FateBurn: Thank you
Hollowreaper 93: Indeed, he got off light. Considering how monstrous Sairaorg is, a pulverized arm is nothing.
Wrath of the Sun Deity: For the pairing list, I won't give spoilers for the future...but currently it stands at Dorian/Rose, Xenovia/Kiba, Issei/Rias/Asia and Odin/Freyja. What might come for the future...who knows? ;)
tamagat: Oh, Dorian is plenty strong...he just has the bad luck of facing some of the strongest beings in DxD. Kokabiel was Satan-class, Ona was near-Satan between the snake of Ophis and her Vampire powers and Sairaorg is One Punch Man-DxD edition lol. He still beat Seekvaira, one of the most gifted young devils, with ease...he just needs to find that trump card against the monstrous-god strong characters.
naruto: Thank you very much, I will most certainly keep it up :D Thankfully there are so many ways that Dorian's arm can be healed up, they just have to wait for it.
bevim23: That is my plan :D There is a reason Dorian's power have such diverse applications ;)
deltanz92: Thanks! Oh...I am sure it is a good guess at the nefarious saboteur :)
Slayer Cross: At long last he gets his own bat wings lol, spending time with so many devils and finally in Hell helped Iggy adapt to their magic. It is funny you ask on the limitations as I go into detail on that this very chapter. ;)
giovvaniauditore: Such words of praise! I am red from ear to ear lol. That means so much to hear, I will most certainly keep up the good work and hope I don't fall into any of those dips you mentioned.
fanficcyberman: That he does and it's starting to get noticed by the others. Dorian has thrown himself at danger like that so often that Rossweisse is not liking it with good reason...perhaps there is a reason behind it? Then I am holding to my course, giving good meaningful character development to both the new and existing characters was part of what motivated me to start this.
ahsoei: Not for much longer ;) They may walk on eggshells on the topic of their relationship, but only due to their mutual inexperience in the field. The time of them letting it all out is soon...
OBSERVER01: A thousand curses on Diodora! XD I have seen seldom villains with such hate from fans as him with good reason lol.
GunBlade2019: It would fit Diodora's MO to be sure, though getting around both Tiamat AND Ajuka...quite a feat :D I hope to never disappoint!
God of war: Lol, in Dorian's defense, he only went in arm first. He didn't put his life in danger...baby steps XD Well, as to Iggy's preference, he is the only man she's known for 17 years. She is literally part of his soul and knows as much about him as he does. It wouldn't be too far flung to think she grew to like the man she was bound to ;)
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"I hardly see why it was so necessary to collect MORE clothes," Rossweisse huffed with a restrained pout on her face. She and Bennia were making for the hospital where Dorian had been taken the previous day. Rather than staying with him, Thrud and the others had been insistent on her getting assorted supplies for the protracted stay. Even with Bennia assisting with teleporting back to the tower it had taken until the next day to make their way back.
"He'll probably want to get out of those hospital clothes," she rationalized while shaking one of the bags in her hands. "Plus we can sneak in some snacks, his arm may have been turned to pudding but I am sure the food they serve there is way worse.
The sun had recently risen on August 8th as the two women made a b-line for the hospital. Fortunately there were few other visitors other than the occasional devil coming in for check-ups or minor injuries. The receptionist was busy writing down notes from the last check-in before spotting them, practically throwing her notepad to the side to attend to them.
"Oh, you two must be here for the young man from the rating game?" She smiled cheerily, no doubt recognizing their foreign attire. "He is on the sixth floor, room sixty-six."
Following the path upstairs, they finally found the room, door already open a crack to reveal light inside.
"Perfect, he's still awake," Bennia remarked, shoving her bags of supplies into Rossweisse's already over encumbered arms while speaking so quickly her words ran together. "You drop these off, I need to go find the others and let them know our fearless leader is awake gotta go bye!"
In a flash the hyperactive Grim Reaper was gone, not even using her teleport as she raced off down the hall leaving a trail of dust and confused nurses behind. Rossweisse barely had time to mutter a request for her to wait before the hyperactive grim reaper was long gone. With a deep inhale to calm her nerves while ensuring she didn't drop anything, she tentatively pushed the door open.
Dorian was sitting up in his bed, right arm wrapped in a secured cast set to be pressing against his chest to allow zero movement. The surroundings were surprisingly extravagant for a hospital room, at least from the ones she had been in before. The window opened to a gorgeous view overlooking the city which was slightly ajar to allow a cool breeze inside. To her surprise, a stack of gift-wrapped boxes was sitting to the side of his bed, no doubt presents from the others or fans from the match she assumed. The moment the door started to swing, he had already turned his head, eyes meeting hers as soon she entered the room. The silver-haired Valkyrie could not help but smile at the sparkle that lit up upon seeing her.
"Rose, I am so glad to see you," he started with a slight hesitation to his words before noticing her full arms. "Do you need help with that…"
"I am fine," Rossweisse replied quickly before he could move, plopping the assorted bags of food and clothes onto the dresser near the door. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," he motioned to the arm. "Sairaorg did a real number on it, even Thrud's sage arts barely got it to this point."
"She healed you?" Rossweisse muttered as if it was an everyday question without drawing attention to the obvious connotation.
"Apparently, I woke up after she was done. Reassembling bone fragments is a lot trickier than mending a break and…"
"You just can't stay out of trouble can you?"
"Well," he lowered his voice as it was still a secret as to the full extent of the rating game. At Ajuka and Tiamat's request, they were keeping the details from the general public. As far as Hell at large was aware, Dorian had leapt from one rating game into another out of frantic concern for his teammate unaware of the taboo to do so. Tiamat was summoned due to the breach and any mention of the retirement system was left out. "I didn't have much time, another few seconds Thrud might have killed Sairaorg, or worse the other way around."
"I was aware," she replied quickly. "For a moment I feared it would become like Olympus." The memory flashed of Dorian cradled in her arms with crimson blood staining the marble floor, saved only by the grace of Thor and his chariot bearing him to safety. "You do not need more scars."
"It was just an arm, I made sure to not risk…"
"And before it was all of you!" Rossweisse focused on him. "The sword at Olympus, facing Kokabiel in his base and now what happened at Olympus with the staff. There are always alternatives to facing death alone."
Dorian swallowed hard yet retained his strained smile, avoiding the uncomfortable line of reasoning. For the first time since he could remember, a distant memory of him and Rossweisse together in a sunlit cottage among golden fields passed through his mind. With a soft shake of his head he cleared the image.
