseus had led her to the vault, as the former head of the Last Spartans she was aware of its existence but never set foot inside. Once there, he'd taken her to the security office and switched on the cameras. She witnessed the battle and release of the strange substance which consumed the hapless Sacred Gear wielders. It was not long before the cameras were encompassed in darkness to give no further hint of the room's contents.
"Now you see," Perseus concluded his explanation calmly. "THAT is what the Old Gods were capable of, the power to consume everything that even devours other gods. The Old Satan Faction discovered it to use for their own ends, it is only a matter of time before our current deities discover such evil and work it for their own power."
"There is no certainty of that."
"It's only a matter of time," he reasserted. "Chaos is coming whether by their own hand or ours."
"You," she finally realized, her hand flying to the hilt of her still-sheathed sword. "You are with the Khaos Brigade!"
"In a way, though my faction is one of heroes, humans like you and I Hecuba. Our kind are so weak against the supernatural, how many thousands of years did it rule our fates? All we desire is to protect humanity from those who have power over us, as heroes should. I remember your drive, join us. You are as human as I with the strength to do so much as the heir to Hector himself. Help us create a world most suited to our people, prove we do not need gods and devils to thrive."
First Heracles, now Perseus. Are there no descendants of our honored ancestors who do not seek to undo the feats of their ancestors? Has this modern world disgusted them so?
"I…" the Spartan woman gritted her teeth to emphasize the determination of her answer. "Would NEVER join you, Olympus may not be perfect, no realm of gods or men are, but that does not justify its destruction. I will have to…"
"What? Draw your sword?" He motioned towards Monster's Bane. "I was under the impression that was intended for monsters, not men."
"What were your plans?" Hecuba asked after a moment of hesitation, she still had not yet drawn her weapon.
"I will not lie; we were solely for the staff, no aspirations of conquest. The release of that…thing was never our intentions."
"Yet it cost the lives of two of your comrades and several of Olympus' own." Perseus' fists noticeably clenched in frustration though his face never betrayed his mind. Despite this, Hecuba saw the clear signs of a single emotion…regret.
"No one was supposed to die, even those guards they were supposed to incapacitate. My Lord must have ordered…"
"There's no time! They need help," Hecuba released the hilt, taking off down the hallway. She had spotted the newcomer Volody in the monitors save the others and she felt useless where she was standing. Perseus was a threat, but for the moment helping Dorian took priority. "You are not worth the delay."
"What are you doing?" Perseus' calm broke for a moment as she fled. "You can't help the others; all you'll succeed in doing is joining them in death with possibly the rest of Olympus. Come with me and we can…"
"I will NOT run from this," she shouted back as she raced down the hall. "Do what you wish, but I will act as our forbearers did to earn the title of heroes. Your own faction seems poorly named."
Perseus didn't get another word in before she was gone, leaving him there at the security checkpoint fumbling for his words.
"Hecuba will join us," he remembered the words of his Lord clearly. "Whether by her own will or not."
With a heavy heart, Perseus removed a dark cowl from his armor. It was a relic the Hero Faction had plundered ages ago, the memory of it being used on the Green and Blue Staring users still fresh in his mind.
They never wanted to be here, Lord Cao Cao…how can your ideals be so true yet your methods so questionable? I never once doubted what we are to accomplish, yet the path to it seems to take us further and further from our namesakes. Using this on those two, and now on her? I can just leave, what would happen then?
Do as your lord commanded.
Perseus jumped, drawing his sword at last as he swung about at the darkness but was met with only that…darkness.
"The hells?" He muttered while glancing in every direction. He was clearly alone yet it did not feel that way. An itch was now clawing at the back of his mind, one that was slowly eroding his hesitation, making the prospect of using Dolos' cowl to subjugate Hecuba to the Hero Faction all the more appealing.
Train to Hell…
The train plummeted, spinning as it fell towards the ground hundreds of feet below. The track transporting the Astaroth heir to the gathering had been suspended high in the air so as to remain out of notice and not interfere with other air traffic. Rossweisse and Thrud were still holding on within the protective barrier seeking ways to protect the occupants though their options were quickly dwindling.
Not what I had planned but it will do, the young devil mused with a far-more sinister grin than he had shown his guests. That imbecile may have failed, but this will do nicely. Those two will be dutiful little Valkyries trying to save myself and my 'poor' peerage. I can teleport before impact and once they're dead it will be my solemn duty to reward them for their service. They will make excellent additions to my peerage; I can replace any of the girls easily enough though it will be simpler if a few die in the fall as well. Broken in wills first, I can work on their bodies next…
Diodora's plans were already forming on techniques and machinations to attempt once they were resurrected as devils. His plan to cause their death in battle weakened by his wine may have failed, but he was nothing if not patient.
"Just imagine how impressed the other houses will be Rosalina," he remarked to his Queen holding onto the desk beside him, powers shielding her from the brunt of the fall. "If even one of them becomes a devil I will have quite the entrance to this little gathering."
"Of course Lord Diodora," she remarked obediently while recalling how he had shown her off shortly after becoming his Queen, the first of his peerage. Once a Saint of the Church later cast aside by her very people, she had been a trophy attesting to his selection in peerage bringing a former enemy into his ranks. Over time, as all things did, she became less and less impressive until the others stopped paying attention to her. Diodora followed suit, leaving her just another member of his peerage as he glanced towards his next prospect…the Argento girl, and now the Valkyries.
