Zane214252: That will happen for certain now The apple opened the path, he has to work to step through it.
Shadowedsoul2: I am glad you liked those breadcrumbs leading to the big reveal . To answer your questions, yes the number of pieces will depend on the power of the individual just like Evil Pieces. I can't answer the time immunity question yet, more to come on that. As for who, they'll certainly be Crossroad members, but not all who are necessarily already here. In regard to lifespans, it would add onto them though most of them with maybe the exception of Hecuba are already long-lived. I hope you've been doing great as well!
Lorenzo Macchiavelli: You are right, Norse mythology works so well with DxD, not enough stories that flesh those out. As for Dorian and Thrud moments, I hope you like the next few chapters
Mardier: I don't know what to say, thank you so much! That is one of the nicest things anyone has said about my writing. That has always been my hope with this, having original characters not only have their own story, but intertwine in meaningful ways with the main cast. I hope the wait wasn't too long.
Hollowreaper93: Well, on his way to being one As for the title…Dorian will have to earn that in his time growing into the title of Tyr.
reality deviant: Well, the Rias scene did happen in canon (end of season 4/Vol. 10) but it was different than I portrayed as I felt Rias needed to have a more meaningful moment than just thanking Issei for all he's done and develop a bit between them. That is a good point to Indra, in canon he seems to just do whatever he wants. Unlike there, though, he has a blind spot where he can't see the future as much as he'd like
xXwolfsterXx644: I hope the wait wasn't too long :D
runelt99: Thank you! And no worries on forgetting that, means more time to binge and less cliffhangers lol.
Okaze: At long last! And yes, the pieces do grant longer lifespans to those he would bring into his official team. Other than Hecuba, however, most already live pretty long lol. It truly means a lot you've been enjoying this all this time, hope you like this update!
fanficcyberman: Going from no home or family to so much…building it up slowly as I have has been killer but worth it. And you know it, who could NOT love Iggy's clothes? XD I am doing great and hope the same for you man! It is always great seeing your input on each chapter. I can never say that enough.
OBSERVER01: Hahaha, two dragons once so feared now given ridiculous nicknames that hurt to their core. Good thing they have Iggy to lend an ear to help them feel better.
Uday Sra: Thank you!
the1raptorjesus: That is wonderful to hear! I had to leave the signs, but glad they weren't too obvious. Thank you! *bows*
Gan315: I get what you mean, canon did show the reunion though it was SUPER short and she's never seen again lol. I sent a full reply to you via DM but I am glad you like where I'm going with Indra, he's arrogant and doesn't like it when someone doesn't fit into what he can see. And not to worry…Thrud gets her time
TheLycan2026: Hahaha, that warms my heart you liked the reveal so much! Been murder keeping it secret with the hints XD Thank you so much!
Guest1: You are probably right, at the time they said the fight could last for centuries which is why I thought then the series would end or have a real time jump. It could have been a great ending considering how much was wrapped up and taken care of. Vol. 21 will likely be the end of my story, but that is for the future
Optimus470: Wow, that is FAR in the future, the ExE gods are still barely known in canon. It's a little early to be judging powers, we're only in the equivalent of Vol. 9 of the series, if Issei's power to beat ExE was judged this early he'd have no hope either lol.
henderusmc: Thank you for the review and critique. It is a tricky balance having them showcase their new forms in major fights. I was concerned having them show up earlier and being known may hurt their impact (Sort of like Akeno's fallen angel form which is barely even mentioned in canon). You are right that the enemies being hidden is a big one since in canon there are traitors everywhere helping that along. It is my hope to have them proactive without being able to just find and best the enemies too easily, I hope the slow burn hasn't been too grueling lol. As for angst, you have nothing to worry about there, I am not a fan of angst for angst's sake either. I hope you enjoy my plans going forwad.
WinterRuneWolf: That I did XD, in DxD canon Tyr doesn't exist. Norse gods were listed related to Odin and his name wasn't brought up. It felt like the perfect opportunity to fill that void with my favorite Norse God. Well, the idea I wanted to get across was that apples aren't infinite, hence why Freyja at first wanted to give him one of hers before he was adopted. That being said, the few apples could be reserved for those closest to him…perhaps like a fiancé or wife *grins evilly* lol
DCosmicSage38: I am so glad! Well, in the later light novel Odin does adopt Vali which I think the author's intent was just as you said, to fill in that position of a God named Vali who exists in actual myth. It means a lot you liked my working Dorian in as Tyr, like with Vali he can be a Norse entity without being born directly as one. Alas, no spoilers for his final power level idea…had that planned a long time and I hope you enjoy my machinations. I hope the delay wasn't too long, but as for going all the way to Shin…I'll admit I need to consider that. If I did, it'd be nigh unrecognizable to canon as I'll admit I wasn't a fan of a lot leading up to ExE. But you never know for the future
Dragonx411: A lot happening at once :D I am so glad you liked it each step of the way. The break was definitely needed, but I am back now!
Cchang3: Well…you may not be far off from my ideas, but I can't give spoilers XD. Oh, the guy battling Future Loki during the Fenrir arc…well, I did say his name was Tyrson, not tyr… *glances left and right suspiciously* Thanks again as always!
Valtazar: Sounds interesting, though they are FAR from even hearing of the ExE gods. If I make it that far, I'd hope he has an answer for them.
JordanGenesis: Awww, you are too kind! From the very beginning I wanted the main cast to be fleshed out in ways from canon I wasn't fond of, your words mean a lot you've enjoyed my tweaks so far I don't know what to say other thank you, both for your kind words and the art you had made of your own character. Seeing the posts of your character on Deviantart was part of what pushed me to commission so much of my own to give it a visual narrative. If you have more of Richie done, I can't wait to see it
Guest2: I may have to check that out, I watched Fate a bit in the past but have been REALLY getting into it the last 4 months…I finally broke and started playing Grand Order lol. Just got Napoleon and Anastasia so it's been picking up.