"Please don't worry, you're stuck with me a little longer," he chuckled nervously before realizing the serious tone in her eyes. "Rose," he gripped her hand tenderly. "I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here with you."
"That is not how the last few days have felt," Dorian's color drained from his face at those words. "I thought, no, I know you were looking closer than our…professional affiliations." She brushed a strand of silver hair from her face while looking straight into his eyes. She could see hesitation within only driving her on further.
"Of course I looked closer," he admitted fully, surprising her with his straightforward answer. "I never said otherwise, you are incredible regardless of what any of those titles from the other Valkyries said." He stiffened as Rossweisse leaned in close; their faces tantalizingly close, so much so that he could feel her breath on his face picking up speed with her racing heart. "You mean the world to me Rose."
"Then why…why the distance this past week? You went out of your way to avoid me at every turn, every time we were to meet you would take a different path, our magic sessions cut shorter than ever. We have never had a chance to…"
Dorian lurched forward at the same time Rossweisse did so instinctively, the two meeting at the edge of the bed. Lips locked for the first time in that moment of heat, Dorian's good hand wrapping around the back of her head. It was quick, yet the shock through both of them was evident and left both staring into each other's eyes beyond their lips parting. Rossweisse's own eyes had not closed through the entire event as quick as it was, her mind processing what had just occurred.
That was m-my first…on the lips…
"Please never think that of why I did it," he could see full well the restrained fear at his answer to her question. "I was beating myself up the whole week, but I had to do it…I could never lie to you Rose though I wish I had hidden it better. We can talk more about us once home in Kuoh; I swear…I didn't want to do it this way."
"Do what?"
"Um, maybe we should try again later?"
Rossweisse flew to her feet, straightening out her suit which had become ruffled from pressing against Dorian and the bed at the sign of the familiar voice of Bennia. To her absolute shock the room was now filled with people emerging through teleportation circles. The entire Crossroads including the Valkyrie Trio, Odin and Freyja along with Azazel and even her mentor Brynhildr stood smirking.
"Sorry it took so long," Bennia shrugged. "SOMEONE held us up," she glared to Ratatoskr lounging on her shoulder.
"With good cause, did you not see them? Five more minutes and who knows what compromising situation we would have found them in?"
"Everyone!" Rossweisse's face turned a shade of red they'd never seen at the realization they had unmistakably witnessed the exchange. "What are you doing here?"
"You never did remember," Thrud sighed while walking up to her childhood friend, producing an item from behind her back and snapping it onto Rossweisse's head. It was so fast the Valkyrie did not see what it was, however she did not need to ask as everyone in the room took out a similar object, placing it on their heads. She spun to see Dorian had done the same, now donning a steepled birthday hat.
"Happy Birthday Rose," Dorian grinned like an idiot having held onto the secret for so long. He had hoped their exchange wouldn't have been witnessed while Bennia took her time teleporting everyone in, but it was too late for such worries. "I am sorry, I knew I could never lie to you and would spoil the party. That and I had to collect some things," he motioned toward the pile of presents in the corner with a relieved smile that the deception was over. "You didn't think these were for me did you?"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The room exploded with cheer as the decorations, shielded by magic, materialized with a giant banner reading 'Happy 19th' in large letters.
"You all…s-set this up for me?" Rossweisse could barely hold back tears at the gesture.
"Well we didn't plan on being in a hospital," Hecuba admitted. "But once it was clear there was no way Dorian would be out before day's end we decided to shift the venue somewhat. The staff was completely onboard with helping out but we had to get the supplies."
Rossweisse glanced to the pile of bags she had laid in the corner, it all made perfect sense now. It explained the time since arriving in Hell, everyone's apparent busy schedule and the hushed whispers when she drew near.
"Thank you all," she finally got out, smiling cheerily at the collected room having somehow restrained her tears of appreciation.
"Enough of the sappy stuff!" Ratatoskr called out having donned his own miniature hat and holding out a pair of party poppers. "Let's get this party started!"
The festivities had been simple, the celebration more a gathering of their own between friends and those considered family. Freyja embraced the former bodyguard while her husband kept his distance, the tension between them over her dismissal still fresh in her mind. They regretted that her parents could not attend still being in far-off Vanaheim. The gifts were the first part of the events as each stepped forward to present their contribution.
Freyja was first, placing a small container into Rossweisse's palm. Opening it, she revealed a dazzling gold ring affixed with a trio of gems glittering red, white and green. Dorian tilted his head at the beautiful jewelry though Rossweisse clearly recognized it.
"A draupnir?" She asked in confusion.
"A ring of the dwarves," Thrud whispered to Dorian, smiling that she had found a Norse myth he could not recall of the top of his head. "A self-replicating ring that creates more every ninth day, each of those made from it is of the same quality.
"Think of it from all of us," Freyja asserted upon seeing her eyes uncertain as to whether to accept the gift. "You have more than earned it, Brokkr and Eitri were quite proud of the original and I am sure would appreciate the duplicates being granted to those who are worthy. Just…be sure to save that for your worthy hero," she winked slyly to her former ward.
"They gave their blessing passing on a draupnir replica," Brynhildr clarified. "Better it to be appreciated than squirreled away in a vault...no offense," she offered to Ratatoskr.
"Eh," he shrugged his shoulders. "I get my short jokes, they get the rodent ones, it's only fair."
"Thank you," she embraced her Goddess, determined to not let her faith be misplaced while slipping the immaculate ring onto her finger, a stolen glance falling on Dorian for half a moment before continuing.
"We made these," Herja presented Rossweisse with a pair of bows in a similar design to the ones she wore in her hair. These were more intricate, woven from a deep purple material though the edges were the same pink coloration as her old ones.
"It took a few tries," Brynda admitted while hiding their hands covered with bandages from the many pinpricks garnered in their trials.
"Yet the end result was glorious indeed!" Misty asserted.
"I'll put them in as soon as I can," Rossweisse promised, laying them aside with the other presents. The three had worked especially hard on the gesture, deep down feeling remorse for the many rumors and remarks made about Rossweisse in their younger years when she studied alongside them. "Please do not feel guilty; I am sure I was not easy to get to know back then."