The ground was nearing, Rossweisse still trying to strengthen their barrier, unaware the women inside were subtly weakening it to prevent it being strong enough to protect them upon impact. The car would hit within a matter of moments.
"Soon," he smirked while maintaining his composure despite the plummet downward. "And there is no one who can save them…"
With a timing that would have made God himself laugh if he yet lived, a teleportation circle emerged in the table before the Astaroth heir. He fell back in surprise, nearly tumbling out of the protective field except for Rosalina's quick thinking. They both recognized the singed light-blue cloak emerging all too well.
"Much better without Mr. Hot Pants interfering." Bennia smirked, having missed Diodora's scowl as his façade reconstituted itself. "Did someone need a lift?"
Aegis Room…
"This is the place," Irina announced, noting the unique design of the door. It was small, barely large enough for a single person to enter at once with coiling serpents overtop to the floor almost depicting them escaping.
The pair had followed instructions to the room housing the Aegis, ancient shield of the gods used in ages past. Percelos had been certain it could help against the encroaching darkness, yet stressed the importance of the instructions imparted to them, the first which being only one should enter at a time. Dorian hated having to leave Rat and the two men alone to fend it off though left a parting flame of Hestia to keep their stamina up as long as possible.
"I'll go first," Dorian jumped ahead before Irina could volunteer. "Give me fifteen minutes, if I don't come out then you can go next."
"I should do it first," Irina insisted as her face scrunched in frustration. "You are the head of the Crossroads and if it is as dangerous as he claims…"
"Then I would doubly not want my oldest friend to go first."
Second oldest technically, Iggy interjected, reminding him she had been around since his birth though he had only recently become aware of it.
"I don't want you hurt, no one else," Dorian felt a pinch of guilt remembering the battle at Olympus. "Blame Asgard if you want, Norse leaders are expected to be more hands-on."
"Very well," Irina huffed after failing to counter his request, her face flushing at his concern. "Turn around."
As Percelos had warned them, the Einherjar donned a thick blindfold blocking out all light and vision whatsoever. With an expert knot, Irina pulled it so tight he feared she would cut off circulation, but the precaution was necessary.
"Good luck," she whispered as he pulled open the heavy door, disappearing inside as it swung behind him with a clang.
"Ten toe-to heel steps forward," Dorian whispered to himself, recalling exactly how they were instructed in haste. It helped to have Iggy in his head as he feared getting something wrong yet she checked his memory at every step of the way.
It was unsettling as soon as the door closed. The room unnaturally chilly despite the humidity-soaked corridors leading to it, with the blindfold obscuring his vision he focused on his hearing and smell more acutely. His nose picked up the hint of moisture which would have been refreshing were it not for the odd stench amplified by it. He could not place it, but the aroma was musky, reminding him of rotting meat. It was all he could do to hold back gagging. Sound was another matter, the moment he was sealed inside there was not a single utterance, no insects or wind with his own breath hardly disturbing the silence. It made him uneasy, but what unnerved him more was what followed.
"Oh my, it has been soooo long since a man came to visit. Yet you shield your eyes, am I so hideous to you? That is quite insulting to a lady's honor."
The voice come from ahead was gentle and melodious yet sultry invoking a lustful tone. All the same, Dorian felt a shiver pass through him at how calm it sounded…calm and calculating.
Do not trust the voice, Iggy repeated Percelos' words. In both its promises and where it seems to be coming from, follow his directions only.
"It is rude to interfere in the personal matters of the sexes," the voice snapped suddenly. "If you wish your time with him you must wait your turn."
"You can hear her?" Dorian's curiosity got the better of him at her reply to Iggy's words though they echoed only in his mind as always.
"She hides herself poorly," the voice chuckled. "I am surprised others haven't seen her yet, but this is between us. Take off the blindfold, spend the evening with me."
"I think not," Dorian tried to control his breathing; already well-aware of whom he spoke with. "I was raised to get to know a woman first before partaking of such an encounter."
"A traditionalist? How boring, yet I know you quite well…Dorian." Her use of his name clearly meant as an intimidation tactic.
"We seem to be on an even footing in that case, Medusa."
Medusa, born on the island of Sarpedon, daughter of the Gorgon known throughout the world as the creature with a mane of snakes turning all who looked upon her to stone. Beheaded by the original Perseus, her head had been brought back to Olympus and placed upon the Aegis, shield of Athena as a weapon to petrify their enemies. Over time, like Zeus' original thunderbolt, it had been sealed away for fear of misuse. A detail left out by public knowledge, however, was the fact that a descendant of Echidna is not so easily slain, the beheading being insufficient to end her life and thus she sat upon the Aegis for years beyond count still very much alive.
"Such a clever lad, I adore that in a man. Do not heed the words of Percelos, he visits quite often and beheld my beauty many times more. No doubt he sought to hide me from your gaze so I would have eyes only for him. You are quite fetching, take off the blindfold and we may converse."
20 degree turn right, eight steps forward, Dorian repeated in his head, almost halfway through the steps required to reach the shield unharmed. If what he was told held true, once he could claim the shield they could turn its power on the Old God corruption, hoping the petrification could stop it in its tracks.
