Damienstormwing: You are welcome, no need to worry. I try to post every 2-3 weeks, but even if it takes longer, the story will go on ;)

Gan315: I am so glad you liked the chapter, I sent a full reply to the review to you as a PM. Yea, her parents went a biiiiit far. LOL, your idea for Honda made me laugh...a sign that changes based on his thoughts? Maybe developed by Wile E. Coyote? XD I agree, Kuisha and Sairaorg make a cute couple. For Issei, exactly. I'll admit the conflict over Rias' name felt very forced considering she was the one who told him to call her pres/master first. I am glad you liked my update, and yes, Issei being deeper in his desires, even as he barely realizes I felt was necessary for his growth. I hope you like my future ideas to come ;)

MountainBookSage25: Well, Dorian has yet to master his Breakdown the Beast yet and Rossweisse's father is a top fighter of Asgard decades in training. I picture him surpassing Ultimate Class, Dorian is very strong at this point...but he can't stand in the expert big leagues until he heals from the aging in Kyoto...and master his Breakdown.

ARSLOTHES: I am a big fan of Irina too :D Whether she would fit well with Dorian without making him have too many loves is a tough question...with luck you'll like my chosen path when I reveal it.

SomeDudeThatReads: That piece system isn't too far off ;) It'll be coming up within the next volume or 2. As for him killing in battle, much like how Hecuba and Rose killed out of desperation, Thrud out of necessity for the future, he'll have to decide himself. Whereas before he would just ignore the option entirely, now he'll see if it is maybe the solution when other options are gone. It is great to hear you've been enjoying my story :D I hope to never disappoint.

TellurX: Thank you very much! You are right, the bit about Issei's parents was from the later volumes. Admittedly I don't think he knew about it in canon, but I saw no reason he couldn't have heard them talking one night. In regards to Dorian's power, the idea is that up until now he'd use his own power then add Midgardsormr/the Ley Lines on top of it. What I was trying to get across is that due to those powers being far above him, it caused a strain on him. Whta he realized during the fight is that he can utilize their power first then add his to them, much more secure and allows him to use more and fight longer. I hope that clarifies it a bit :) I will most certainly keep working on it, best regards to you too!

xXwolfsterXx644: I hope the wait wasn't too long.

Tohka123: Great to hear! I most certainly will.

Uday Sra: Hopefully the wait between chapters isn't too long :D

TheLycan2026: Oh wow, I am so glad my writing can make you feel that way :) It was about time he did more than sleep, he's starting to take the pact a little more serious...just a little XD

theLawbringer: We agree so much there, I loved early series Rias, but even I was scratching my head at how she acted in Volume 10 around Issei. She knew all about Raynare, but despite Issei's uncertainty, she never considered it or ever brings it up again. I felt that needed rectified if only a little. I was not a fan when the group basically teamed up on him as "being terrible." Oh...I would never try to change your mind, Rossweisse is indeed best girl ;) Lol. I am glad you liked it.

fanficcyberman: Needing approval from the 8th strongest being in the world...good luck to him XD As for Vali being impressed by Hecuba's confidence and skill, maaayyyyybe ;) You are so welcome man, I am always touched by your kind words and hope to never disappoint. Thank you :) Everyone here is safe and healthy, I hope the same is true for you.

OBSERVER01: At last XD The first time showing them, even canon has shown us nothing. And I am so glad you agree. It just feels like Azazel/Yasaka were so perfect for each other in terms of age, position and personality. I am honestly surprised I haven't seen those two paired up more.

Spectrvs: As usual, I sent a full reply to your review via PM :) Yea, all canon told us of them was they were so busy they didn't have time to raise Rossweisse, so workaholics felt their personality type but I had a lot of freedom to work with. I never considered a reunion of that many dragons...gosh that'd be a sight! And don't miss Kuroka lol, she hasn't gone anywhere, just another arc or 2 before that nekoshou system will be coming up, I hope you like the results :D Thank you as always for the review and kind words. You stay safe and happy too...big hugs :D

Dragonx411: Hahaha, I am glad you agree. I saw Sairaorg as the type who likes to boast and have a good back and forth with his opponent. Implying to Issei he'd try to grope his own Queen like Issei does felt in character to me too XD And thank you, Dorian had to finally grow a bit more out of the naïve white knight personality he started with. He'll still be a nice guy, don't get me wrong...but he realizes things won't always turn out how one might want. I am glad you enjoyed the chapter :D

WinterRuneWolf: He does seem the jolly happy father type now doesn't he? ;) I haven't had a chance to include him for some time, that chapter will be most fun to write. Hopefully he picks something Dorian might stand a chance at...as the 8th strongest being in the world, he's a littttllllee outclassed fighting him XD

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

"Alright everyone!" A voluptuous woman with light auburn hair and blue eyes shouted with cheerful energy. "Reach higher towards the sky, hold that pose just a few more minutes. Excellent form Rossweisse, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were a goddess too."

The room was wide open filled with two dozen people, Dorian finding himself as the sole man among the bunch. Convinced by Herja to try everything, he had decided after several days to attempt the Yoga Class they had found while out on the town. In addition, they hoped it may help Rossweisse grow more in-tune with the spiritual before her attempt at the trials in the coming days. It was not going well, as he was certain would be the case. While the rest of the group, Rossweisse and Thrud among them, were expertly standing with a leg up bent back towards their body and hands reaching for the sky, Dorian was barely achieving the latter. His leg was lifted shaking left and right as he strove to balance and failing.