The three nodded with her, a silent agreement between them, all past wrongs forgiven for a brighter future. Such presents continued, chocolates from the hospital staff, even Ratatoskr offered several acorns from his private stash brought through from the Road Between Realms. Azazel was not one to be left out and came up behind the grinning rodent looking very pleased with himself.
"What is it?" Rossweisse asked as she unwrapped a bright pink bottle with attached hose resembling those used with perfumes.
"A little concoction I came up with over the years," he announced proudly. "It's perfectly harmless within that bottle, however a few spritzes of that and Mr. Right won't be able to keep his hands off…"
Before he could finish, the empty box was chucked at his head, the pink bottle stuffed to the bottom of the pile with Rossweisse's cheeks nearly matching it. She barely let out a sheepish thank you before moving on to the next.
"That one is from all of us," Dorian announced, referring to the entirety of the Crossroads.
"It was his idea, don't let him fool you," Bennia poked as Rossweisse tore away the last of the wrapping. The gift looked like a thick tome with inscriptions across the surface as if hiding a great secret within.
"Oh my, is this another book of magic?" She asked enthusiastically, remembering the Olympian spellbook she still poured over nightly when she could.
"Even better," Xenovia smirked. "Open it."
"What could possibly be better than…?" The 19-year old Valkyrie's eyes exploded from her head, locked onto the first page of the tome where she had expected to find only a table of contents perhaps. Instead, she saw something that rivaled the beauty of the draupnir replicate in her eyes. "S-S-S-Seventy percent off?"
"All purchases of food over ten items in Hell," Dorian explained. "You can thank Lady Gremory as she knew the best places for coupon savings around here. "Irina had some from Heaven for marked down discount items there."
"Sixty-five percent off all apparel?" Hearts had formed within her eyes as she sped through the book. Inside she found coupons ranging from every item imaginable good in Hell and Heaven, Bennia had even snuck back to Olympus with Dorian during the week to acquire some there and of course Thrud had known her long enough to find their old hangouts in Asgard. The book was full to bursting with savings and deals that would last her for years.
"Iggy did the binding," he concluded, noting the vine-like loops holding the pages together. "A little practice for the future."
I'll be fashioning more in no time, the daughter of Yggdrasil gushed in his mind, beaming with pride at what she had made. Sewing clothes requires a much finer hand.
"Don't use them all too fast," Irina smiled. "When you get a chance I can show you the best in Heaven…literally."
The party grew more casual once all the gifts were unwrapped, everyone wishing her well before falling into small talk with the various other attendees. Freyja and Odin were forced to depart early for other meetings but not before wishing them both well with the Queen of Asgard leaving an empowered kiss upon Dorian's cheek as a parting gift to aid in healing. Even with the help he was healing slowly, with Rias' peerage training in the mountains they could not simply ask for Asia to use her Twilight healing until their return. There were also the fabled Phenex tears of the devil family that could heal any wound; alas they would not arrive until closer to the first rating game battle further out. Until then he would have to mend with assistance from sage arts which was faster, but still slow with the extent of his injury.
"I wanted to say…thank you," Thrud sheepishly remarked to Ratatoskr when they were alone in the corner, each enjoying the punch. She wore a long-sleeved shirt to hide her still-healing injuries beneath; a plus side of studying sage arts was she could keep her own healing up almost indefinitely. "For getting through to me."
"Please, you didn't hear me at all and we both know it," he tutted her, ages of experience allowing him to see past her façade. "You were prepared to splatter my face against the wall. Be honest with yourself, I won't say a word…I'd tell you to grow a pair but I think that's a losing battle considering your gender."
A white flash passed through Thrud's mind but quickly passed, resulting in her letting out a hearty laugh at her friend's ridiculous comment. Those nearby looked more worried than relieved that the two were somehow getting along better than usual. No one held back as the cheer, merriment and punch flowed much to Azazel and Odin's disappointment that the hospital did not allow something stronger. It was not until the late hours that the guests started dragging themselves from the room, more than a few being carried out with big grins on their faces.
"This was so wonderful," Rossweisse remarked to Dorian, helping him finish his dinner, a task infinitely more complicated with a single arm. "I have not had a true celebration since I was a little girl."
"And those were smaller, since when did you get so many friends Rose?"
The two spun, realizing that an elderly woman had entered after the last guest departed. She had a blue shawl on leaning upon an old staff yet had no hesitation in her steps as if the cane was merely decorative.
"You!" Dorian called out, recognizing her as the old woman who had taught him last second tricks to his seal-creation before the bout with Modi.
"Grandmother!" Rossweisse carefully laid the bowl of food down before standing straight and proper, bowing politely to her.
Grandmother?
"Long time no see," she turned to Dorian with a grin of satisfaction, fully knowledgeable that he'd never considered her identity. "I hear you've improved since your tussle with Modi; I can sense your power already. Make sure you use it well as you did before."
"Dorian, this is my Grandmother Göndul, Grandmother this is…"
"We met darling," she interrupted. "I showed him a little trick I hoped would not be wasted on his inexperience."
"I had no idea you were Rossweisse's grandmother," he blurted out, trying to remain calm at the realization he had met one of her family already. "I never got a chance to thank you for the advice; I can certainly see where Rossweisse gets her talents from."
"No need to flatter me boy, I'm as old as the dirt and twice as coarse. At the time I was doing it to save my granddaughter, yet it does these old bones good to see how far you've both come." She glanced to his cast. "I think your bones could still use some work, never stop moving forward and improving. Do you think you could give my granddaughter and I a moment"
Dorian nodded immediately, his reflexes to treat Rossweisse's family with the utmost respect kicking in on instinct. "I'll just…get the rest of the wrapping paper," he pointed, nearly stumbling over his own feet before making his way to the opposite side of the room. Göndul did not speak until he was well out of earshot.
"A bit too soft but he is more tempered then before, my approval still stands if he hasn't made a move," she analyzed him quickly. "I hope your day was enjoyable."
"It was," she smiled at all that had transpired that evening. A day of friends and merriment, it was perfect beyond what she had expected. As Thrud had stated, she'd entirely overlooked the date the others had spent a week planning out in great detail under her nose. "I am very happy here."
"I'll feel better when your position with the boy is more official," she raised a calming hand as it was clear Rossweisse's face was turning a rather adorable shade of red. "I know I know, you were never quick in that department, however it seems he is a bit more conservative than most in our realms. Nevertheless, I am proud of the path you found, I am surprised you lasted with our troublesome Allfather as long as you did. Please, let's sit and talk while we have time. I am sure we have much to discuss."