Guest3: At this time, he's too new to be able to just dish out apples as I implied they are finite (hence why Freyja wanted to give him one of hers prior to adopting him). Later on though, he may be able to acquire some for those close to him *cough* fiancé/wife *cough*
Shockwawe: No doubt, the dude 1-shotted Great Red in canon…I think anyone would be in trouble against him 1v1 XD
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"Maybe we'll get to return someday," Irina sighed wistfully as she stared outside the window of her room at the crashing waves. She never got tired of the view no matter how many times she awoke to it, Vanaheim had been a blessing and while she'd never admit it, held a soft place in her heart nearly on par with Heaven itself. "Isn't the spirit of cooperation amazing? We would never have seen this place otherwise."
"True," Xenovia admitted while relaxing on her bed in a sleeveless tank top and shorts, the pair planning to go exploring once they were packed for the coming departure. "I hear the team went to Olympus before we joined, maybe I'll get to see it."
"I know you would love it, the place had an almost Heaven-like feel to it," she recalled her brief time seeing the golden fields when escorting Hafga home with Dorian. "Speaking of Heaven, it should be ready any day now."
"Nervous?" The blue-haired Einherjar sat up with a concerned expression. "I may not be a member of the Church any longer, but you are still my partner. To get to hold the complete sword the two of us used to wield only in parts would be intimidating."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," she admitted immediately, always able to trust Xenovia. "But Lord Michael says we should never hold ourselves back just because it is more comfortable. The sword of a ruler…I never thought I'd go that route."
"You always did seem to be right at home following, but I know you, you won't be stopped regardless of what you choose. One day maybe you'll grow a few extra wings and become a Seraph," Xenovia teased while brushing out her lengthy hair.
"Oh, no," she turned shy, beaming red as she waved her assertions off. "I may be Michael's Ace to represent Heaven, but can you imagine me standing alongside someone like Lady Gabriel? I wouldn't fit…"
"Knock knock!" The door to the room flew open despite their certainty that they had locked it. Koneko's older sister Kuroka was standing in the entryway leaning over a very shy looking Iggy. "Are you ladies ready for a good time!?"
"You're heading out too?" Irina asked with her usual enthusiasm for the woman she had slowly started seeing more and more like a friend. Even so, she internally dreaded the kind of trouble she could get into when in such a mood.
"Not just me," she playfully rattled Iggy's shoulders to include her. "Dorian is off with thunder thighs on their little exploratory date, and for some reason she decided to give them privacy. I figured who am I to hog our little sapling so thought we could all show her a good time!"
"Y-you don't have to," Iggy tried to resist. "I was just thinking of relaxing, maybe having Hecuba make something…"
"You can't eat all day!" She was quickly interrupted. "There is more to see than just food, you need to break in that body and I'm the one to do it. So, what do you two say?"
Xenovia and Irina glanced to each other before making a unanimous decision. While it was true, they both thought it best to keep an eye on the incorrigible nekoshou, the idea of helping Iggy acclimate to a more active setting was one they could not pass up. Whatever else might happen, they'd make sure she got used to being herself and enjoying life outside of Dorian's comfort zone. Kuroka recognized their decision immediately.
"Excellent! Now I'm sure you made lovely outdoorsy clothes to wear, but just leave it to big sis Kuroka to pick one for you JUST for the occasion."
Vanaheim Shoreline…
"Dorian, lift!"
The young man complied with the daughter of thunder's request, diving down to catch the ball just before it hit the glistening sand. His set up was perfect as Thrud leapt high into the air angling towards a space on the other side of the net between their opponents. One tried to get in the way and prevent it from making it over the net. Locking eyes with Thrud, pupils wide and smile showing her enjoyment of what was to come, they realized the mistake that had been made.
"EVERYONE SCATTER!" The warning from the sidelines came too late.
Thrud spiked the ball with a grunt of exertion, the ball disappearing as it blasted downward past all opposition into the ground. The sand parted, rippling upward from the impact sending a wave of particles in all directions sending the opposing team of Valkyries and Einherjar flying. As the chaos settled, only Dorian and Thrud remained standing, even the scoreboard blown away.
"That's game!" She leapt in victory, giving Dorian a slap on his posterior without noticing his look of surprise. "You guys were good! We definitely need a rematch!" Their opponents waved weakly in thanks at the compliment coming from the daughter of Thor though looked worried to come any closer. "That's two!"
Dorian retrieved a small pendant showcasing their victory at the volleyball match, the next in a line of events they had been working through all morning. In Vanaheim, it seemed every day held public events and that one was no different. Having departed the tower on their date, both dressed in comfortable yet appropriate clothes for a day out, all plans had been adjusted as they saw what was happening. A multi-sport series of competitions to see who was the most skillful and strong. While Thrud's enthusiasm had been what drew them in, Dorian's bubbling sense of competition between his early days in Asgard and seeing the recent Rating Game made him just as eager.
"Okay, which do you want to try next?" Dorian looked over the guide of the upcoming competitions closest to them as he and Thrud relaxed at a café near the shore. "I don't see any partner competitions left."
"Hmmm," Thrud sipped on her slushie loudly as she looked it over. While Dorian had donned the same pair of trunks he wore while in Alfheim, she selected a new swimsuit he'd never seen before. It was a strapless black bikini that he swore was a size or two too small with matching bottoms. For the day, her normal shirt was tied around her waist like a belt, the rest of their clothes tucked away. He made no question as to how fond he was of the look she was pulling off. "We could each take individual competitions; it'd spoil the day if we're fighting against each other. How did I not know this was going on today?"
"Last minute thing?" Dorian shrugged. I'm not much of a swimmer, but the wrestling contest would be a good fit for me. Dibs on that."
"Damn, okay then I'll take swimming, they are right next to each other." Thrud acquiesced, already noting the order they had planned on her map. "Now this is the sort of outing I'm fond of! No sitting around, but actually staying active!"
She's so…alive, Dorian could not help but focus on that aspect of her. Ever since the day had started, her enthusiasm for the activities they had available to them was contagious, fanning the flames of his growing competitive nature further. I guess she's always been this way, just remembering our training before I got my Balance Breaker…
"So, what name will you compete as?" A sudden playful teasing expression entered her eyes as she played with her straw. "Dorian…or Tyr, the one who shines?"