"Mr. Held," she approached him for a one-on one discussion making sure no one else heard. "We are doing a Tree pose, not a Salutation."

"I'm working on it," he insisted with a growing hint of frustration. He had gained significant skills and techniques during his time training, unfortunately contortionism was not one of them. He was well behind the sequence of poses of the rest of the class.

"Focus on yourself," the woman visiting from Olympus, the goddess of the hearth Hestia, insisted. Carefully, she took his ankle with the gentlest of touches, helping him slowly shift it into place amazing even he that he was capable of such flexibility. "The Tree Pose is all about proper weight distribution, focus on using your foot to balance your body and…try to avoid any distractions."

She said the last line with a hint of playfulness looking out over the room. While Dorian wore his gym sweats and sleeveless shirt, the other women had tight pants that left little to the imagination, many with sports bras showing off their midriff. Rossweisse and Thrud were no exception, the sweat of the exertion sliding down their bodies and causing their hair to stick to their faces, Hestia had spotted Dorian glancing each way towards the pair more than once. She found it adorable, but evident the teen was far from having a clear mind.

"One step at a time," she continued her explanation. "You have an excellent core which is necessary for the Tree form, it can open up your entire body and your Muladhara, your Root Chakra."

"I…think I got it," Dorian groaned as the goddess changed her pose, bending a leg to touch the back of her head. To his horror, everyone successfully followed suit. As he slowly moved to the next sequence in line, he made the mistake of glancing back to Rossweisse just as she bent forward into the pose known as Extended Dog, her curvaceous butt hanging in the air.

Dorian lost balance almost immediately, stumbling backwards and faceplanting into the soft mat. He just laid there a few moments as if waiting long enough would cause others to forget his shame.

"I told you those exercises would come in handy," Thrud muttered to Rossweisse fully aware her years of insistence on keeping a healthy body was what allowed her friend to keep up. It took all her composure to not chuckle at their beloved, all the strength in the world did not necessarily equate to good posture.

"You'll get the hang of it," Hestia assured Dorian once the class had ended and was being let out. "You are so kind to use my flame to help many I cannot reach; I'll stick with you as long as it takes! No matter how many months!"

"So, I'm that hopeless?" The visiting goddess sweat dropped a little at the unintentional insinuation. He threw a smile her way to let her know he was only joking. "Iggy recommended I try it at least."

"She was such a treat to work with," Hestia gushed remembering the young woman's skill in her class. "I've never seen someone so flexible her first time. It's like she can make her body do whatever she puts her mind to."

Well, you aren't far off. Iggy had told him she could take on any appearance she wished, he wondered if that included what it was capable of.

"Same time tomorrow?" Hestia asked without losing a beat, collecting her gym bag still absolutely shining as if the entire exercise had been the easiest thing in the world.

"I'll try," Dorian pulled himself up. "We have some shoots for a few more High King episodes, but if we finish early, I'll be here!"

"No rush, the proprietor of this place is in for the duration," she motioned over towards a dark-skinned, purple-haired woman with a bindi upon her forehead welcoming newcomers and bidding those departing a good day. "Akhila is from the realm of Svarloka itself. Oh, it's just wonderful seeing so many traversing mythology bounds. Let me get that for you."

Hestia placed a hand on Dorian's head, a small flame resting upon it. As with the power he had learned from entering the Olympian lands, he felt all fatigue and weariness depart his body. Unlike his own, hers seemed all encompassing, truly the difference between a novice and god.

"Svarloka, is that one of the Hindu realms?" Hestia nodded to Thrud's question. "Lady Freyja saw no issue with a small business moving in trying to spread its wings. She is terribly busy, but maybe we can get to talk to her more sometime."

"Definitely, for the meantime," Dorian looked over to Rose and Thrud having finished changing into their casual clothes. "I saw an ice cream stand just next door…they're having a sale," his words caused Rossweisse's eyes to perk up.

"I suppose we can splurge a little for that then. Not too much though!"

"Last one there has to pay for it," Thrud called out, rushing past the two. "Dorian, don't you dare lose on purpose!"

"Oh shi…Rose, let's go!" He took her hand as the two took off quickly out the door chuckling at her impromptu challenge. They barely had time to wave to the proprietor Akhila before blasting out the door.

The foreign woman waved the trio farewell as they disappeared into the shopping district nearby with Rossweisse and Dorian striving to keep up with Thrud's lead. Her smile faded as she pressed a red gem sewn into her gown only once Hestia had departed as well.

"First interaction successful," she whispered low. "The Einherjar is gone, my Lord can you hear me?"

"What were your results?" The gruff voice of the Hindu god Indra demanded as it crackled over the hidden communication device.

"Same as expected. I attempted a minor spell; he should have slowed to approximately half speed compared to the rest of the room. There was no effect, he didn't even sense anything was being cast, like it just passed through him. One to increase aging, paralyze movement and dilate time. All without any effect."

"Anything else?"

He does not usually ask so many questions, Akhila noticed having become accustomed to her lord and god being able to foresee things even before they happen. Is this boy so beyond his sight?

"One of the other occupants, a Valkyrie, was also unaffected despite her proximity raising the possibility of being included in the effect. It is my belief from observation that he has a radius about him that causes a similar inoculation against temporal spells."

"Noted, you have done well," he complimented. "Continue observing him, if he shows any signs of twisting this power to his own ends, inform me and I will finish him myself."