"My beauty is not all," she continued upon realizing her charms were being ignored. "The mightiest weapons of this vault pale in comparison to those that existed in the ancient times. I will even forgive your friend slaying Grammy Echidna." She paused as if a realization hit her. "Oh, but that won't do will it? You turned down as much when offered by Zeus himself."
How does she…?
"Foresight little sapling, the Fates aren't the only ones to inherit that trait though it did me little good against that mortal Perseus. It tends to miss the fine details like a strong gale overlooking the tree growing too low to notice."
Dorian spun, stumbling as at those words he felt a breath on the back of his neck. Impossible, Percelos said she could not move, was it a trick? Regardless, the Einherjar fell, nearly losing his bearings as he failed to notice the blindfold loosen.
Focus on me Dorian, Iggy seemed to appear in Dorian's mind, cupping his cheeks in her hands and pressing her forehead against his own tenderly. She seeks to confuse you, cause you to be lost in this maze of her tricks. She cannot deceive us both; I am with you…always.
"I would never deceive," Medusa sighed, clearly not a fan of their touching reinforcement of trust. "Beauty you would have if you removed your blindfold and none are a greater weapon than I, but you seem more of the scholarly type. Perhaps you wish to know of the cursed number which hunts you in the land of dreams."
"Cursed number?" The phrase once uttered by Despoina as they walked through the archaic wing of Olympus' Library caught in his mind though such a small detail should have been beyond his recollection. He barely realized that the entrancing voice sounded much closer now.
Good memory…
Dorian, don't listen!
"Silence! You do not get to speak, hiding from the world out of fear; does he not deserve to know the doom of all? For I have seen it nearly as clearly as he has, the difference is I am not afraid to face it. Well boy, what do you say? The number, the beast, the fate that awaits you…simply remove the blindfold and I shall reveal all. Perhaps even the fate of your beloved Valkyrie."
"Rossweisse?" Dorian ignored the warnings of Iggy who continued to try and dissuade him from continuing the conversation.
"Assume what you will, I never did say her name."
Dorian's hand reached out, feeling a smooth metal surface before him as he reached the end of Percelos' directions. Moving it over, he felt a rigid, serpentine shape meld into others. To the widening grin across Medusa's face that he could not see, the Crossroad's Leader reached back, untying the blindfold.
"Excellent," she hissed as the cloth started to fall. "Now look upon my glory and I shall reveal all before….hey…HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Dorian extended the cloth while keeping his eyes closed; wrapping it securely around the eyes of Medusa's severed head mounted expertly upon the shield. In a flash, his eyes were revealed as hers were hidden from sight. The monster of a bygone age could not see and had long ago lost the ability to move all save her lips.
Cursed knowledge, he thought, thanking the many bible studies of Irina for seeing him through it, particularly that of Genesis. I could know it all, but at what price? If I fail here Irina has to come in next, I won't risk that…the others need us.
"There," Dorian sighed as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the chamber. "I am looking upon your beauty. Any information you have…"
"CURSE YOU EINHERJAR!" She roared as Dorian unlatched the shield from the wall. It had been placed in such a way to prevent theft without the most precise of instructions. It was only then Dorian realized the instructions provided by the demigod had weaved him around a multitude of statues dotting the chamber ranging from guards to nobles, even a siren and minotaur or two. How many had she tricked into attempting theft for her freedom? "YOUR FATE IS SEALED, YOUR VALKYRIES SHALL FALL, IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO…"
Dorian slipped his arm into the shield sleeve, activating the ancient magic and silencing Medusa, rendering her inert for the trip back.
I am sorry Dorian, Iggy comforted, sensing his frustration. She would never have told us anything even if what she says is true. Are you alright?
"I am…fine," he replied after a moment of silence questioning his honesty. "Let's return to the others and pray this works, then we can head back as soon as possible to see if her words hold any truth."
Outside the room…
"Come on Dorian," Irina checked her watch, growing more concerned as the minutes ticked away. The door must have been sound-proof as she had heard absolutely nothing since it closed. Pacing back and forth, she checked the time again seeming to slow down each time she did so. "Another five minutes, after that I'm…"
"Irina…"
The new angel spun at the whisper barely audible even in the silence of the hall. The sound directed her towards the far end, a dark silhouette approaching until she could clearly make it out.
"Dorian!" A smile exploded onto her lips as she raced forward, embracing him tightly. "I was so worried, where is the shield? Was there a backway out or…?"
"S-so you don't wuv me anymore?"
The sniffling words caused Irina to look around Dorian's shoulder; spotting a small child shuffling from the same direct Dorian had just come from. He was quite small, no older than five or six, light brown hair almost spiked back and matching eyes looking up at her streaming with tears. Her heart jumped in her chest, she remembered those eyes anywhere but it was impossible, he didn't look like that anymore, he wasn't that boy anymore.
"Of course I love you Issei," she found herself uttering as if there was nothing odd about the situation at all, barely noticing Dorian's embrace had not only continued, but tightened. "As a cherished friend, but you aren't that boy anymore, people change…you changed."
"I see, so you don't like the new me?" Irina gasped upon realizing she was no longer embracing Dorian, but an older Issei, that flare in his eyes he had when discussing women's attributes burning bright. He had taken ahold of both her breasts, squeezing at regular intervals with a look of glee. "Do you even remember that first kiss of mine you stole while I was asleep?"