Not Far…
"And…done," Dorian heaved a sigh as he lifted the final bag of garbage into the trash with his good hand. The room which had previously been a disaster area of ribbons, popped balloons and wrapping paper was slowly becoming presentable. He purposefully chose that moment to take everything out, leaving Rossweisse some privacy with her grandmother.
Did you know she was Rose's Grandmother?
I did not, Iggy admitted. Her aid was appreciated though you could not hear me yet when she spoke with you, her technique while simple was quite effective.
"Are you busy?"
Dorian acknowledged the voice and a soft knock alerting to the presence of a tall green-haired devil ducking in through a door near the stairwell. To the Einherjar's surprise, it was none other than Ajuka Beelzebub himself.
"Lord Beelzebub? What are you doing here?"
"My apologies, it is not easy getting out without notice, I detest crowds but wanted to speak with you. News is traveling fast of your interference causing the appearance of Tiamat, a sight that has only occurred thrice before. I apologize for the deception required and swear that as soon as the Phenex family arrives we shall use a tear for your arm."
"No apology is needed," Dorian became a bit more serious at where the conversation was heading. "Revealing the discovery of the sabotage could drive whoever did it further underground. This way he may think that his work was unnoticed thanks to my unauthorized entrance. I will not say a word, I swear."
"I am in your debt; Seekvaira, Sairaorg and the others have given similar promises as well while you slept. Someone who could tamper with the rating game would cause such a ripple through the Underworld, its safety measures and redundancies I placed were part of what allowed it to grow as it has. Sabotage is without a doubt at this point, somehow a backdoor program only I have access to was used to adjust the settings without altering the parameters of the field or basic configuration of the Dimensional Gap's makeup. I have since closed that venue to set off some nasty surprises on second attempts to use it."
Dorian's head was spinning from the overly-complicated explanation but he did his best to keep up.
"The rating games help keep order in the new direction Hell has been taking since we Satans took power. Having a Dragon King overseeing the field for any illegal activity also does well to…de-incentivize trickery."
"And the Evil Piece system as well?" Dorian asked, seeing this as the only opportunity to speak with the genius-devil so closely. "Irina said you helped on the Brave Saint system that turned her into an angel."
"Only on a few points," he admitted. "Once the technology I developed for devils was shared it was a surprisingly short amount of time before Heaven developed their own variant. Even quicker than our other allies who still peruse its secrets."
"Can humans be reincarnated into any supernatural race?"
"Well, not ANY," Ajuka seemed to relax a bit as they drew off topic to one he was more comfortable with. "The race must be intrinsically similar to humans, the same number of organs, basic structure, you name it. I was more than a little surprised dragons were compatible with devils, a possible shared ancestry perhaps? We may never know as it would require extensive testing depending on the species, why do you ask?"
A black pair of cat ears flashed in his mind, the overly zealous nature gleamed at the Peace Summit drew the question to the forefront of the Einherjar's mind. He had to ask, not for himself but to repay a debt he felt owed.
"Well, you see there was a question over an application of the system I had if you could answer…"
Back in the room…
"I believe I gave you full permission to do whatever you wished with the boy," Rossweisse's grandmother chastised with a restrained grin. "Is this how the youth rebel in this day and age?"
"You don't have to worry about me so much," she retorted with a child-like groan. "We are colleagues, more than friends, and we have been growing closer every…"
"Worrying is my job, I took it up gladly when your parent's duties prevented them from doing so. I'll feel a lot better when you have someone to call your own. That Dorian seems up to the task if he would make a move, you tell me the MOMENT that happens, understood?"
"Grandmoth…" Rossweisse's words died as the woman who raised her held out a small sparsely-wrapped object barely the size of her hand, gesturing for her to take it.
"Happy birthday Rose," she smirked unaware of how closely her words mirrored Dorian's but a few hours ago. "A little something for planning that future you are so worried about."
Slowly pulling away the paper, Rossweisse's eyes went wide as she beheld a small shield-shaped broach. Etched upon the metallic silver was the emblem of her family, a seal she knew well having first beheld it as a child before those ill-fated trials.
"I cannot take this."
"You can, and you will. Oh don't look at me like that, this is not mandatory or a requirement. Think of it as…an invitation. Keep it as a paperweight if you wish, but if one day you find yourself lacking and need a bit more power to keep your loved ones safe then cash it in. I pray you will never need it, however in these uncertain times one can never be too careful."
"Thank you," she whispered after a moment's pause, slipping the broach into a coat pocket before embracing Göndul tightly. "You were always there for me and I'll ever be grateful. Give it a bit more time, it may not have been said in as many words but I assure you…I found my hero."
"If that is the case, shall I have a more official introduction to the young man?"
With the room empty, no one else saw the incorrigible smile cross the old woman's lips or the beaming blush of joy on the silver-Valkyrie's, thinking of the words that would be said when she and Dorian were back at home in the tower when their time in Hell was over.
"Not yet, I would not want to terrify him so soon," Göndul let out a hearty laughter at her granddaughter's joke, the sound echoing out into the halls.
It was a beautiful day, and of my gifts, the best one… Rossweisse tenderly brought a finger to her lips, remembering the joint decision made she would never forget which started the day of joy.
Outside…
Floating outside the hospital well out of sight range of the windows were a pair of devils, two of the gathered youths watched the interaction with stern faces and furrowed brows. One was held aloft by mighty bat wings, the other keeping pace though one of her own was half gone and bandaged.
"Well, if nothing else I understand him a little more," Seekvaira mused as they looked towards the Einherjar's location, a hand absentmindedly sliding across her maimed wing. "Whoever did this will pay."
"Truly," Sairaorg agreed, his own body covered in bandages and still-healing bruises an ugly shade of purple. His own injuries were as slow to heal as Thrud's, burning in tremendous pain every second yet he ignored them, considering the patchwork of wounds a badge of pride. "I was looking forward to meeting the legendary Red Dragon Emperor but never did I expect two fighters from a far-off realm to be such thrilling fights!"
"Two?" Seekvaira looked confused. "I understand your love of combat with Thor's daughter, but why him? Your blow shattered his arm."