"Yes, Lord Indra," she concluded before releasing the gem, returning her studio to a sense of calm once more.

He appears to just be a boy, but we have been fooled before. The Hero Faction has one younger than him capable of far more evil. I shall do my duty, see what he is capable of…and trust my Lord has the best recourse on how to proceed in mind.

"So, this is the Yoga place I'd heard so much of."

"We are currently clo…LORD ODIN!" Akhila stuttered, realizing what she'd just been saying before he arrived. "I-I was not aware of you having an appointment. Regretfully, the next class does not begin for several hours."

"Oh no worry of that," he insisted with a laugh. "Just scoping the place out, never too late to get more flexible for the Misses at home. I swear, she can bend her legs so far back that…well, suffice to say I've always come up lacking."

"I would be honored to lead your session personally. Why, perhaps now…"

"Now, you seem to be busy," the woman swallowed a little louder than intended as his gaze drooped ever so slightly. "I saw young Dorian just departing, good lad, he and all his friends. You could say Freyja and I are very protective of them. We are trying to get him up to snuff for…a special surprise. It would be a hard blow if anything were to happen to him."

Akhila's breath caught in her throat as the aura before her seemed to grow heavy, the candles blowing out despite the lack of any breeze. Odin still looked at her, but it felt more as if he stared through her. His false eye intently focused utterly upon her; the ultimatum was clear beyond any doubt.

Leave Dorian Held be.

"I…I…"

"Oh, silly me look at the time," he checked his wrist despite the lack of a watch. "Our one-on-one will have to wait. I hope you are prepared; I plan to be able to lift at least one ankle to my head before long. Great to see so many coming to our lands."

Akhila only watched until he was finally gone in the distance before releasing a pent up breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. It was the closest to a killing intent the woman ever felt. Even with her Lord Indra's command, she worried trying her experiments on Dorian again.

He knows, beyond a doubt he knows. Does he let me remain to continue fostering relations with our people or does he have another purpose? Regardless of Lord Indra's command, I should wait some time before interacting with Mr. Held again.

Villa…

"You really don't have to," Iggy insisted as Hecuba seemed to teleport across the kitchen faster than she could follow. "I am flattered, but…"

"No buts," she pointed the whisk towards the daughter of Yggdrasil, adjusting her white apron with the other hand. "No one should go through life without having a good well-balanced breakfast. And no, not needing food to survive is no excuse! Cover your eyes, no peeking."

"Yes ma'am," she sat back down with her hands folded over her face recognizing the stern gaze in the former Spartan's eyes. She was in a full commander mode and no words would placate her. "Um, what did you make?"

"There was insufficient intel on your preferences. So, I made a little of everything. Okay, just a minute, and…you may look."

Iggy opened her eyes, a smile spreading across them as the cart rolled in assailing her senses. Eggs, toast, bread, oatmeal, even grains, fish and other delicacies from a half dozen different cultures were arrayed before her. She had never seen so much food made solely for one person while she was in a physical form, finding her mouth was starting to water particularly at the site of the blueberry pancakes.

"The food Dorian and the others ate always looked good," she admitted, the plate in her hands practically shaking as she tried to choose what to sample first. "But the smells, the textures, it all looks so wonderful! How do you decide?"

"Just follow your nose." Hecuba could not resist a wink at the sheer childlike glee she got from eyeing the feast before her. She knew she'd have to make sure Dorian's soul mate didn't eat herself into a food coma. "It's all about trial and error."

"I will, but only if you'll join me."

"What?" Hecuba had expected her to dive in and take it all, but now looked up at her offering a second plate.

"I can't possibly eat everything. If you show me your favorites, maybe I will be able to choose mine. That and I would love your company."

I can't say no to that!

"Well, a good balance is important," she explained as the young woman hung on her every word. "Eggs are a staple in many cultures, some paximadi bread and a bit of tea always picks me up for the day." She selected each one and placed them on her plate with Iggy imitating her movements while also claiming several pancakes and a particularly fresh-looking grapefruit. "Maybe ketchup on those eggs?"

It wasn't long before Iggy was deep in her meal, Hecuba impressed by how enthusiastically she took to everything. The young spirit's sense of propriety only held out so long before she was inhaling everything she touched. A soft moan escaped her lips each time she discovered a new flavor completely forgetting about the buildup of crumbs and ketchup smears around her cheeks. Hecuba ate her own food, entranced by her enthusiasm.

"I am glad you like it," she finished off the bowl of oatmeal in front of her. "You looked a little down the last few days, like you needed a pick-me up." Iggy stopped eating for a moment as if taking her words more seriously than intended.

"Maybe a bit," she finally wiped her mouth. "The food is delicious! I can only imagine the hard work to make it all."

"Not as much as you'd think, multi-tasking and access to the ingredients are the hardest parts. Fortunately, this place seemed to have everything. Maybe you can ask Dorian to cook these sometime."

"He…" Iggy sweat dropped a little bit. "…isn't the best cook."

"That bad?" Hecuba tried to contain her enthusiasm at learning something more of Dorian. The little details that didn't come up in everyday conversation.

"Ms. Lily maaaaayyyyy have forbidden Dorian from going near any stoves…or toasters." She scratched the back of her head awkwardly as she took a bite of a piece of toast. "Is this harder part removable?"