"Dorian Held is fine," he tried not to look awkward under her gaze. "I don't want people looking at me like…"
"…a god?" Her insurmountable enthusiasm suddenly soured somewhat, Thrud leaning back in her seat. "Having others either afraid to be in the same room as you, or thinking how knowing you can advance their positions? I get that feeling."
"But not Rose," he smiled as serenely as he could. He knew how Thrud had a tough time around others due to her position with Rossweisse having been her true friend all that time. "There isn't a selfish bone in her body."
"There isn't a selfish anything on her," Thrud let out a hearty laugh. "How many women would want to see two people so happy she sets up a date for her own boyfriend?" Even Dorian could not answer that, their original itinerary for the day having been drawn up by the silver Valkyrie herself. For the next few days, she'd be preparing herself for the attempt on her family's trials yet wanted Thrud to have time alone with Dorian, citing she'd had so much herself. "Oh, you could always do the drunken flyting again."
"Pass on that," Dorian waved off the flyer on the competition. "If I'm spending the day with you, I'd prefer to NOT be drunk to the point of being half blind."
"You know how to make a girl feel special," she replied with a cheeky smirk. "Come on, the next rounds will be starting!"
Thrud took his hand, pulling him up from the table towards the makeshift arena built from the nearby building. Any who saw them could only smile at the wholesome scene of her enthusiasm and his joy at her happiness. Only three shadows lurking behind the ice cream stand seemed uncertain as to how they felt of the scene.
"We've put this off for too long," the largest whispered, her voice still somehow booming. "Are you both up to the task?"
"Yes," the two other burly, but smaller shapes promised. "No matter what, we will ensure that Dorian Held will either prove his worth or be denied the hand of one so far above him…"
Vanaheim…
"Does dying it do anything for you?" Xenovia asked with honest curiosity while flipping her own green streak. "You said you could change your appearance at will, right?"
"Well, I can," Iggy admitted. "But then it would look weird, right?" In a flash, her hair shifted to a red hue almost reminding them of Rias. In the blink of an eye, she returned to her previous state.
"I…am so jealous," Kuroka admitted while leaning back in her seat. The four had been wandering Vanaheim for their final outing much of the morning. The other girls had convinced her to try a few batting cages, shopping, even making use of their free passes to the Jotun's Breath skating rink. All of Kuroka's ideas required it to be later in the evening and were vetoed by the other girls. With the afternoon approaching, they had stopped at a café for a rest and bite to eat. "Can you do black hair?" With a flip of her locks, Iggy's green turned a dark matching a raven's feathers. "Ooooh, now do blonde!"
"Kuroka," Irina glared at her. "That is very rude."
"It's okay," Iggy tried to defuse the looks between the pair before her hair turned a golden yellow. "I've never really tried changing too much. Most of it just…doesn't feel like me, like if you made yours black Irina. That, and I have to focus to maintain it. I'm so used to my current form that I can do it without thinking." To prove her point, with a soft exhalation, her features faded back to those they had known.
"If you ever need to relax or it's too much you can always take on your true form," Xenovia assured her with a hand on her shoulder. "We all saw it when fighting Loki, you have nothing to be ashamed of."
"With how spicy you look; the details are overrated. Guys would be flocking to you even in your tree form. That, and you can look like whatever you want," Kuroka pointed out. "If you feel unhappy about something, just change it and make it your own."
"I don't want to change too much," she fumbled with her words. "Or I won't be recognizable, isn't it better to work on what I like most instead of just changing all the time?"
"That's the spirit," a burly gentleman manning the nearby gift shop remarked between puffs of his pipe. He had dark hair and an impressive mustache that looked to be devouring his face. "Too many yougins like to replace things when they go out of fashion, good on you for working on what you have. Though I must admit I may not be as strong if I had yer gift if'n you don't mind me saying."
"Thank you, sir."
"Are you ladies seeing the root this afternoon? I hear it'll be more visible today than for a while with the tides moving."
"The root?" Irina asked, the others leaning closer curiously.
"Oh aye, one of the roots that connects Vanaheim to the other realms through Yggdrasil herself is located just off the coast of the nearby beach. Now most of the time it's buried beneath the sand and waters, but today marks a day both are low enough it can be seen. It's hard to get to though, so not many see it and others go…missing. Most go for the one on the other side of the mountain but with the crowds you'd be lucky to get close enough to catch a glimpse."
"A piece of mother?" Iggy's eyes lit up with stars. "How long until we can see it?"
"Well, if you can get there then it'll be visible by noon. If you hurry, you can see it with the sun beaming off it in just the right way…truly incredible."
"Can we go?" Iggy spun towards the others with an innocent pleading expression. "I've wanted to see what mother's manifestation in this realm looks like, it must be so different from the roads. Please?"
"Really?" Kuroka finally leaned forward to put her chair on all four legs and placing her elbows on the table. "You want to make a trek instead of just relaxing on the best beach this side of paradise? I was going to give you all sorts of advice for the guys…"
"Well, there is supposed to be a super exclusive party spot built around the root's location," the man continued. "Any who reach it are considered welcome, I hear they get wicked craz…ahem, I mean, it can get pretty wild."
"Then what are we waiting for!?" Kuroka had already shot to her feet, tails swaying back and forth excitedly as she took Iggy's hand. "You can see a piece of your mother and the rest of us can have a mind-blowing party. Also, we can try out some of those swimsuits you made, everybody wins!"
"I vote for it," Xenovia agreed with a confident smirk. "It sounds like a challenge to reach but worth it, don't you agree?"
"Well…" Irina looked uncertain but clearly outnumbered. "I don't know about the party side of it…but it sounds like it could be an enjoyable time together. Okay, I'm in."
"You'll find the first path on the far end of the beach," the man cautioned. "You can rent some boats there. Then…"
The four women listened intently as he explained the process to reaching the secluded root, Iggy almost completely oblivious to the dangers he warned at the prospect of what lay ahead. It wasn't long before the four had picked up their things and were rushing into the distance waving farewells and thanks for the information.