Is this Issei now? She asked herself, unable to move as a heavy weight seemed to have seized her limbs. Issei's hands shifted to her neck, squeezing tighter than ever before.
In a flash, she pictured his attempt to dress break her at their reunion stopped only by Dorian's intervention. Even in her short time since returning he had made numerous proclamations of wanting a harem, many wives to have the largest in the world. And yet, as the evidence of his horrible nature piled up her mind ever sought out the light. His defense of Rias and the others at the peace summit, the kindness showed to Asia during her transition to devil and giving her a home when the old had cast her out. Her mind began to break through the fog, the weights lifting from her limbs if only a little.
This…thing isn't Issei, his interests may be terrible now, but he is still a good person at his core…he is still my friend! Beyond that I have a duty to Heaven, the Crossroads, I cannot let Dorian down!"
Now light as a feather, Irina twisted Excalibur about, ramming it hard into the gut of the shadow-Issei, eliciting a look of pure shock on its face. The dark presence permeating the air could not believe she was strong enough to break even its weak grip on her mind. With Excalibur still lodged in its gut, the shape posing as Issei backed up as the child-form faded away, tilting its head unnaturally far.
"You'll need more than that to…"
"Get the Hel away from her!"
A flash of Alfheim's light exploded into the air, dispersing the shape like an unwanted shadow and allowing Excalibur to clatter to the ground. Dorian rushed to the weakened Angel's side as she gasped for air, coughing powerfully to clear her throat.
"Irina! Are you alright!?"
"I…am," she gasped, smiling as best she could to try and assure him. "What was that?"
Did Volody not say the presence of the Old Ones interferes with the mind? I fear they are holding its physical presence back, but the mental is bleeding out unhindered by our wards.
"Iggy is right," Dorian pulled Irina gently to her feet while hefting the Aegis shield onto his back. "I'll explain as we go, suffice to say we HAVE to stop this thing immediately before its…presence escapes the facility."
Asgard…
"I do not agree."
"I am well aware Loki," Odin retorted as he looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his robe despite being a wasted gesture. His blood-brother knew him well enough that regardless of how long he worked on it, he would choose his original appearance…he always did. "Nevertheless, this gathering is a celebrated event among devils, choosing who among their young will shine brighter than the rest. Why, they may even attend our celebration of Yggdrasil's…"
"It does not matter how many of one another's customs the other attends," Loki interrupted in a way he would only ever dare do when alone with Odin. "Why must we drag our people through the mud by catering to others?"
"YOU will not be doing anything," Odin clarified. "Only Freyja and I will be going, you can stay here with the others who think the same and express your lack of agreement through inaction as always. She is quite excited to see how Dorian and Rossweisse have grown. If enough, perhaps we can explain the reason for my decision. I swear if that boy hasn't AT LEAST gotten her to show him her license, registration or blessed posterior yet I will…"
"So your little fatherly raising of that aberration takes precedence over my counsel?"
He paused, the Allfather turning around, though he maintained the aloof, carefree grin he always had, the air between them had become noticeably heavier. In an instant the air of dread abated as Odin let out a chuckling laugh.
"You may have become known as our God of Mischief, but you know full well I take ALL counsel into consideration…it's part of my title after all. Watching that young punk venture into new territory is just an added bonus. Do you not remember how large Asgard was only half a millennia ago?"
"Of course," Loki crossed his arms, prideful of the grandeur Asgard used to be in its heyday. Legions of Valkyries, Einherjar pouring in daily as well as a force to make any other myth quake. Now it seemed their Valkyries came in far fewer numbers, an impressive army yet a shadow of what it had been and it irked him to no end that Dorian and the Church girl Xenovia had been the last Einherjar born. "Such were better times."
"Times that won't come again and those that think they will are lying worse than push-up bras. Midgard moved on past us and if we wish to flourish in this new age we must adapt. The devils had the right idea with those evil pieces of theirs but that is only a single step. My beloved learned that long before I, our own expansion and this Crossroads were too long in coming."
"Would it not be better for the world to adapt to us?" Loki was subtly fuming. " Spread OUR ideals over the others."
"I thought that level of arrogance was cliché among other Jotuns. That humble nature you had when wandering into Asgard all those millennia ago was what inspired me to make you my blood-brother."
Loki remembered those days, back when he was a Jotun from the frozen mountains. Having mastered magics beyond anything his kind had seen, he'd made the perilous trek across the realms to Asgard. It was there that, despite many other gods voicing against it, Odin Allfather himself had elevated him to Aesir status at the final years of the war against the Vanir. The God of Mischief's skin faded a cold blue for a moment before reverting to the visage he had maintained unbroken for so long.
What happened to that Allfather? Surely he must have died in the war for this is not he…it hasn't been him in so long.
"Good husband, I believe I am ready and pray you are as well."
The Allmother Freyja glided through the door wearing an extravagant robe that resembled Odin's though fashioned to exemplify her femininity. The fabric clung to her frame radiating with multiple colors with the patterns of feathers matching the cloak she wore in battle. Wide sleeves covered her arms save for a cut-out at the shoulders revealing them. Her long skirt gave off an air of modesty which contrasted the low-cut of her top which she knew her husband would appreciate; his glance was all the confirmation of that she required.