"The crust? Sure," Hecuba took the remaining pieces and carefully cut them up, saving the strips for herself so as not to waste. "Who is Ms. Lily?"

"Someone important to Dorian," she smiled. "She was very kind back in the states. Why, when we first tried to warm up a bagel, he nearly set the kitchen on fire."

"HOW did he manage to do that?" Hecuba couldn't believe such a blunder was possible from the man she had sworn to follow since Olympus.

"Do what?" Bennia, Xenovia, Seekvaira and Irina stuck their heads around the corner. "Oh wow, we get a whole buffet?"

"Actually, I cooked all of this for…"

"Of course! Come in everyone," Iggy moved to the side so the others could join her at the table. "These waffles are to die for!" She was truly happy as the members of the team who hadn't left funneled in to start selecting their meals. The young Sacred Gear spirit's nose sniffed several times, catching the whiff of something new she had to try. "And what is that?"

"That," Hecuba proudly answered. "Is what we call strawberry jam."

"Oh, it's so sweet! Anyway, about Dorian and the bagel…" She continued as suddenly the team was far more interested in her words than the buffet before them.

Elsewhere…

Azazel stretched his arms as he waited, having arrived at the location grumbling slightly. He'd spent the better part of the morning trying to make his way into Dorian's room seeking any signs he was more of a teenage boy than he let on regarding the fairer sex among other things. The fallen angel hadn't gotten far, hitting a teleportation mine that launched him halfway across Kuoh into a public pool. He had been persistent, setting off four more into messier locations before giving up.

How many mines can that little reaper make?

He would have tried more, but it was on the latest attempt to circumnavigate Dorian's defenses that he sensed it. It had been subtle, nine and a half out of ten other people surely would not have caught it he was certain, but it was there. A subtle magical tremor just outside of Kuoh Town and by extension Rias' territory. All he had to do was follow it to the source, a small, dilapidated building long abandoned. Despite its appearance, he could sense something inside.

"Well?" He called out, his voice echoing down the darkened halls. "I am guessing you were looking for me? I can't imagine anyone else but myself and maybe a half dozen others could have sensed that power. Did you expect me specifically to remember it…Ophis?"

In response to his words, a silhouette stepped out of the shadows from the far end of the room. It was a little girl with long black hair and leader of the Khaos Brigade herself, the Ouroboros Dragon. All twelve of his wings unfurled at her arrival, despite his tense appearance she looked completely unfazed.

"You are the one who watches the Red Dragon Emperor? Or is he an Oppai Dragon? I can barely tell the difference," she asked with the calmest of tones like one discussing the weather or how their day is going. Azazel didn't like it, his guard ever up.

"Watches, trains, gives advice on the fairer sex and occasionally protects, especially from you." He knew he couldn't defeat her, a being considered stronger than any other in the world but all the same he kept his playful bravado up.

"I have ordered my subordinates to leave them be," Ophis continued. "Issei Hyoudou changed in Kyoto, and I want to know how."

"Changed? You mean his potential?" Azazel kept his replies short, the idea she may be trying to interrogate him for information ever in the back of his mind. "Other Red Dragon Emperors have unlocked that in past lives. Why are you so interested?"

"Not just that," she tilted her head curiously. "There is an…unusual growth within him I do not recognize. I want to speak to him; can you do this for me?"

"You ask for a lot after you tried to have him killed at least twice."

"I never ordered his death," she answered truthfully. "The Hero Faction was to lure Great Red out of the Dimensional Gap, I want to go home."

"But you didn't dissuade them from taking steps that would cause casualties, did you?" Ophis just stared back, clearly not seeing the gravity of his words, neither confirming nor refuting them. "Even if, for the sake of argument, I led you right to their doorstep, you have to realize you wouldn't get far. As the leader of the Khaos Brigade, the other allies wouldn't let you within a mile of him without raining Hell on you."

"Perhaps a bargain could be made," the Fallen Angel did not like how unnaturally calm she was over this whole thing.

"You claim you called off your goons?" She nodded in response. "How about breaking up the Khaos Brigade, that would be a good start."

"The Brigade was along before my leadership and will likely persist once I am back home," she was so certain of her end goal. "Even if I commanded its dissolution, the various divisions would remain intact, it is not in my power to give without killing them all."

So, she actually considered it? If she's not lying, this could be going somewhere. It's like the Brigade is a tool to her, she doesn't agree in its goal of chaos?

"If you call off those Old Satan Faction cronies protesting and attacking, I will let you monitor us from a safe distance."

"I no longer control the Old Satan Faction," Azazel silently cursed again as a new excuse came up. "The Leviathan mother and the other two were my sole contact. They are dead and she is in your custody. Those who rage do so under their own leadership."

Moloch? Shit, another idea down the drain. She doesn't seem to be lying, but it's hard to tell with her.

"I could be present should the elder one attempt anything," Ophis finally piqued Azazel's attention as he suspected to whom she referred.

"The elder one?"

"The one beyond my memory who has risen after ages of silence."

"You mean Dorian's spooky stalker? She never left him alone, did she?"

"She is the last, always with him in one form or another. The last who remained within this plane, where the others went even I cannot see. She is dangerous and unpredictable."

"That matches everyone in this room," he retorted. "But you are old, ancient by all standards. You know her, don't you?" His skin shivered in excitement as she nodded coldly to him. "Kassaegtha, I believe her name was."

"If it is, it's one she chose. Her kind have little use for such things among our realms. She does not interfere in our affairs, at least she was not supposed to."