"Hehe, that'll get them where she wants," he chuckled with a cocky expression once they were out of sight. "This way they'll be able to just relax not worrying about…"
"HEY YOU!" A voice identical to his own bellowed from the side entrance to the café. "What are you doing at my booth!?" Indeed, the man shouting could have passed for the twin of who the women had been talking to just moments ago. There was no visible difference between the pair.
"Shit, the fuzz!" The imposter's voice suddenly because much higher pitched, a fluffy tail protruding from his lower back as he dove out the window, his body mass shrinking drastically as he disappeared beneath the ground just before he would have been seized by the stall's rightful owner. "I didn't steal anything! Just needed a good disguise, your mustache could have hidden an army."
"WHY YOU!" He chased after the retreating mound of dirt but was no match for its speed. In short order, it had disappeared, only the fluffy squirrel tail visible before making his escape.
Festival…
"Okay, I think that is everybody," the tall Valkyrie announced after awaiting the specified amount of time. "For the competition, there is a last-minute change. Instead of one-on-one matches, we shall be holding a grand wrestling melee for the first time ever!"
"A grand melee?" Dorian contemplated the ramifications as he saw the dozens of men and women who had gathered within the fenced-in arena. They all looked as confused as he, though were clearly more than eager to go with the flow. "So, we'll be not only testing our strength but ability to maneuver and take into account multiple opponents at once potentially."
Funny, I'm actually looking forward to it. Thrud would have loved this.
Everyone involved was down to loincloths, the stipulations being that no weapons or armor of any kind were permitted. Dorian could see Einherjar and Valkyries from all across the Nine Realms present including giants, dwarves, elves and a few familiar faces.
"Mr. Held!" Ragnar slapped him on the back hard. "So good you could make it, we may have sparred with words, but long have I yearned to face you on the field of battle!"
"Fight as the last two standing?" Dorian held out a hand which the veteran Einherjar eagerly accepted.
"Aye, don't you dare get beaten now. Oh, this brings back the good ol' days of battle, enemies all around, ya donna know where the next challenger will be!"
"At the sound of the bell, you may begin. The rules are thus, no deaths, no permanent maiming. If you are rendered unconscious or step outside the borders you are disqualified and will be removed by our enforcers." A small army of burly soldiers nodded in unison at her proclamation. "No new contenders may enter once the battle has begun either."
Dorian stepped the required amount of space away from the others to give him breathing space, taking a solid stance to prepare for unexpected assailants. Turning hesitantly, he spotted a pair of men, one blonde and the other brown-haired similarly preparing themselves. He couldn't be certain, but they seemed to be eyeing him with intent.
"Contenders, show your strength and honor…and…fight!"
There was no longer any doubt, the two men Dorian had seen eyeing him bolted in his direction instantly ignoring all other fighters once the bell rang. The pair hooked arms, clearly working as a team, slamming themselves into Dorian as a single unit. Only his solid stance saved him from being sent careening out of the arena, barely rooting himself to the floor as he withstood their assault.
"You are not so strong," the first mocked.
"We expected a mightier challenge from one who caught her eye." The other finished.
"Her eye?" Dorian used their moment of mockery to reposition himself and ready for a counterattack. "Who?"
"Now where is there honor in two on one!?" The hearty voice of Ragnar roared from the side. The pair had no time to turn as the bear of an Einherjar collided with them from behind, claiming the one with the lighter brown hair and tearing him away from his partner. "You two have such a presence, how have we never fought!?"
Dorian could only blink in the time between being beleaguered by the pair to suddenly only facing one who was more confused at the sudden interruption than anything else. Gripping the opponent's arm, he hurtled him over his shoulder before lifting him off his feet and throwing him across the field aiming for the closest borders for a ring out. To his dismay, the man was nimbler than he looked for his size, grabbing the post and spinning about to remain within bounds. His spin caught Dorian in the chest and jaw, sending him sprawling and giving his opponent time to recover all to the cheers of the crowd.
"Is your strength so pitiful without your Sacred Gear?" His foe taunted while cracking his neck. "I expected better of the man who bested my…who bested Modi! Is his sister so frugal a woman to desire any man? Tis the only way you could worm your way into her…"
"Insult me all you want, but not ONE word against her!" Dorian feigned requiring a moment to recuperate, only to rush the man as he approached, hitting him like a javelin in the gut. The sheer wall of steel that was the man's abs surprised, but didn't stop, him. He powered on through all the while landing solid blows to his midsection. "I learned a thing or two from Thrud."
The mention of her name seemed to strengthen the burly man's resolve, finally stopping his slide backwards. Wrapping his arms around Dorian like a bear, he lifted him backwards and upside down into a power bomb move the young Einherjar had seen the few times Ms. Lily let the kids watch wrestling. With a battle-cry that shook the ground, he slammed Dorian into the floor with all his might.
The fighter's eyes went wide as Dorian latched onto him in turn. Where he had planned to slam the man down and release him, instead the leader of the Crossroads had gripped his arm in turn, taking the catastrophic impact and held on like a vice. With the momentum of the attack spent, he had the leverage despite being outclassed in terms of weight. Shifting his body hard, he locked his own legs around an arm and twisting, threatening to dislocate it.
"I wasn't just learning how to use my gear," he grunted, utilizing one of the many styles Thrud had shown him of their culture, this one known as Glima. "What do you have against us? You and your friend were eyeing me from the get-go. Then you insult her for no reason!"
"This…is a matter of family honor," he growled through the pain of stretching ligaments and tendons. "I would lose both my limbs before I yielded so easily!"
"What is it that has you so…" Dorian did not finish as he saw a larger form careening towards him. Thinking fast, he released his captive and dove, barely managing to prevent Ragnar from being knocked clean out of bounds. To his shock, the aged fighter was covered in bruises, his braids were disheveled and his left eye so swollen he could not see through it any longer. The second of the pair who had been his opponent looked weathered by combat, but not to nearly the same extent. "Are you okay?"
"Aye, brat nailed me good," he admitted, stumbling to his feet with a shake of his head. "He's a strong'un, hits like a god that one. How about yours?"