"Indeed," the hulking devil smiled wide, his muscles rippling on instinct at the memory of the blow. "ALL it did was shatter his arm. In the past, my punch has ended foes regardless of where it struck yet he took my full strength, everything I had and walked away with only a pulverized arm. I will give him time, perhaps in the meanwhile he will surprise me and take that extra step to being someone else I can have such an enjoyable time facing in battle…"
Time in Hell…
The days passed quickly for many though slowly to the recovering Dorian as being down to a single arm was a new experience for him and took time to adjust. Thrud proceeded with her sage arts coupled with regular treatments visiting him nearly as often as Rossweisse. The pain was excruciating and the skin contact required from Thrud awkward beyond words surpassing even their time in the cave yet ever did the warrior-maiden have a serene smile of contentment on her face at each session. Dorian did his best to not look to retain her modesty, however it seemed to be a far-off notion to the daughter of thunder. Nevertheless, His teammates were scarcely seen beyond training or seeing the sights of Hell, Dorian's room in the manor became filled with knickknacks from every corner of the city. He would finally be able to decorate his office in the tower which until then had been far too bare.
Finally, the day of the Gremory vs. Sitri match arrived with the respective teams returning from their training sessions in the mountains. The peerage looked rather confident, the training among those peaks rumored to have been extensive. Asia would be readying for the fight and so they decided to not interrupt her preparation. The Crossroad members were assured that a member of the Phenex family would be providing the healing tears personally.
"Thanks," the Einherjar grunted with a spike of discomfort as Rossweisse helped him shuffle off his Crossroad jacket. His bones had been restructured and set, being healed up to a standard break, not that this fact made it hurt any less in the cast.
A tough-looking woman with short orange hair and attire that screamed biker stepped between them, analyzing the two before hesitantly stepping to the side. They had been permitted within a private box for the game along with other VIPs including the aforementioned representative of the prestigious Phenex family.
"This is Lady Ravel Phenex, youngest daughter of the Phenex Clan," she announced as a short blonde woman no older than Bennia stepped forward. She had bright yellow hair styled into drill-like ringlets contrasting with her blue eyes. Quite unlike her guard she was dressed in an elegant pink dress with white frills. Dorian cleared his throat awkwardly, realizing the girl was over a foot shorter than him. The way her eyes bored into his made it seem like even this height difference was a grave insult.
"No need for pleasantries Isabella," she interrupted, eyeing him up and down inspecting the foreign warrior. "Lord Beelzebub made the request personally so all thanks will go through him. You should be grateful, very few have access to our tears and even fewer get a chance to use them. You might be the first non-devil, now show me the arm."
Dorian blinked but did not back down at the unexpected cold response. Without replying, he held out his arm to the girl looking it over.
"Easy enough," she muttered before producing a flask of purple crystal from her dress. Upending it, she let a single drop fall upon the Einherjar's hand where the skin was visible. Dorian squinted as a dazzling pink glow arose from the point of impact, the drop seeming to sink into his flesh like water. The effects were almost instant as all soreness faded as promised; the golden-haired stranger to those lands flexed his fingers, impressed to find all pain gone. With a near-manic desperation to be rid of it, he tore the cast from his arm, casting it aside while stretching with a satisfied groan. "Well, how does it feel?"
"It feels fantastic!" He remarked, punching forward to test it out before leaning to his side and doing a few one-handed push-ups and hopping back to his feet.
That would be handy if we could learn that power Iggy.
It would take a lifetime, she explained. I have come to learn that I can understand the magics of an entire people due to the underlying basics, but to learn that which is unique to an individual or family bloodline would require understanding their personal traits specifically. I cannot learn this any easier than the power of destruction from the Gremorys or boosting from Ddraig.
Or dividing from Albion, Dorian recalled that the countermeasure they had devised against his power, yet to use it themselves was an impossibility.
"Will you be staying for the fight?" He asked, glancing out the massive glass window towards the projected field beyond. He was quite surprised to realize that the arena had been styled after a section of Kuoh Town, the very department store he and Rossweisse had found such savings within only a few weeks prior.
"Of course, a family as prestigious as the House of Phenex being absent would be unseemly. My brother was part of a similar gathering when he was younger."
"Will he be joining us?"
Ravel hesitated, a look of restrained frustration plain as day for a moment. "No, he was meant to however there were…unforeseen complications and so I was sent in his stead."
Was her brother not the one Azazel mentioned Issei defeated to get Rias out of her arranged marriage?
I think so…best not to press the topic.
"It should be quite the fight," he looked over the field as the full peerages assembled on their sides. "Rias has the advantage in terms of brute force but Sona's strategies are top notch."
"Hmm," the Phenex heiress crossed her arms looking smug as if every word out of her mouth was an absolute certainty. "I don't see how this can end any way other than a Gremory victory."
"Why is that?"
"Because," Ravel's face flushed a slight shade of red as they fell upon Rias' lone pawn gathered with the rest discussing strategy. "Because she has the one man who succeeded in beating my brother."
Elsewhere in the Stadium…
"Anything amiss?" Xenovia asked as she patrolled under the guise of seeing the sights. Very few paid any attention to the beautiful foreign warrior. Many would likely have risked drawing closer to speak were it not for a certain oddity riding her shoulder.
"Not a peep, if there's anything wrong with the magic here I ain't sensing it." Ratatoskr stood proud acting as if her shoulder were the prow of a ship, scanning the area in all directions with a particularly darkened look at any man who glance their way and a wink of appreciation for any attractive ladies. "I can sense this stuff with the best of em!"
"And we are very thankful for it," Irina smiled, leaning towards him to pinch his cheeks. Despite the supreme embarrassment at such an act, he could not refuse her. Getting to work alongside Xenovia again gave Irina some comfort and sense of normalcy among devils and Einherjars. "Whoever attacked the first match shall NOT do so again! Amen." She clasped her hands in prayer. "Oh lord, let us defend these devils against…"
Xenovia slapped her hand over Irina's mouth as the nearest dozen or so spectators grasped their heads in pain as if wracked with an intense migraine. She immediately realized her error, giving an apologetic and embarrassed shrug before moving on. Hecuba was covering the opposite side with Thrud while Tiamat remained on extra guard from the shadows. Between everything being considered they did not see how another sabotage could take place.