"Does that scare you?" She didn't answer, just staring at him with her dark emotionless eyes. "Tell you what. We have a major Rating Game coming up that would be a perfect target for attack, as long as nothing happens, other assaults from the Brigade stop and you tell me what you know of these Old Gods, her in particular, I will see what I can do about setting up a meeting. How does that sound?"

"That is acceptable," Ophis answered, sitting down atop a box with her feet swaying back and forth as if she were the child she appeared to be. "We each have our interest, I don't know what she wants out of the Einherjar, but Issei Hyoudou, I feel as if his power can lead to me going home."

Elsewhere…

"I…can't fight it," Cy-Devil Knight groaned as the lights within her wings flickered from blue to red and back again. "Please kill me before I try to do the same to you!"

"Not an option!" The battered king knelt before her, gripping her back supportingly as she lay upon the cold floor. "I saved your life before; do you truly believe I'd be capable of taking it away? Fight it! That's an order above all others!"

"You never had to command me to do anything," she coughed between words as the pain resisting the new commands grew worse and worse. "You had my loyalty and more ere I ever entered your service…my High King."

"Cy-Devil Knight," he brought her closer as her lips moved to tell him something else.

"At least, use my true name. It's…"

"Aaaaaand CUT!" The voice echoed across the stage as the normal lights turned on again. "Not bad Mr. Held but more feeling! This is the last scene of the day; the emotions must have the entire audience in tears! You too, Lady Agares. I want to believe you've held back your buried feelings for years and the pain of knowing you may kill him is worse than any physical harm!"

"Cy-Devil Knight too?" Bennia whispered to Zepar from the backstage, their own scenes already concluded for the day. She was silently muttering to herself as she undid the safety harness. Despite her ability to fly, she was not permitted to for health and safety reasons, and it irked her to no end. "Who wrote this script? Bet you fifty on Odin or Azazel."

"I would not take a gamble I am sure to lose," he answered flatly as the alarm rang out signaling a break. "Come on, there are still some bagels left on the cart." His promise of snacks did not take coaxing for the young Reaper to follow close behind.

"I can ask them to rewrite it if it's too awkward," Dorian offered as he helped Seekvaira up. "I should have seen the signs they were building up the last few episodes."

"No need, it is very…enjoyable," the Agares heir admitted as she straightened out her hair styled into a ridiculous shape to denote her personality change to the audience. "I didn't think I'd have time for such frivolities, but father was far more encouraging than I thought."

"Lord Agares is okay with your role on the show?" Dorian asked with a raised eyebrow admittedly believing that as the heir to her house she'd be far too busy for such things combined with her time in the Crossroads.

"He is more than okay with it; he'll be attending future live events. I assured him I could still maintain the family duties, but he…" She paused, picturing the look on his face when she advised her request for leave to go to Vanaheim. Deep down, he wanted Seekvaira to relax more in the face of what she will have to do in her adult life. It was part of why he had coaxed her love of the mecha genre as an outlet for her creative side. He looked so, for lack of a better word, relieved. "…he fully gave his blessing." She eyed his arm curiously, knowing the advanced machinery housed within. "Does it feel different?"

"More than you'd think," he held out his hand. "But I'm getting used to it, why do you ask?"

"Well, if it was ever okay for me to take a look at it, I could learn so much from...um, Dorian. I do believe it's 4:30 unless my watch has stopped."

"Oh shoot!" Dorian turned, grabbing his coat off the wall. "I lost track of time; I'll take the Roads. We can finish the scene later!" With a flash of azure, he vanished within the portal. Knowing the time dilation within, he was likely already back at the palace before it had fully closed.

"The High King would save a village adding to his domain but find solace far beyond that humble place. Hmmm, humble place? Maybe simple surroundings, no that's just silly." Irina looked over her lines for the narration to the ending segment. She had enjoyed the previous stand-in for the Oppai Dragon Show so much that she had requested to try it out for the High King series. The young angel never imagined she could feel so comfortable in front of a huge crowd, secretly hoping in the back of her mind she could help Hecuba past such fears.

"More emphasis on the chest," Kuroka puffed out hers as an example. "Really sell it to the back row!" She could barely contain herself as Irina imitated her movements exactly.

"So, how are things between you and queeny?" Bennia leaned on the tray munching on her food as she grinned to Zepar trying to keep his cool.

"Very well," Zepar's mood perked up at mention of Akeno. "Now that our affiliation is public, we have been going out more often, she's even let me teach her more of the abilities of our people. We realized she can actually condense her blood to…"

"I wasn't talking about something boring like your training power ups," she interrupted, leaning a little closer. "I've seen her walking around with an extra pep to her step, are you her little motivator?"

"She inspires me just as much as I do her," he smiled, his calm disappointing Bennia who loved trying to get him flustered and embarrassed. "Her team's match against Sairaorg begins soon, I am going to be there to see it."

"We all will be," Bennia fired back. "The final tussle of the big Young Devil Rating Game involving our friends? I have money on this!"

"Who did you bet on?" Zepar was no longer surprised by her antics.

"You'll know when we're eating out and I'm buying." She winked back, grinning mischievously. "I know who you'd vote for, no matter how you think it'll turn out." Zepar straightened his tie as if to assert she was certainly correct. Do you think Irina will ever realize Kuroka likes teasing her too much?"