"We shall speak no more of this until I return," Odin concluded their discussion with a spin as he wiped a touch of blood from his nose. "I want to spend a few days and nights out with my lovely wife, shake a few hands, break a few beds and when I get back we can have our little disagreement anew. Fear not, I shall not put your name on anything."
"As you wish…Allfather."
"Freki, Geri!" Odin called with a sharp whistle. "Come!"
Seemingly out of nowhere, a pair of giant wolves each nearly the size of the Allfather himself emerged from the shadows. These were Freki and Geri, Odin's wolves, loyal companions and bodyguards all rolled into one. Wherever he went, they were not far and with departing for such far-off lands, Odin was sure to take no chances especially with his Frigga accompanying him. The royal couple departed hand-in hand, a familiar pair of ravens flying overhead to leave the frustrated Loki behind.
That is not the man who elevated me, peace and pursuit of his interests has left him a shell of his former self. This one is a complete stranger…so I should have no qualms of moving ahead and setting Ragnarok into motion.
At the Door…
Dorian's face was running with sweat as they returned to the hall where they had left Volody, Percelos and Rat. He had sprinted nearly the entire way and was panting heavily; nonetheless he did not stop even when spotting the three. It was clear they had been forced to retreat; nearly the entire hall was consumed in darkness. The three had made a slow, methodical withdrawal to conserve energy, pulling back the ice wall and wards little by little for breathing space that was nearly gone. Percelos was slumped against the wall, his godly lightning barely crackling as Volody was bent forward like a hunchback upon a knee. Only Ratatoskr remained standing though appeared smaller than when they left.
"Come on, keep it going," he slapped Volody in the face with his tail though it clearly had no strength behind it from exhaustion. "Is that all you got? I pity your future wife if it is! BOSS!"
"Are they alright?" Irina asked while checking their vitals.
"They'll live," Rat sighed with a shake of his head. "But not looking good, they started talking to themselves before they grew too tired to even stay awake. I hope you got the thing."
Dorian unveiled the shield, ensuring the eyes were still covered. Despite her silence, Medusa's snake-hairs thrashed and slithered across the surface. Even Ratatoskr grimaced at the sight.
"If even her mother could love that…I'll be impressed."
"Stand back," Dorian announced commandingly, hiding the scratching in the back of his head of uncertainty that they still had no idea if this plan would work. Ensuring the others were behind him, he tilted the impressive golden shield towards the wall. Their crumbling barrier looked pitiful from when he left. Volody's web-like strands were thinner than twine and the ice was cracked across the entirety of the surface. "Let's see what this thing can do." With a final flourish, he tore the cloth from Medusa's eyes and waited.
The wall cracked further, wisps of black smoke punching through, nothing was happening.
"Does this thing have an on switch?" Even Ratatoskr's calm was breaking along with the ice. His status as an extraplanar being would not protect him from what was coming.
"I don't know," Dorian shook the shield with growing concern. Nothing was working, in a moment of desperation he glanced around the front sheepishly, heart dropping as he realized the problem.
Medusa had her eyes squeezed tightly shut. When it became apparent they were not opening, the Einherjar loosened the wards preventing her speech.
"What are you doing?"
"I do not serve you," she hissed. "You are no god, you cannot command my will and I think my imprisonment in this place is nigh time to end."
"That thing will consume you too!" Dorian bashed the shield into the nearby wall with no effect, the daughter of Gorgon kept her eyes closed.
"So long as you all go with me, it will be worth it!"
With a grunt of frustration, Dorian cast the useless shield aside face down. Using all the skills he had at his disposal, he reinforced the wall once more while layering seal after seal of defense hoping to stem the tide for a new plan. It was in that moment he realized how Volody and a demigod like Percelos had succumbed so quickly…the echo of the Old Gods was growing stronger every second. His efforts were in vain as the wall exploded, releasing the substance's full fury upon them.
DORIAN!
The first tendrils to reach him dispersed before they could reach, disintegrating to dust as a familiar black blade sliced through them.
"Hecuba!"
The Spartan had arrived in the nick of time, Monster's Bane giving the black miasma pause no doubt due to the inclusion of Echidna's bones predating humanity. She slashed again and again, weaving to remain out of their reach for as each outreach was destroyed another swiftly took its place.
"We are all that can stop it!" She called out, her face focused and determined with pride. "Was it not for purposes such as this the Crossroads were started…to defend one myth from the machinations of another?"
We're not down yet.
"RIDER'S REGALIA!"
Dorian's Balance Breaker emerged instantly, having learned how to summon it much faster than in the past. Taking a step forward, he held out his arms, revealing all five gems.
Iggy, are the gems mutually exclusive or can they each tap into an individual power simultaneously?
I-I don't know, I've never thought about that usage of them…
Now is as good a time as any in that case.
Rather than each gem transforming to a different power, all five lit up a golden white, the light of Alfheim exploding forth like a nova. As it had done with Irina's shadow, all that touched it was reduced to nothing. The black smoke slammed into it, pressing back and molding around the shape of the bubble ravenously seeking a way in.
Irina was by their side, angelic wings unfurled to their full length adding to the power with that of Heaven's though it seemed to matter little. Even with all their effort, the combined magics could not push back, the staff still safely secure behind the wall of death. Slowly yet surely they were losing ground.