"Same," Dorian massaged his jaw unaware it too was already starting to turn purple from the force of the hit. "They were targeting me from the outset without a doubt."
"Did you piss in their milk? Maybe plough a sister?" Dorian shook his head, though Ragnar's words were serving only to incite them further, the pair squaring up against them. "I'll take mine, we got unfinished business, you got yours?" He nodded to his friend. "Right then, CHARGE!"
Dorian pushed forward, his strategic mind falling more into the setting as he collided once more with the light-brown haired man. This time they both utilized Glima, their chaotic back and forth now falling into the rules of the contest. They gripped one another's shoulders in an attempt to throw the other to the ground all the while rotating around clockwise looking for an opening. Technique was the name of the game in Glima, not force, all the same the pair tightened their hold on the other's neck, waist and chest, the first to lose focus would surely fall. Their eyes were right up against one another, his foe having an eerily familiar sensation to it almost missed in the heat of battle.
"Illusion magic?" He muttered, his guess surely correct as the burly man's face suddenly grimaced. "And here I thought it was illegal to conceal your identity for this contest."
"You know not of what you speak!"
"Are you kidding? Do you have ANY idea how many times I've been tricked by someone pretending to be someone else? I kissed Loki for gods' sake because he looked like a young Valkyrie at the time."
"Urk…" his opponent was clearly holding back a gag of disgust at the unexpected reveal. It created a moment, just a moment that his focus was not totally on grappling with Dorian.
There!
Hooking his foot around, Dorian clipped his leg quickly with his own. The entire time, the two had been attempting to prevent the other from forcing them to the ground, but that was not his aim. Once his opponent's stance had been broken, he resecured his grip and pulled back with all his might. In a move that was refreshingly familiar to him, he suplexed the man over his head sending him hurtling over the fence bowling over a half dozen spectators beyond.
"When I get my hands on you…" He threatened upon getting back to his feet, but it was for nothing, a forcefield bouncing him back out of bounds preventing any from cheating once ringed out. For the duration of the fight, he was eliminated with the enforcers eyeing him practically begging him to try again. His anger boiled all the higher as he saw Dorian throw him a two-finger salute before tackling the next combatant to pick a fight with him.
"Brother!" The second of the troublemaker's headbutted Ragnar away at the sight of his ally's defeat. Without a care for the contest, he bounded over the fence and fled off chasing after the first.
"Oy! Get back here ya sod!" Ragnar bellowed. "Ye canna leave a fight unfinished!"
"I think he's already gone," Dorian remarked as he casually stopped a man who tried to charge him, the warrior's strength coming up far short and was cast aside with ease by the new Einherjar. "Once we take out the last stragglers, we can…"
"Nay, nay," the Einherjar sighed. "It just doesn't work, I gotta chase him down. Good luck in here Dorian Held, I doubt anyone else stands a chance. Our match will hafta wait for another day!" With that, he too jumped over the railing and ran in the direction they had fled all the while screaming insults that would have won him flyting competitions worldwide.
"Ragnar! Geez," Dorian spun, seeing the few dozen remaining fighters still contending with each other, the field very nearly empty compared to how it had started. With no specific target in sight, Dorian charged towards the first Valkyrie he saw open trying to emulate the warriors of Asgard he'd known set on working off the frustration of missing out on facing Ragnar. "Alright…WHO IS NEXT!?"
Not Far…
"It would seem Dorian Held bested you," a tall woman muttered to the pair once they were in a secluded portion of the fairgrounds. "And you thought he'd be so easy."
"Twas not our fault!" The light-brown haired individual started, the illusion dissipating to reveal a hulking man with straw-yellow hair. "He did not fight alone!"
"Nor did either of you at first," she saw the second's disguise fall away in shame. "The fact that another so esteemed as Ragnar fought at his side shows his strength of character and drawing others to his side. It makes sense the Crossroads have garnered such a diverse cast to date. You lost to him in strength, technique, and teamwork. He has earned the right to the next challenge."
"But mother," the second man, standing taller than her yet bowed to her presence. "We cannot just let him do as he wishes with big sis!"
"I never said we would, your father will be back soon, but the next one up is mine. A mother's touch will see just how worthy this man is. He drew quite the fire in his heart when you insulted Thrud, just the kind of man she would adore…"
At the Beach…
"This is so exhilarating!" Iggy called out as the cool ocean air rushed past her face, arms clinging strongly to Xenovia's waist. "Have you ever done this before?"
"No," the blue-haired woman yelled back over the sound of rushing water and revving engine. "But the instructions were simple enough!"
"Release me at once! This is NOT what I had in mind!" Kuroka struggled behind Iggy, the nekoshou tethered to the young spirit by roots and other brambles holding her in place.
The Three were sitting atop a high-powered jet ski they had rented at the edge of the beach with Irina and Hecuba piloting an identical one to the side. To their surprise, Kuroka had not been fond of the idea going so far out into the waters, requiring all four of them to wrangle her onboard unwilling to leave her alone on the beach. Following the instructions of the mysterious vendor, they were well on their way to the location of the elusive root.
"There's the second marker!" Iggy pointed out a distant rock jutting from the ground somewhat reminiscent of a star. "The dangerous guardian cannot be far!"
"I've never seen you so excited over danger," Xenovia complimented Iggy without changing her stoic expression while giving a glance at her new outfit. "Getting a taste for it?"
For the first time, Iggy had donned a bikini that she'd sewn in secret. A mix of green and gold accents, it left very little to the imagination with thin straps that worked around her impressive bust and soft frills that fluttered in the breeze. All the women had changed appropriately, now wearing swimsuits that turned the heads of everyone who spotted them. Kuroka's especially being one of the thinnest black strings they'd ever seen, covering the essentials and naught much else. Xenovia kept her signature teal suit while Irina was the most modestly dressed of them all, her yellow top being more akin to a cropped shirt covering the orange bikini beneath.
"Maybe not danger," Iggy admitted after a moment of thought. She'd always been within Dorian, looking at his adventures as if on the other side of a pane of glass, but now was finally seeing things from the other side. "But seeing you all getting to do so much, even the serious situations, well…it made me want to join in. "If this protector of the root appears as that man said, I will fight with you!"