"Straighter, enunciate more!" Kuroka shouted across the way, Irina standing so straight she was practically floating on her tippy toes reciting her lines. They had to admit, despite how ridiculous she looked, she was getting better.

"Perhaps in time," Zepar analyzed the situation. "Should we tell her?"

"In a few minutes," Bennia leaned back with her food. "After she finishes this scene, I wanna see how it ends!"

Vanaheim Palace…

"Well, we've been getting what information we could," Yasaka reported from her seat. Her features shimmered in an out revealing she was a projection, still being unable to leave Kyoto for the time in case the Brigade made another move against the Ley Lines. "But the three Hero Faction women appear to have just been pawns. They were aware of the attempt to bring out Great Red from the Dimensional Gap, but no other long-term goals of their group."

"What of Connla, the Sacred Gear wielder?" Lady Freyja asked from her own seat.

She had gathered for a meeting of representatives of the alliance. Normally Odin would be present, but he had matters to attend to elsewhere and had been quite busy in recent weeks. Beside her sat Ajuka Beelzebub, Poseidon from Olympus, Shemhazai of the Grigori, with Yasaka across the table from Kyoto and lastly a blonde-haired woman wearing similar armor to Michael from Heaven. This was the archangel Gabriel, known as the most beautiful woman in Heaven and the main reason Ajuka had to come for the devils as Serafall saw her as her greatest rival. Dorian felt smaller beside so many titans but did not let it show, sitting in his full uniform among them representing the Crossroads.

We aren't big enough yet to be what Freyja envisioned, the young man mused as he looked over the schedule thoroughly. But when we are a true force, we can be more active in these meetings. I have my time working with Lady Freyja, but more experience can't hurt. He looked up towards the ceiling, Skilja flying above with familiar aqua-colored eyes. Rossweisse couldn't be present, but that didn't mean she couldn't also watch and learn as he was.

"He is loyal to a fault," the Kyuubi woman sighed. "He gives many proclamations of his Lord Cao Cao's imminent victory, but little information to go from. In truth, if they had any plans after achieving Ophis' goals, it does not appear to have been common knowledge."

"Surely they should have known if they succeeded that they couldn't possibly have slain Great Red as they desired," Poseidon pointed out. "As powerful as this group is, they were bested by Mr. Held and Mr. Hyoudou. They are barely a speck before the Dragon of Dragons."

Harsh, but he's not wrong.

"Cao Cao was supremely confident he could handle him," Dorian spoke up this time. "Rossweisse recognized a seal on his hand of Olympian origin during the battle."

"What kind?"

"One of summoning."

"So, they were going to bring someone, or something to fight Great Red?" Ajuka thought aloud. "Ophis herself? I can think of no other on their side who would stand a chance."

"I doubt it," Dorian voiced his opinion, holding the attention of the room. "She said all she wants to go home, from what I've heard, any battle between them would be huge and catastrophic."

"Two apt words to describe them," Gabriel's soft voice graced the table. "If the Heavenly Dragons battling could shake Heaven and Hell, those two could destroy all with such a clash and it would not be swift in coming."

"Then we will ensure that never happens," Freyja asserted. "For the moment, Ophis has abstained from actual combat and I pray will keep it that way. We can return to this when we have more information, for the moment I would like to turn your attention to page 13."

Dorian flipped pages, eyes widening as he recognized the familiar photo of the staff Katerea had used at the Peace Summit only later to be claimed by the strange being following him, Kassaegtha. Freyja noticed his tension, resisting the urge to try and comfort him.

"Thanks to our agreement with Indra, he seems to be slowly becoming more amenable to joining our alliance. For the moment, however, he did keep his word and provided evidence of the original location of this weapon."

"Information we seem keen to avoid asking how he came by," Poseidon muttered under his breath. Despite Freyja's agreement with his words, she pretended not to have heard and continued while making sure to avoid mention of his interest in Dorian.

"Katerea asserts she was not aware of the staff's origin, that it had been provided by an unknown benefactor to the Khaos Brigade, well, this is where it once laid."

On the screen in the center of the table, a vast expanse of ocean was visible. As far as any in the room could tell it was just an empty part of the ocean. Clearly, however this was not the case.

"At the bottom of this portion of the Atlantic," Freyja showed exact coordinates. "I do not need to stress that this information will not leave this room."

"Even I have difficulty reaching the absolute bottom," Poseidon grumbled as his fists clenched. "How could such a place have been missed in all these years yet was accessed to provide the Old Satan Faction this staff? And what is down there?"

"We don't know," she admitted, noticing Dorian eyeing the screen curiously. While there was nothing there, something pricked at the back of his subconscious, something that could sense more from that empty swath of ocean. "What little surveillance can tell from that depth, there is at least one structure. We were hoping you could make a pathway to it."

"To what end?"

"We want to determine what exactly is there down, and if any other relics of the Old Gods exists. The fact the Khaos Brigade somehow had access is disconcerting." She thought Ajuka's eyes may actually show more emotion as he considered her words, the others starting to whisper among each other. "Mr. Held, can your Roads reach this location underwater?"

"I will have to consult with Ratatoskr," he pondered, his face warped in thought. "I never considered going anywhere under the ocean."

"Then until you can determine this, I am hoping you can potentially help us create a pathway down there," she turned to Poseidon once again. "This portion is not in your territory, but we can all agree your skills are the most required."

"It will take time," the cogs were already turning in his head. "I can have magicians there to start enchanting the water, but that is a slow process. If whatever is down there is fully submerged, longer."