"There has to be…something we can do!"
"There is, take this back."
Dorian turned, the Aegis shield thrust into his arms though the eyes remained sealed. Perseus emerged from nowhere staring down the Einherjar, face looking flat and serious, eyes locked onto his. In the Hero Faction agent's quivering right hand was a cowl Dorian did not recognize. He'd never know the conflict racing through the heroic descendant's head. He reached out with the ancient relic, changing his mind at the last moment and slapping it over Medusa's face.
"Command her!" He shouted before taking a step back, having remembered in that moment the qualities of a hero, ignoring the voices to do otherwise assailing his mind.
Dorian only hesitated a moment before turning, letting out a stern cry directed to the woman whose visage rested on the polished surface.
"OPEN YOUR EYES NOW!"
The mask that had been used to brainwash the more uncooperative yet desired members of the Hero Faction took effect. On normal humans, protracted use was required to ingrain the manipulation such as had been used on the Blue and Green Staring users, warping their ideals to be in line with the Khaos Brigade Division's. For Medusa, however, only a single command was required. Overriding the self-serving wishes of its wearer, it forced her to obey the command given. With a painful shriek of anger and resistance, the gorgon gave in, directing her gaze forward upon the spreading corruption.
The effect was incredible as it was instant, with a flash the substance threatening to shatter their defenses stopped. Grey stone covered its entire surface spreading outward like a wave following its path all the way back to the initial source…the staff still floating within the original chamber now suspended by the petrified smoke. An utter silence had settled over the team, each of them panting with exhaustion on the ground broken only by a certain furry companion.
"Take that ya smoky bastard! See a doctor if it lasts longer than four hours...!"
As if in response to the final insult, a loud crack signaled an end to their relief. The seemingly unstoppable substance broke out, being immediately turned to stone once more after reaching several more inches. So started the cascade of freedom, advance and further petrification, even Medusa's ancient magic merely slowed the remnant of what came before.
"Fall back," Hecuba called out as their last plan had collapsed. Turning, she realized Perseus had already disappeared though Irina, a groggy Percelos and Volody dragging the other men obeyed her command with Dorian slowly backing up keeping the shield trained on their enemy.
It's breaking out faster each time; we'll never reach the elevator before it overtakes us to say nothing of it being released upon Olympus and who knows where else. The moment I lower this shield that thing will consume the hall. Dorian scrambled in his mind, the only recourse remaining to him taking shape.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, turning Laerad Ragnarok towards his friends and allies who were near the end of the hall. In a flash, a blue portal appeared beneath their feet, causing them to fall within.
"Dorian!" Hecuba cried out.
"DON'T YOU D-" Were Irina's last words before she disappeared within the Roads along with the others. Ratatoskr tried in vain to hold on only to lose his grip as the Einherjar sealed it immediately unwilling to risk the chance of even a mote of the creature making it inside.
"I'm sorry to you too Iggy…"
Please don't say that Dorian, you protected your friends. That quality is what I...admire most about you. My mother can open a portal to get them home, perhaps warn others about this creature.
The cornered man was running out of space and the cloud was barely affected by the petrification anymore. It was only a matter of time before it would overwhelm him shield and all. With a sigh of defeat, biting back tears, Dorian reached a free hand into his pocket to pull out the lorgnette tied to Skilja still flying around the skies of Olympus. With a click of the device it started recording.
"Skilja, if you can make it out to the others I want you to give a message. Please…tell Rose I…"
"FINE," a voice called out from the darkness. "If you're going to make me clean up after myself…"
The hesitation cost Dorian his window, the mass rocketing towards him, suddenly stopping as he could almost feel its presence upon him. Barely a few inches from his face, a spike of the black miasma suddenly froze before pulling back to the room. Like a vacuum cleaner put in reverse, the void-like smoke was sucked backwards, disappearing within the now-pristine gem atop the staff…resting in delicate pale hands.
The confused Einherjar blinked again and again as he was not certain at first. Was it hands holding the staff or another amalgamation of smoke and energy like the substance itself? One moment it seemed to be nothing more than an indescribable mass with glowing golden orbs, however as he blinked and focused it became something else. A girl, a shape he recognized from the bottom of his soul. It was the girl he had saved from the fire costing his life, the silhouette he glimpsed in Norway, Kokabiel's base…and given him the words to escape Hel's mists in Asgard during Modi's duel. That very girl now stared right at him with her gold eyes wearing the very uniform of the Crossroads with a long black skirt.
"I don't know why they all matter so much, but if you are intent on letting yourself die I suppose I must step in," she replied, her voice echoing more in his mind than his ears. It sounded on the surface like a gentle young woman, yet like an aftertaste not matching your initial judgement, left a feeling of nostalgia and dread within Dorian's soul. "I can't imagine how this old toy is so troublesome to you."
"Who…are you?" He stammered the words, staggering to his feet. The girl did not answer, only seeming to stare past him as she spoke.
"Well Ashen daughter, would you like a taste of this essence?" She raised a hand as if to a stray dog testing to see how it reacts. "Just kidding," the entity portraying a girl pulled back with an echoing chuckle.
She was there Dorian, when Odin and Freyja found you.