"Come on, a kraken?" Kuroka asked from the back remembering his warning of danger. "Those are on Earth, not Vanaheim. We could have called in that Hafga girl…"
As if the world heard her challenge, the waves started to buffet the pair of jet skis, forcing the women to hold on and brace themselves. For protection, the two drifted closer to one another, looking every which way for the source while failing to notice the dark shadow looming beneath them.
"You were saying?" Xenovia glared down Kuroka, the incorrigible feline could practically feel.
"Perhaps we SHOULDN'T be floating ducks?"
"Agreed," Hecuba analyzed the situation. "On three, we go full throttle and try to escape its territory, the next marker should be the island itself. "One…two…"
Without needing to finish, the two jet skis took off, narrowly avoiding a pair of massive tendrils that emerged from the ocean right where they had been floating. Immediately realizing they had missed their prey; the appendages took off after them parting the ocean in their pursuit.
"I was just in the mood for sushi!" Kuroka grinned at the sight of the approaching tentacles, lobbing kasha wheels out one after another while using Iggy's roots previously restraining her to prevent falling into the waters. Each impact set the attacking limbs ablaze only for them to douse themselves beneath the waves before continuing the chase.
"Xenovia!" Hecuba called out from the other jet ski. "Durandal me!"
Unable to fight while driving the boat, Xenovia held out her right hand, reaching within the dimensional pocket where she kept her signature weapons. Retrieving the holy sword, she hurled it end over end towards her Spartan teammate. As expected, she caught it expertly, the blade transforming in her hands into the legendary weapon of Troy. The first tendril to approach them was cut in half vertically, the remains flailing haphazardly in the wind.
"How big is it?" Irina called out as more emerged, wishing she could help but barely maintaining control. Hecuba cleaved through any that came near with no end in sight. "We can't keep this up forever!"
"Get ready to turn around!" Hecuba yelled loud enough for everyone to hear. "We can't fight it like this, if it keeps coming…"
"Wait!" Iggy called out, cutting her off with a shout of confidence. "These tentacles…they aren't tentacles at all! Xenovia, turn off the jet ski."
"Are you insane?"
"Please, just trust me!"
With a curse under her breath, Xenovia complied, jostling the trio as they glided to a stop. Kuroka howled at their choice, however, was silenced as Iggy climbed over her to the back of the vehicle, standing tall as the mass of tendrils careened towards them.
"Hello mother," she smiled sweet and innocently, holding out her arms as if expecting an embrace. "I found you."
A moment before the mass would have collided with them, they stopped cold mere inches form her face. So too for the others, their pursuers halted before overtaking them. Pulling back, they collected together creating a platform stretching as far as the eye could see.
"They aren't tentacles," Iggy explained as a mystical light started to form before them. "They're branches." Sure enough, a curvaceous form took shape, flowing green hair fluttering in the breeze, an ornate, almost regal swimsuit adorning the woman who had appeared.
"My sweet little girl," Yggdrasil smiled, walking across the makeshift platform. "I almost didn't recognize you in the physical plane. "What brings you out this way?"
"To see you!" She reached allowing the pair to come together in a mother daughter hug. "We heard one of your roots would be visible today!"
"Did you now? How fortunate you happened to hear about it in the nick of time," the gleam in her eyes made them imagine she knew more than was being let on.
"Why did you attack us?" Hecuba asked, pulling her jet ski up alongside them. "A few of those swings were close calls."
"There was never any danger," Yggdrasil explained. "But with my daughter or no, I had to be sure you had the courage and would not simply run away from a threat."
"Courage for what?" Xenovia could just imagine what Dorian would think if he saw the sly smile stretch across Yggdrasil's lips.
"Why, the courage to find the hottest celebration spot this side of the Nine Realms to make a Jotun envious!"
In Vanaheim…
"To think my move would come in handy!" Thrud let out a laugh as they walked together both now sporting medals around their neck showcasing the mutual victories at wrestling and swimming. While initially walking separate, Dorian reached over, taking her hand tenderly gripping it. It was not enough, Thrud leaning all the closer and seizing an arm, their closeness no longer a question to the bystanders around. "We could have taken them together had I been there, or you could have seen me at the swim match."
Thrud playfully opened her tunic ever so slightly to reveal her swimsuit top beneath as of tease him what he could have seen. The loud swallow from Dorian and widened eyes got the desired reaction before closing it again. She opened the booklet to decide on the next destination.
"We are doing the next one together," he spoke up as she was about to pick two more, laying his hand on hers. "This is supposed to be our day together after all."
"You're right," she returned the sentiment. "But there aren't any others as pairs, that leaves us as opponents." It was subtle, but Dorian noticed a slight intake to Thrud's words, as if she was considering the prospect and found it far more desirable than she was letting on. "When was the last time we had a nice, good brawl between us? Training spars can only be so fulfilling."
"You are the only woman I know who would judge the healthiness of her relationship by how often she and her boyfriend fight," Dorian pointed out, the two bursting out laughing after several seconds of a seemingly awkward silence. "It beats the alternative of actual arguments."
"And yet how many arguments have you and I had, or Rose for that matter?" He smiled at how casually she now used Rossweisse's nickname. "All couples do eventually," she leaned closer to him with a mischievous grin. "Things just seem to work out when we're all together. How would a fight even look I wond…? What are you doing?"
"Oh, this?" Dorian looked down, realizing his hand had been fiddling with something within his pocket. Tentatively, he presented the High King piece from his Tafl set to her. "I brought it along, thought it could help me think and bring some luck."
"About whom to choose for your pieces?" He nodded. "Can't make the entire Crossroad members, you'd need more pieces for that. Does everyone become an Einherjar or Valkyrie?"
"In a way," he tried to explain how Ajuka had told it to him. "The pieces are divided between Blades and Shields with the High King piece being separate. I do not get a piece, just like devils, the king has none of their own nor do the Brave Saint's leaders get a card."
"No king pieces? Huh, I guess I assumed Rias and the others had one."