"I would like to request the Crossroads to assist once we find what is down there," Dorian voiced unexpectedly. "If there are Old God relics or anything left behind, I want to look."

"The one of them remaining, Kassaegtha, is interested in you," Gabriel was the first to speak up and break the awkward silence. "Perhaps it would help tell why. I vote to allow this."

"Second," Ajuka raised his hand followed hesitantly by Freyja. She had all the confidence in Dorian, but the idea of the Old Gods being involved, beings beyond even those assembled at the table, filled her with concern.

"It is settled then, Lord Poseidon's people will work for us to get down to that depth, at which time Mr. Held will investigate with his team. That actually segues nicely into a question regarding…"

The meeting continued for several more hours before finally letting out none too soon for Dorian who was feeling the fatigue. Even with the long talks, he took in every word, tactic, choices in phrasing among other strategies he added to the back of his mind.

Kind words, strong presence with a bit of power behind it. If I'm going to be sitting in on these full-time, I'll need to learn the ins and outs. Seekvaira is used to this, I can ask her for some tips, Rias was more than happy to impart advice too. He had learned the benefit of seeking help from others, even Suzaku's words from Kyoto still running through his head on being a good leader at a young age.

"Lady Gabriel," Ajuka intercepted the representative of Heaven as the room was letting out. An air of tension rose between them sensed by the innocent archangel. Even so, her smile never wavered.

"Oh, Lord Beelzebub, I was surprised to see you today. Normally it is the others who sit in on such meetings."

"I asked for this one so I could speak with Michael, but you showed up instead. Admittedly I'd feel much better at my lab, but my assistant can take care of things until I return."

"My brother has been very busy working to keep the Heaven system going. It would seem interacting so much with those our Father considered enemies is more taxing than we expected."

"No doubt, how I would love to get a look at that device," he admitted. "I trust you heard of the recent findings in regard to Dorian Held and a disease among our people?"

"The sleep disease? Simply dreadful," the concern in her voice was honest despite being towards their former enemies. "But the young man did something to alleviate it?"

"Without ever knowing how, the doctors say they are finding good progress using his samples. It was much easier they say upon realizing his aura and blood was indeed counteracting not the disease itself, but a magical component they are still looking into."

"A magical component in an illness?" Ajuka tried reading her as best he could. If the woman was deceiving him, she was the best actress he'd met in his long life. "But I thought this disease had plagued your kind for centuries."

"Millennia in fact. I searched our oldest records dating back to Lilith's early days and found that the first who succumbed to it was in fact one of her children."

"Then I pray you to find this cure in its entirety." She bowed with a smile. "Disease is one of the natural pains all must bear, but that doesn't mean finding a cure doesn't bring joy to my heart. I apologize but I must return to Heaven as there is much to do. But I wish you a good day Lord Beelzebub."

I should have known better; the Older Satan watched her teleport away in a shining golden circle of light. Not many of the elder archangels survived the war, the rest are new or far lower rank than would have served next to God himself. Questioning her would only have only served to make me seem the aggressor. I just find it so interesting this disease turns out to be partially magical in nature, and that the first recorded instance was on the same day the earliest recorded battle between Heaven and Hell took place…

Vanaheim…

The White Dragon Emperor stared out across the verdant fields stretching out from the window to the room he and the others had been given lodgings. He grumbled, having found the last few hours talking with the God Odin grated on his sanity. An agreement had been reached and he wasn't sure how unbearable it would be, but it gave them a sense of peace if nothing else.

He called me a butt dragon? Albion roared in sorrow in Vali's head. Because you just HAD to answer his question of where you fancy women most…

They are just words, Vali grimaced internally. Despite his stoic outer appearance, the Heavenly Dragon that shared his soul could sense he was just as perturbed by the title as he was.

The Daughter of Yggdrasil and her mother must NEVER hear that rumor! I will not succumb to the same reputation as the red one. The Red Dragon Emperor is my rival, not the Boob Dragon Emperor! If she were to see me as a Butt Dragon Emperor…!

"Calm down!" Vali shouted trying to placate his companion who was currently having a minor breakdown in his head. "You keep saying she is the greatest woman you've met in your long years; I am sure she wouldn't jump to conclusions."

"Are you talking about me nya?" Vali realized too late he was talking aloud and that a familiar black cat lurked nearby. In a flash, Kuroka materialized beside him leaning on the railing with the smile he had come to expect of her.

"Kuroka," he looked up acting as if there was no reaction to seeing her. "I hope the Crossroads are treating you well."

"More than well," she dangled her feet beside him while looking out at the lowering sun. "It's downright cozy, I had my own room and everything until ending up in Dorian's." She was surprised at the sideward glance, the slightest hint of wanting to know more quickly drowned out by his emotionless ambiance.

"That is good, have they finished that set of yours?" She shook her head without the slightest hint of disappointment. He knew full well she was patient and knew how to wait for what she wanted. "It seems your dream will be coming to fruition soon."

"It could have come a little sooner in more ways than one," she lounged like a cat out along the railing showing off cleavage. "You weren't interested."

"You were more than clear on what you wanted to give," Vali turned away without showing outward interest in the tantalizing form before him. "There were plenty of prospects for that if you wished."

And that was all you were offering, nothing more.

"I was so curious," she continued without pause. "Why you turned me down, I thought for sure you'd be interested if no one else. After all, they say those who are part dragon naturally attract others. Even Issei is working on a few showing interest…but not you."