"Do watch yourself around other people's things Dorian Held," she warned, tapping the now seemingly-harmless staff a few times as if for good measure. "Though that doesn't mean you need to be so…safe. Oh, and see you in class," she winked before disappearing into the shadows of the walls themselves. It was as if both she and the staff had never been there at all.
The young man was confused beyond words now standing within the chamber completely alone. He didn't know what to say, think or do, it had all happened so fast going from certain death to unexpected salvation at the hands of one whom he had saved long ago.
What is she? His mind raced back to the day his new life had begun. Did she even need saving back then? How did she control the staff so well, where did she go, where…?
"Shit," he cursed, realizing he didn't have time to waste, the words of Medusa returning to him. With a twist of his hand he summoned the portal to the roads. "We need to hurry, I can…"
Before he could say another word, a familiar orange-haired angel leapt from the opening, tackling the unprepared Einherjar to the ground. Tears were streaming from Irina's eyes puffy and red, with clearly frustrated movements she swung, punching him in the chest again and again. The others were not far behind as Hecuba emerged with Rat atop her shoulder alongside a refreshed Volody and Percelos. Even the four guardsman seemed to have recovered somewhat.
"You….jerk!" Irina hit him again. "You could have died! How could you just send us away like that!"
"I shall await my turn," Hecuba threatened while crossing her arms. They had witnessed the entire encounter from the Roads thanks to Yggdrasil's vision. "All that time you made us worry, fear the worst, that you had died while saving us."
"I got a few acorns with your balls name's on em!" Ratatoskr juggled a single projectile menacingly.
That's right; it was only about five minutes to me. That would have been nearly two hours in the Roads.
"He did his duty as a leader," Percelos stepped up ready to defend. "He merely…"
A gnarled staff blocked his path, their new ally from the clan of Baba Yaga shaking his head towards the demigod.
"Zis is not a conflict you vish to step between," he warned. "Let zem vent, I'd say it is vell earned. I vill speak with you on these matters as that wee girl scared me to my core."
"I couldn't let you die," Dorian admitted as Irina's attacks wound down along with her tears slowly drying. Having been so certain of his death coupled with the return of the girl had brought the memories back, allowing him to speak from the heart. "Odin and Freyja were there for me, if I can…I'll be there for all of you."
Irina's cheeks flushed red, Hecuba covering her face to prevent a similar sight from being revealed. Their incorrigible ally just shook his head with pride.
"Such a way with words kid, too bad it all goes to waste with the fairer sex..."
Not Far…
The facility had been secured, reinforcements poured inside to ensure nothing escaped. In the confusion and influx of soldiers, no one noticed a lone Spartan slip out wearing armor that didn't quite fit him.
These deaths are on me, Perseus sighed as he kept his calm. He had an escape path long in the making and would be on his way to freedom soon enough. It seemed such a waste, poisoning Hecuba's cousin just enough so he would be put in charge, letting the Blue and Green Staring users inside under the oath of no kills…only for them both to break their words and be slain themselves. That damned cowl, why they wanted to force loyalty I'll never know, at least it was left behind…no more Hero Faction recruits that way, though I am sure my Lord will not be pleased. Your goal is wise, but your methods leave much to be desired. With any luck…this will buy my retirement from the Brigade.
Perseus reached into his pocket, hand clasping around a hard spherical cloth to ensure it was there. With a final clench of security, he withdrew his fingers focused on escaping to find a calm place he could ride out the future away from the politics that had tarnished his name and that of so many heroes.
The Aegis Room…
"Back where you belong," Percelos muttered, placing the Aegis back on the pedestal Dorian had taken it from. "At least you aren't going anywhere."
The demigod overseer of the Last Spartans relaxed though the sting of failure remained. Perseus had been revealed as a member of the Khaos Brigade and escaped, the staff missing, taken by this strange girl Dorian described seeing. He would need to await additional information as the commander of the Crossroads departed as soon as his strength was back swearing to send an official report at a later date. It seemed only Volody, the former member of the traitorous mages, had remained to explain all. They treated him with reserved kindness for though a traitor, he had given no current reason for distrust. Volody did seem disheartened at not being allowed to accompany the Einherjar, holding a great interest in conversation. The returning descendants of the gods were being watched closely, if any more were secret traitors, they would be discovered soon.
"And of course this foul device," Percelos concluded, tearing the cowl covering Medusa's face as he turned, blindfold now affixed to prevent her curse from afflicting him though it did nothing to block out the shriek that emerged once her will was free.
"DAMN HIM!" Medusa roared. "DAMN HIM! EVEN TARTAROS WOULD BE TOO GOOD A FATE FOR THAT BRAT!"
"Dorian Held's resistance to your charms still irks you I imagine?" Percelos could not help but enjoy the gorgon's annoyance, remembering how many weak-willed men of their own troops had succumbed to her wiles. "Try to lose with some grace."
"NOT THAT DOOMED INSECT, YOUR KIN, THAT PERSEUS!" FIRST HIS ANCESTOR CUTS OFF MY HEAD, NOW THIS NEW ONE PLUCKS OUT ONE OF MY EYES!"
Percelos dared not turn, but the proclamation made his heart plummet as he could sense the truth to her words, rare though they may come. It seemed that for the brief amount of time the Aegis was in his possession, Perseus had made off with one item from Olympus' halls.
Among the Roads…
"Dorian, exhausting yourself won't help, slow down!"