"He didn't talk about it much, but the Blades would receive attributes akin to Einherjar with phenomenal boosts to their offensive abilities and brute strength, while Shields are more like Valkyries achieving greater masteries of magic and defensive powers. The High King Piece is an amalgamation of the two that also binds the others together to me."
"Got a piece for me?" She teased a bit, but Dorian shaking his head glumly after a moment.
"Unfortunately, gods are ineligible for the process. Something about your concept-like existence tied to belief, the mechanics were pretty above me. It won't work on you, I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she reassured with a punch to the arm. "It's not like not being a member of your Tafl kingdom would prevent me from being around you. That, and I was never a fan of leadership, you know that. Might want to rename that piece to High Queen…we both know the best candidate."
High Queen Piece? I much prefer the sound of that.
"But put that away, we have the rest of the day, we can…" She paused upon spotting a page of the booklet. "Oh wow! They broke out the Seidr Sun Stone!"
"The what?" Dorian leaned over, not recognizing the name but knowing Seidr magic was tied to foresight and divination. Rossweisse would have to pass a trial centered around it from her family when the time came.
"The Sun Stone," she held up a picture of a multi-sided crystal glowing bright orange barely able to be seen due to the glare created on the photo. "It's a part of father's personal collection, the rumor says that those within proximity gain increased mental abilities and even mind reading! Strange, I had no idea he took it out of the treasure house. This is very odd."
"What does it have to do with the competitions?" He tried to ask, but the enthusiastic young woman had already seized his hand more strongly than ever, pulling him to his feet.
"The PERFECT game for us, you'll see," she winked. "Come on, it's starting soon, and we both have enough wins in other fields to qualify. We can just make it!"
Agares Territory…
"Welcome home Lady Agares," a small army of maids and butlers bowed as the heiress entered the doors of the manor she'd been raised in. With the situation on Agares Isle taken care of, she took the opportunity before the return to Kuoh to do something important.
"Thank you, are father and mother home?"
"Not today, they are away on business. We were not expecting you either, I hope all is well."
"It will be," Seekvaira asserted. "I just wanted to see her, how has she been?"
"As she has always been," the head maid promised. "If you give us some time, we can further dust her chambers…"
"That won't be necessary, but I will ask to not be disturbed."
"Of course, Lady," she bowed respectfully. "Take all the time you require."
Seekvaira took her words to heart, climbing to the top floor of her home passing every regal statue and tapestry that made the manor a shining example of devil nobility. Depictions of her ancestors going back to the very first Agares serving the earliest Satans filled the halls inspiring pride, the same pride that drove her to be the best and bring honor to her family. That feeling followed her all the way up to the massive double doors leading to the room she sought.
"Okay," she whispered to herself. "Don't be nervous, you've done this a thousand times. Though never with such…hope." She stepped inside, the silence seeming even deeper than ever before as she walked deeper within. "Hello Nana, it's Seekvaira again."
A bed awaited her easily large enough for four to sleep shoulder to shoulder covered in the grandest fineries money could buy. Bedsheets soft enough to sink into, incense and candles to keep the sense of life burning all around. To anyone unaware, it may seem that the older woman within it had only just laid down to rest. Seekvaira knew better, the room was cleaned and kept in pristine order on a daily basis, machines hidden within the frame and elsewhere keeping her alive. If left alone for too long she would start to show the slow decay, an inevitability her father had worked to stall. Her grandmother, the woman she had never truly met having succumbed to the disease before she was born, laid within, chest rising and falling steadily without stop as it had always been.
"I hope you've been well," she started as she often did, treating her politely as if she were there in full speaking with her. "I am sure you heard, but I was defeated in the Rating Game. Do not feel disappointed, it turns out the Astaroth heir was with our enemies and cheated. This was a short while ago, I would have told you sooner but was…busy."
The woman was unmistakably Seekvaira's grandmother, her green-blonde hair barely showing a few streaks of grey. Such was one of the few upsides to the sleep disease, slowing the victim's bodily functions by such a degree that age and the passage of time meant little. Her face held confidence and wisdom of years, eyes long since hidden behind the lids. Seekvaira told all that had occurred since her previous visit months earlier leaving out no details, her excitement growing all the more as she neared current events.
"I didn't believe it at first," she continued, barely noticing the hours that had passed. "But the Crossroads has true promise once our ranks grow. Without them…without him, you may be like this forever. But don't worry, they're working on the next batches of the cure and determining how to distribute it. I am sure that, as an Agares, you will be at the top of the list. Have you heard me all these years I wonder?"
She thought back to when she was a little girl barely able to reach the seat to sit facing her grandmother, speaking to her as often as she could about anything she could think of. Her face reddened a bit as she recalled the private matters she'd spoken to her of, thinking for a moment it might be best if she hadn't heard.
"My wing is much better,' she twisted a bit as if to emphasize. "I'll be back as soon as I can, if we're lucky, this will be the last time we need to speak like this. If that day comes…" she inhaled deeply, mustering all her will to say the words despite the impropriety it may imply. "…there is someone I want to introduce you to. I think you may like him, despite first impressions, I believe…"
Only then did Seekvaira finally catch herself, standing up to straighten her robe and glasses as if to shift the topic despite the lack of her grandmother's ability to reply. Sighing with a smile, she gently touched the cheek of the sleeping woman still so cold.
"Just a little longer Nana, I swear just a little longer. This wouldn't be possible without him, I will never forget that."
Beach…
"Welcome to the party noble Valkyries and young nekoshou!" A muscular Einherjar roared as he cheered with a pair of Valkyries balanced on his shoulders. He wore only a pair of swim trunks, the women in their own bikinis though quickly shed their tops as the party surrounding them went into full swing.
"This…is your summer getaway?" Iggy's jaw dropped with reddening cheeks. Since realizing it was her mother who had been the dreaded kraken guarding the waters, the girls had been escorted to a secluded island filled with others who had made the trek. At present there was a giant celebration raging around them surrounding the root protruding from the center of the lone landmass.