"The game shall soon commence!" A familiar booming voice of the arbiter rang through the stadium. I am Grayfia Lucifuge of the Gremory Household and Queen to our Lord Sirzechs." The aura of a maid normally permeating her very being was gone, replaced with the proud wife of a Satan. "The rules are thus; this shall be a base battle rating game within this recreation of Kuoh. Buildings cannot be destroyed at penalty of forfeiture of the match. There is also…"
"No collateral destruction," Xenovia considered as Grayfia continued reading off the rules and restrictions. "That will favor the Sitri team as Rias will not be able to utilize her powers of destruction to their fullest nor Gasper's time manipulation. Kiba will be fine; he does not go for the flashy moves versus a subdued, more practical one. They both have only a single knight..."
"I would have never pictured you such close friends with a devil," Irina could not help but tease. "Since she had joined the Crossroads, Xenovia had spoken of little else with her spare time than her hopes for the Gremory knight.
"He has refused my direct advances, yet does not shirk away from my more…methodical approaches. I see him looking, yet he hesitates in his words. It is far more intricate and complicated than I initially theorized."
"It is the balance of life," Ratatoskr interrupted to add his wisdom. "That special place between keeping things loving and sweet versus being unable to see past anything but the knockers and assets of the lucky lady…"
"Thrud said I can hit you whenever I want," Xenovia threatened, their guest retreating behind the safety of Irina's head.
"Hey, don't shoot the tutor just because you don't like the lesson!" He jabbed a clawed finger towards her. "It's true, yer a lucky girl I hope you know. Issei is on the FAR end of the spectrum while Dorian is falling behind on the opposite side. From the look of it that Kiba fella is pulling ahead with you…good for him."
A balance, Dorian has had more time to draw closer to Rossweisse than Kiba has to me yet we are so close. Kiba is moving forward but our leader must grow bolder if he is to…
"With both teams ready, I shall turn the comments over to my partner for the fight!" Grayfia's voice spiked, drawing the three's attention. "Ready…and…begin!"
Near the arena…
"Issei Hyoudou is fighting furiously against Genshirou Saji!" The announcer replacing Grayfia boomed as the match intensified within. "He has been snared by the young man's Sacred Gear; will he be able to escape before his strength is sapped dry?"
Bennia walked the stadium among the thunderous applause alone; with her teleports she was far more mobile by herself. The rating game had started out strong as the peerage members had split off for their respective missions. Issei and Koneko had been ambushed almost immediately by Saji and Ruruko Nimura, bent on eliminating them while delaying any assistance to the other teams. Similarly, Kiba and Honda found themselves cornered by the trio of Tsubaki, Tomoe and Yura. Yura fought Honda with her bare hands, forcing the animated suit of armor back under colossal blows as Tomoe clashed with Kiba backed up by her queen.
"As for Rias and Akeno, they face Sona and her entourage of bishops, yet are unable to pierce the barrier they are hiding behind. How will they break it in time before the Sitri team's plan bears fruit?"
"So dramatic," Bennia chuckled, taking a moment to lean over the railing and letting her feet dangle a moment. She was thankful for the distraction as the patrols had been boring. She understood the reason for it but could not deny the fact that she was bored to tears. "Dorian should start charging for every time he gets wounded, we could buy a new tower. He's gotta stop picking on the absolute monsters of the world or else he's going to end up splattered over the walls."
"Issei has cut himself free of Saji's gear! Is that…the Holy Dragonslayer Ascalon?"
Bennia leaned closer, witnessing what the announcer had just described occur on the big screen. Issei had extended the blade portion of the sword gifted by Michael from his Boosted Gear, using it to cut cleanly through Vitra's tongue and severing the flow of energy between them.
"I didn't get my ass beat by Kiba and Goldie in training for nothing!" Issei roared as the camera caught it all, the frustration was palpable as he put the sword skills literally beaten into him to use.
Saji fired attack after attack with his stolen power only for each to be deflected with ease. Sona's newest pawn had been prepared to die if need be to assure victory for his beloved king, yet with Ascalon's power shining bright he could not connect with Issei to drain him. Bennia clapped at the maneuver, the entire audience was on their feet as the match intensified…all except for one.
Bennia tilted her head in confusion at seeing a small dark-haired young woman, no older than 14, sitting absentmindedly on the railing above in a near-perfect mirror image of Bennia's own pose. Unlike the audience, cameras and fellow Crossroad members, the girl appeared to be glancing lazily upward towards the VIP boxes far in the distance.
"Um, not impressed?" Bennia chuckled, floating up to the same level, taking up a position a few feet away.
"Red against black, white or green, it is nothing new," she replied barely breaking enough octaves for the boisterous Grim Reaper to hear her. "It happened before, is happening now and will happen later. I miss nothing."
"You must have seen a lot of rating games," Bennia remarked, noticing she was alone. "Got a celebrity you have a crush on up there?" She grinned mischievously though was confused as the girl remained as stoic as ever without the slightest sign of embarrassment.
"A child of darkness," she glanced at Bennia with a cursory stare only before returning her attention to above. "Yet you walk in the light, not many do so but is hardly new. You'll have to look into that darkness if you want to go anywhere. You aren't in the right place either."
"Um…thanks? So you are bored too?"
What is up with this girl?
"That is an appropriate way to put it, how does one pass the time when there is nothing interesting to do or see?"
"There is always something fun," Bennia leaned over. She kept an eye out for any trouble but found herself inexorably drawn to the strange girl her age. "It may not be the match for you…"
"Honda has been pinned by Yura's incredible strength! Kiba has eliminated Tomoe but cannot find openings against Tsubaki, just how closely matched are these teams?"
"Six months ago I would have called that a naïve statement," she finally turned towards Bennia, golden eyes shining bright. "But now…I may have found just that."
The Grim Reaper tilted her head the opposite direction, realizing their eye colors matched, a deep gold that shimmered with an alluring glow. Risking a glance, she peeked up at the box she had been watching, spotting a blonde-haired devil heiress, Ajuka Beelzebub and Dorian beside them watching the fight with great interest.
"Oho?" She smirked at her new friend. "Tall, blonde and handsome up there? He's my boss; if you want I could introduce you."
"That won't be necessary, I have interfered enough. If I show up too much I won't know how things should go or what he may do on his own."
"What do you mean by that?"
A massive explosion erupted from the stadium, drawing Bennia's attention. Where Akeno had been standing, a massive bolt from the skies had sundered the clouds leaving behind blackened and charred stonework. Despite the attack, the barrier defending the Sitri king and bishops held strong.