Vali glanced back towards her for a moment, an act that only made her think more on what she hadn't considered before.

"And then I thought what goes hand in hand with that which you and Issei share that could explain such an impossible choice. You…are greedy."

She sees through you partner.

"I was offering the night of a lifetime, a moment with no attachments for my own ends and that wasn't enough for you, was it? You wanted something more."

Vali didn't answer, remaining silent and cross-armed.

"You don't need to answer, just a little theory of mine," she hopped down, straightening her kimono. "I'll admit, that was all I was thinking of then, having a few brats to keep the species going while having some fun with a mighty dragon. Since then, though…" The image flashed in her mind, the reflection of her transformation during Kyoto that reminded her so greatly of her mother and what that meant to her. "…well, let's just say I've been able to reconsider priorities."

"Is there a reason for this line of questioning? I don't see a point to…"

Even Vali's demeanor shuddered as he turned just in time to receive a peck on the cheek from the coy nekoshou, her smile still mischievous but far less so than before. It looked to him as if she were being sincere, the time away from the team changing her more than he had guessed.

"Just saying thank you," she stepped back with her hands behind her back. "I may be a Crossroad lady now, but don't be a stranger if you ever need help. I know how difficult it is for you to ask. I have to get going now, tonight is my turn to give Dorian a loving touch nya. Ciao"

A portal opened beside her, the dark-haired woman falling back into it before it abruptly shut behind her. Vali waited to ensure he was alone before wiping away at the spot she had kissed him, the tingling sensation of Sage Arts energy left behind. Not even he could deny that it felt good though the sentiment was quickly shaken from his mind.

You have a truly loyal woman there. I told you even then there was more to her than she was letting on. Perhaps you may come to regret not taking her up on that offer when it was on the table.

Villa…

"I heard your run-in with Rossweisse's parents was not as peaceful as my own with Akeno's," Zepar remarked as he and Dorian made their way back to their rooms under the cover of night. The two were exhausted from the day's activities

"I am not so lucky, but at least it turned out for the best. That and…thank you Zepar, for what you said at the party. It helped."

"I only spoke the truth," he reached out to punch him in the arm, an act of familiarity he had seen others do and attempted to emulate. Dorian looked a bit surprised based on what he knew of the young fallen angel but returned the gesture all the same.

"Seekvaira is looking forward to this last match of the Devil's Rating Game Tournament," Dorian looked ahead to the coming days. "It's going to be taking place on her family's floating island. I would LOVE to see where the minerals for Evil Pieces came from. The structures in Vanaheim float naturally, do you think this place does so by a similar principal?"

"I am sure Lady Agares will be more than happy to explain the scientific or magical process in utter detail. I got to see her workshop last week, her technical knowledge is impressive. "Have you had a chance to contact Lady Gremory to wish her well on the coming fight?"

"I want it to be a surprise," he grinned proudly. "We finished the episodes, and I am feeling spryer than ever. We can return to the tower and wish them luck in person before heading to Agares Island. Also, I can make sure Azazel didn't touch any of my things while we were away."

"Why not ask Bennia? She was ecstatic to offer such services, she can lend a few of her teleportation runes to guard your room."

"Oh…she did," Zepar was almost scared of the grin on Dorian's face as if hoping the Grigori Governor-General had stumbled into one. "Akeno even offered a few surprises if needed."

Akeno, she told me things were a bit on edge, the young fallen angel thought as they approached Dorian's room. The love of his life had hinted at the friction between Rias and Issei in the past week but would not give exact details out of their privacy. Zepar could sense it in her voice, however. Similar to the light that could emit from his wings, he had grown adept at sensing hidden turmoil during his time with Baraqiel. Maybe we can help them, if even a little. We'll go back to cheer them on, he thought to himself unwilling to share what he had heard even with Dorian. She has been filled with such life in recent days since Kyoto, I will not let that falter…not in the slightest.

"Dorian, ssshhhh," Rossweisse hushed the two with a whisper as soon as the door swung open. Laying on the bed was Iggy fast asleep even snoring surprising them they could not hear it from outside. "She fell asleep waiting for you. Don't you dare disturb her."

"I've never seen her fall asleep before I got back," Dorian whispered in return, taking off his jacket. She looked so peaceful, only upon closer inspection spotting a few crumbs around her mouth and empty trays of food near the room's kitchen.

"Hecuba was over for dinner," Kuroka informed, having already crawled into bed beside the sleeping spirit. "Our little Iggy was quite the glutton; I think her coma is food related. Listen to your Valkyrie," she patted the bed gently. "Come on in, no fuss, we can't disturb her."

"Have a good night Zepar," the two waved farewell. In the time since he'd joined the Crossroads, Zepar and Dorian had been spending more time together. As the only men on the team other than Ratatoskr, a sense of brotherhood had formed between them. The young Einherjar started working himself out of his remaining clothes as Thrud joined the other three in bed to await him.

Have a good night Dorian Held. I know not how you survive with so many in a single bed, I barely know how I would last with the single angel in mine…

A gentle day in Vanaheim passes as the previous, time seeming to have little effect during their stay as Odin and Freyja prepare Dorian for something kept secret. Strange portents rest beneath the waves to be investigated another day. Until then, the Crossroads return home to wish their friends luck in the largest Rating Game of their career and perhaps help a certain Pawn past the shadow looming over his life. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D