Dorian did not comply with her request as he raced along the boughs of Yggdrasil not even having time to take on the inescapable beauty of that place. He had spent an entire month there not so long ago training to fight Modi and during that entire time had never gotten used to the wonder. But now he was focused on another task, the veiled whispers of Medusa putting that fear into his heart.
Be safe, be safe, please be safe! Skilja soared overhead, having received confirmation from Herja that Rossweisse, Bennia and Thrud had taken a contract escorting a high-ranking devil to the gathering with no word since their departure. Iggy, is this the right place?
I agree with Hecuba Dorian, but yes this is the location, Rossweisse is assuredly on the other side though I know not her condition.
Dorian nodded internally, opening the portal as he dove out to a scene of carnage and mangled steel. What had once clearly been the front of a train car was lying before him smashed into unrecognizability. It must have happened within the last few minutes, the flames and smoke still burning high.
"THRUD! BENNIA…ROSE!" Dorian screamed as he tore through the rubble, golden strength of Asgard shining bright. It was hard to tell where the train car started and ended from the ground it had crashed into. What had happened?
Metal bent as Dorian dug deeper, casting each slab of rubble and debris aside as he failed to find anyone. His hands burned, his bare left hand bleeding and making the metal slippery, he ignored it to keep looking.
"Dorian," Irina stepped up behind him. "Your hands."
"Try the other side," he uttered without looking at her. "The car wasn't that big, we can find SOMETHING."
"Dorian…"
"Just keep looking, we'll find them if we have to spend the next…"
"Do you require assistance?"
The unmistakable voice caused the man to pause in his frantic search, spinning as his face went from twisted concern to relieved joy. Rossweisse was approaching, her armor scuffed and burned, hair tussled and messy but it did not matter. She was safe, clearly well and looking at Dorian with a sparkle in her eyes tarnished only with concern at seeing his now-bloody and scorched hands.
"Bennia…and Thrud?" He asked, his voice full of barely-restrained jubilation as he had to know the fate of the others.
"Alive and kicking," Thrud replied herself as a barrier of invisibility fell, revealing the pair along with fifteen women he did not recognize and a green-haired man matching the description of the heir to the current Beelzebub's former family, the Astaroths. He was so overjoyed he missed the slight twitch of the young devil's left eyebrow; Dorian had no reason to hold back any longer. With a quick hop, he launched himself into Rossweisse's confused arms.
"D-Dorian, we are not alone…"
"Medusa was wrong," he whispered while gripping her armor, heedless of the blood. "I was so scared, thought you all might be…"
"We were up to the task, though it is a looooong story." Bennia assured him, replying in Rossweisse's stead as she could almost see steam erupting from her frying brain. "Our benefit package covers new clothes right?" She spun to show off her frayed cloak and robes barely covering her modesty from the battle and catching up with the falling train. Thrud only stepped to the side, taking in the touching moment before her, the smile gracing her lips not as wide as it should have been.
"Ahem," the young devil in the back loudly cleared his throat while stepping forward. "I presume YOU are the head of the Crossroads?"
Dorian did not answer at first, recomposing himself as he released the embrace, his gauntleted hand remaining locked with the silver-haired Valkyrie's.
"I am, Dorian Held at your service. I would offer a handshake, however under the circumstances…"
Diodora's nose turned up at the still-dripping blood of his left hand, the grin looking much more awkward than before.
"Of course," he bowed slightly. "It is…agreeable to see you here, your force was most adequate for ensuring my safety though it was quite the costly endeavor." He glanced back towards the smoking wreckage. "Emergency services from Hell are already en route, you have my word that not only will I make this more public than intended to express my admiration of your force…but will extend a personal invitation to the Gathering for you and your forces."
"We shall be there; it will be a step forward for both our people. I hear these gatherings to select the strongest up and coming devil are very important in Hell.
"Your hands," Thrud finally interrupted, having waited long enough for comfort. In a flash she closed in, shredding off a scrap of black cloth from her leotard beneath the armor. "Rossweisse, if you would."
"O-Oh, yes of course," the flustered Valkyrie nodded as soon as she realized what her friend was asking. Using a magic seal, she stopped the bleeding while Thrud tied the bandages, securing them tightly with a sharp tug drawing a groan of pain from Dorian. The scene turned quiet as the wailing sirens of Hell's Emergency Services could be heard in the distance approaching to secure the area. The train had crashed just outside the gates…they made it.
"What would you do without us?" The daughter of Thunder shook her head with a serene smile. Once the bandage was fully secured she laid his hand on hers, turning it over to ensure she did not miss anything. The blood held no disgust to her, it was hardly a new thing.
"I suppose I shouldn't stray too far then," was all Dorian could think to utter as he realized he was out of hands. His right covered in Laerad Ragnarok gripped tightly by Rossweisse's with his bandaged left cradled by a surprisingly gentle Thrud.
"I haven't a thing to wear," Bennia grinned to Ratatoskr who had summoned a tiny violin and was playing softly to the reunion. "I'm sure this gathering will be on hell of a shindig."
Dorian finally meets with the mysterious force following his steps since the fire, the mystery as uncertain as before. With an invitation secured, the Einherjar and his Crossroads make for the gathering of young devils unaware of the machinations against them and their friends. As always, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D