"Could that be…lightning of Heaven!? Ladies and gentlemen I am proud to say that has never been seen within these walls before. So much power from the Gremory Queen!"
"Oh come on," Bennia teased while turning back to the young girl. "You can NOT say that wasn't a little bit impress…"
She stopped in her tracks, realizing the girl was gone. Glancing each way she could think of, she could not find any trace of her. Turning back to the game, the young Olympian scratched her head utterly perplexed at the speed at which the odd spectator had vanished.
"Wow, I NEED to find out where she learned to do that. I could drive Hecuba even crazier in the mornings than I already do!"
Opposite side of the field…
"Momo Hanakai and Reya Kusaka, bishops of Sona were nearly eliminated with that blast but their incredible defense held!"
"I'm so proud," Thrud smirked assuredly as Akeno's attack revealed to have struck no one but sent a message, that her days of fearing her own God-given power were no more. "That heavenly lightning is really something; unlike my own, her body can handle it just fine." With a slight sense of jealousy she eyed her arms, still covered to hide the healing burns from the match with Sairaorg. Over the years she had become adept at channeling the power through her weapons, avoiding the painful effect it had despite her best efforts.
"Their power will not matter if they cannot break through to Sona and her bishops," Hecuba warned amid analyzing their strategy. The Sitri peerage had split up to deal with their respective opponents all the while keeping their king protected with magic from their bishops. Without a means of reaching her, they could set up ambushes and routes at their discretion while simultaneously keeping Rias and Akeno busy.
"The vampire kid was their only scout and he was taken out early with that garlic trap. Kiba is standing up to Tsubaki, she made sure to keep Issei busy so he won't be able to boost the others while dealing with Saji. At first glance Koneko and Ruruko are even rooks…but she didn't know the extent of her drive and my training."
Thrud could not help but grin as Ruruko, Sona's rook took a blow from Koneko that didn't look serious, however staggered back and tripped, barely catching herself before the secret Nekoshou charged in to press the attack.
"Sage art controls the flow of natural energy within the body meant to heal friends and hinder enemies. She is actually disrupting the girl's internal organs and bodily functions. Each blow is causing her muscles to spasm or not work as they should, altering the flow so she can't keep her composure. If that girl has no defense against it…"
The crowd was on their feet as Sona's rook made a retreat only to be stopped as a white tail that hadn't been there a moment ago looped around her ankle.
"Wh-what?" Ruruko gasped as she was pulled in to a waiting fist. Unlike before, a soft white shimmer had wrapped around the small battering ram making right for her face.
"This is MY power!" Koneko released a quiet yet stern proclamation the cameras picked up before being overtaken by an explosion of energy, her cat ears on full display.
"And Ruruko Nimura has been eliminated! What an amazing comeback from…"
Without warning, a pillar of water surrounded by crackling devil magic crashed down upon the recovering Koneko. With a cry of pain she was thrown clear, her body disintegrating as the retirement system picked up sufficient injury to warrant removal from the field.
"At least we know the system is working right," Thrud remarked. "Where did that come from?"
"A tactical strike from a far-off location," Hecuba's eyes traced across the field unable to determine its source. "That would have taken quite a lot of energy, likely a joint attack from Sona and her bishops. If she could do that often the match would be over by now. They need to find her before she can recharge it too many times or they won't stand a chance."
"That little one did well though," The daughter of thunder admitted. "Using not just her powers but revealing her Nekoshou heritage at a public match. She is still hesitant to go all out, but is making progress," a light was practically on her face showcasing the pride she felt that their late night training had not been in vain.
"If they keep up their training, they will become a force to be reckoned with." Hecuba twirled her dagger nonchalantly before returning the blade to its sheath only to pull it out and repeat. "A new generation of heroes."
"Our combined technique!" Kiba cried as he held his sword up high. "Honda! Armored Sword Birth!"
Kiba slammed his sword of the betrayer into the ground, however unlike the times before the battlefield of blades did not emerge from the point of impact. Instead, the armored body of Rias' newest rook glowed bright before dozens of demonic blades exploded from within. As a Dullahan, Honda's armor was unharmed by the sudden protrusions; however the sudden appearance of legendary swords was too much for Yura whom had been wrestling with the armor. With a cry of pain, the rook was retired. Not even Tsubaki got through unscathed as the weapons blasted outward, several piercing her barriers to tear through her body.
Sona's queen crumpled to the ground but not before Kiba ducked low despite his exhaustion, catching her before she struck.
"That was very well done," Tsubaki admitted with a cough. "I never imagined Honda's armor could act as a medium to your sword birth."
"If you had, I never would have stood a chance," he smiled down at her as she started to disappear.
"Xenovia is lucky," Sona's queen blurted out while retainer her stoic nature, betrayed only by the blush on her cheek. "But she should know I don't give up easily either…" With that final word she was gone, leaving Kiba alone as the damage done by his own attack had been sufficient to retire Honda as well. He slumped back, striving to recover his energy to assist his teammates as quickly as possible.
"Yea," Thrud continued as the match continued. "And if things hadn't gone the way they have we'd never have met them or each other. I'd still be at home playing the part of the expected warrior; you'd be commanding legions up on Olympus…"
Hecuba nodded with her assessment, both holding back a slight smirk as they imagined at the same time the unexpected man met who had caused their set paths to diverge so greatly in such a wonderful way.
In the VIP box…
"And Asia Argento has been eliminated from exhaustion! Both sides are reeling from the battle, as expected this will be down to the wire!"
"She was too focused on that...Issei," Ravel scoffed trying to act disinterested in the actions of the Red Dragon Emperor. "She used up so much energy she had none left for herself."
"And it wasn't enough," Dorian surmised as Issei crumpled to a knee.
He had kept Saji at bay with Ascalon, preventing his rival pawn from draining energy, at least for a time. In response, Saji latched his gear to the base of Issei's sword itself, draining the power of the holy aura emitting from it. Sona's pawn had done it, taking a retiring blast from Issei's dragon shot but succeeding in draining sufficient power that his friend had to retire to prevent injury. Yet, even as his body started to fade, Issei held on, shouting to the heavens for one more chance.
"Before I go, I WILL show off my new skill, the ability born of my lustful desires!"
The sweat drop between Rossweisse, Dorian and Ravel could not have been better timed, the three looking on fearful of what was coming next. The incorrigible teenager closed his eyes, looking more focused than he had ever been in classes or practicing with Kiba and the others.
I'll need to give him harder assignments next time, with a face like that he has the drive when he puts his mind to it. If he doesn't fight against women and falls into using his dress break he isn't so bad…
"President…I can hear the breasts of the women around me! My newest ultimate technique…Boob Translation!"
Why do I say anything?
"Do not worry President, I will show my worth before I go…and Akeno I am sure you can talk to your father after the fight." He spoke as his body faded as if replying to nonexistent conversations."
"He couldn't be…" Ravel instinctively covered her chest as did seemingly half the stadium. "Could he?"
"I-it's impossible," Dorian swallowed hard. "Breasts don't have thoughts; s-surely he is just reading their minds and focusing in the wrong places."
I am sure you are right; such a power would be terrifying.
"And you! The woman in Goldie's head!" Issei shouted loud, causing Iggy to pale internally. "I can see why he's in a good mood all the time with you in there, if only Ddraig had a voice like yours."
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD AND HERS!" Dorian shouted, plastering himself up against the glass with a look of utter frustration on his face.
"The Student Council President in the barrier is a fake, the real one and her bishops are cloaked on the roof!" With that final word, the young pawn disappeared from the field, his heart lighter through his actions and developing yet a new power tied to his love of the female form.
"Oho," Akeno sneered with an almost devilish grin. "So that is where you scampered off to." Raising her hands high, a renewed bolt of Heaven crashed down on the rooftop bathing it in holy lightning.
"INCREDIBLE! A double knock-out as both Reya Kusaka and Momo Hanakai have been eliminated with that titanic blast! The Sitri heiress has been exposed with Rias Gremory in hot pursuit!"
"It's over, as I said," Ravel Phenex proclaimed with a crossing of her arms. "It is only a matter of time now."
"They have certainly improved since the battle with Kokabiel," Rossweisse complimented.
"But not enough," Dorian glanced towards her, catching the side look from her understanding he was not only talking about the Gremory team.
I swore to Rose I'd watch over myself as much as her and the team. To do that, I need more power. Kokabiel, Sairaorg, the Old Satans, there are so many foes out there that are far stronger than I. The training as I am doing helps but will take far too long to reach those heights, I need to find a trump card…
He locked his fingers around hers, the two gripping the other tenderly, the presence of so many VIPs of the Underworld nearby the only thing preventing further words from being said in that regard.
"We have time," Rossweisse assured him before falling back to their reference using the Gremory team. "I mean…they have time, we are all young. There may be a burden on our shoulders but that point cannot be forgotten.
Dorian smiled at her words yet subtly glanced away, a cold feeling creeping up his spine he could not explain.
We have time, but do we really? Why do I get such a feeling that we don't? I don't understand, it's as if I am missing something right in front of me.
As the commander of the Crossroads pondered their future, down below Rias Gremory overwhelmed Sona Sitri, securing the win for her team. The crowd thundered and cheered at the victory though one was quiet in deep contemplation, Ratatoskr sat atop Irina's shoulders looking as if he had seen the face of Nirvana, Heaven and enlightenment all at once.
"He…he can talk to tits? How has this ancient hallowed art been lost to creation for so long? I must know the secret of this cherished power…to harness it for the betterment of…!"
He did not finish as the swordswomen duo simultaneously caught him in the back of the head, driving the ecstatic squirrel into the ground, an incorrigible smile of joy still etched upon his face within the resulting crater.
At the Gremory Manor…later that day
"Hmmm, hmmmm," Rossweisse hummed as she looked throughout her closet. With the conclusion of the first match and opening ceremonies, a grand gala was being planned for the following evening before their return to Kuoh with the end of summer break. For the first time, the Valkyrie was self-conscious upon realizing her entire wardrobe was filled with business suits with nothing feeling right. "Oh, do I have time to go out?"
A knock at the door was largely ignored as she remained focused on her wardrobe, half the suits already taken out and discarded.
"Come in!" She shouted back without looking.
Would a suit be too formal? I will be Dorian's escort after all, oh why didn't I ever…
"If I had known a storm would tear through here I could have helped clear the skies."
Rossweisse spun as she beheld Freyja standing at the entrance to her room arrayed in a regal gown befitting her station. She was eyeing the catastrophe it had become with shirts, jackets, ties and pants thrown haphazardly every which way. She walked over to the embarrassed woman, carefully stepping to avoid each and every article of clothing.
"L-L-Lady Freyja! I had no idea you were coming. Just give me a few minutes and I can clear it up!"
"There will be no need for that," she assured to waylay her concerns. "My own chambers have been far worse off than this, especially before a grand ball. It brings me joy to see you well; I knew you would flourish on Midgard. I wanted to visit you as it has been far too long"
"If…that is the will of the Allfather then I understand my purpose outside Asgard."
"It was never our will to send you away young one," once close enough she laid a comforting hand on Rossweisse's shoulder. "My husband may be the Allfather of asses, but you'd be surprised how…wise he can be when the situation calls for it. Can you tell me truly you would have preferred to remain in Asgard as Dorian traveled to Midgard?"
"He could have remained in Asgard…" She admitted her previous internal hope, feeling like she could bear her heart to the goddess with no fear of judgement.
"As could we all, but that didn't help us as our influence slowly waned throughout the world. My husband, your Allfather was right about some things like our need to adapt in this world. Olympus was one small step; you and Dorian may be the next."
"I don't understand."
"You will," she leaned forward and kissed Rossweisse gently on the forehead. "But for now you need to prepare for tonight, Odin and I will be attending as well."
"I-I have been picking out what I will wear," she shook it off, ignoring the Allmother's playful wink. "Though my wardrobe has been," she paused embarrassed, "limited."
"Then I arrived just in time," Freyja clapped her hands, signaling a seal of magic to appear in the center of the room. Rossweisse's mouth dropped open as an object started to rise up through it, stopping only once reaching nearly her full height. "Think of it as a belated birthday gift, you are sure to make better use of it than I and will certainly turn a head or two."
The Crossroads prepare to return home after one more celebration within the land of the devils. Rossweisse and Dorian become more honest with one another as their friends prepare for the future.
This was a bit more focused towards the main cast towards the end; I hope you all don't mind as I felt it was time to show their progress in the updated stories. As for Rossweisse and Dorian…I apologize if it has seemed slow, all I can say is that their relationship has been planned out since day 1 ;) Until next time, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys! :D