"I don't get to interact with the physical world often," she admitted with a gleam in her eye. "A few warriors found this root centuries ago; with the seclusion of the location, they did what any noble Einherjar would have done…"
"Turned it into a Pagan den of debauchery, sin and…oh! Is that Gold Leaf Bread!?" Irina immediately forgot about her shock at the party happening around her to analyze the table of food laid out for the guests. "I always wanted to open a bakery someday!"
"Have your fill," Yggdrasil smiled with a wave of her hand. "Plenty for all, I've gathered recipes from all over our world and yours. It seems your friend has already gotten into the swing of things." She was not wrong as Kuroka was already floating above the crowds, a can of beer in each hand and a cheering crowd beneath her chanting to shed her own suit.
"And none know that you're…?"
"An embodiment of the symbol of their people and source of their magic? No," she giggled, emphasizing her features. "If anyone knew, I'm sure Odin would show up here every time I became visible, and I had quite my fill of his more eccentric side while teaching him runes." Despite the regal nature of her swimsuit, it was still quite revealing, a side of her mother she'd never seen before. "They think I'm just the organizer of these events. They aren't entirely wrong. Will you join your friends out there?"
"In a minute," Iggy looked more like how she'd been prior to manifesting a body at the sight of the jubilation around her. "They're just so…chaotic."
"Not all chaos is necessarily bad," her mother draped her arm over her shoulder. "It's all about finding the right balance in your orderly life."
"A youthful Einherjar to challenge!" The larger man before bellowed to Xenovia sitting across from him. "Have you taken to our ways, or are you naught but one who sits idle and prays?"
"Church ways, Asgard's ways, their training fills my days!" She countered, responding with a solid headbutt that made Iggy flinch. Amazingly, her opponent did not falter but looked all the prouder. "I am stronger than before, mixing the knowledge of both gives me power to my very core!"
"She definitely likes flyting," Iggy sweat-dropped at her proficiency. "The others are having a good time," she spotted Hecuba with a bat in hand, playing an impromptu game of baseball on the edge of the water. With a mighty swing, she sent the ball flying beyond the horizon, none having any hope of catching it.
"You know," Yggdrasil inched closer motioning towards a pair of young men eyeing her from across the pavilion. "You have a physical body now; a little flirting wouldn't hurt anyone."
"I'd…rather not," Iggy waved off the men, the pair turning away with a disappointed expression.
"I see," she nodded understandingly. "And have you confessed to him yet?"
"MOTHER! He…he is out with Thrud today, she is the one who has his attentions."
"That is an excuse, nothing more." Her mother suddenly sounded sterner and commanding as if trying to bring out something within her daughter. "You have known him longer than anyone, if your feelings are as strong as I sense you have every right to let it be known."
"He's only just gotten used to more than one loving him," Iggy explained her rationale. "To come forward now would just cause confusion. Trust me, I know him best. Besides, I want to do something before I ever say something to him."
"What is that?" The spark of determination flared within her daughter's eyes as she spoke the next words.
"I want to remember what my name is, my REAL name. When that happens, I'll tell Dorian exactly how I feel. Then I may know…" She paused almost unable to say the next part.
"Know what little one?"
"If…if I may need to take root one day as you have," she let out her concern. "I don't want to, not yet at least. There is so much to see and do, and I can through him. But if I must become a new world tree…"
"Oh, my dear," Yggdrasil embraced her daughter from the future close to her chest, stroking her hair gently. "Let such worries fall from you, it took ages before I took root and grew to what I am. You are still young and whether you do or not is solely YOUR choice."
"Really? If so, why did you choose to take root?"
"It was so long ago," Yggdrasil's gaze looked shaky for a moment as if recalling a terrible memory long since buried. "For me it was necessary, but you are in the learning days of your life. Just as the others have their High School, a time before they step into the world of adults, so too may you do as you wish now."
"Thank you, mother," she leaned into hug her again, a baseball landing between them and startling the pair.
"Sorry!" A young woman called out. "Can we have that back? There's room for one more if you're interested!" Hecuba in the back nodded beckoning her friend towards them to make the teams even.
"I don' thi…" Iggy was about to answer but immediately changed her mind. "Actually, th-that sounds nice! Just a moment. Thank you," she said again before retrieving the ball and rushing towards the other adjusting her suit for better ease of movement.
"Anytime," Yggdrasil whispered only once Iggy was off to join the others, a familiar squirrel hopping on her lap to accept her generous pets followed by a fresh strawberry. "Thank you for bringing them here, this is exactly what both of us needed. She will be a lucky girl, and Dorian a lucky man."
"Best get ready for some grandkids," Ratatoskr remarked between chews. "Once they quit beating around the bush like the others you won't know how to handle them all. You'll be the best granny this side of Nidavellir!"
Vanaheim Plaza…
"Isn't that a privacy issue?" Dorian asked as Thrud had finished explaining the intricacies of the crystal challenge. The matches were being held in a massive plaza outside the palace of Vanaheim, already a sizable crowd had gathered with many shaking their heads to the side in defeat.
"You only scan the surface-level thoughts, so as long as you aren't actively thinking of your dirtiest secrets, you'll be fine. Why, got any good ones I haven't seen yet?" Dorian turned away acting as if he she hadn't said anything at all.
Crystal matches were interesting to behold, not overly exciting yet the connotation of what was happening had others enthralled. A challenger would sit across from the champion with the crystal between augmenting their mental capacities. The champion would think of a single sentence while the challenger would probe their defenses to learn what that sentence is. If they could peer through and see it, then they win, otherwise the champion reigns supreme. One of their few competitions that did not rely on physical strength or technique.
"Lady Brynhildr was the champion last year; she never did acknowledge it as the previous year's champion couldn't attend and so she won facing everyone else. It'll be great to see…"
"Thrud?" Dorian turned as she went silent, the daughter of thunder's face had gone pale, her hands cold. "What's wrong?"
"Oh no…this can't be happening…" Dorian followed her eyes to the source of her worry, seeing Brynhildr was not the one sitting in the champion's seat. Instead, a dark-haired woman who could almost have been mistaken for Thrud sat across from another Valkyrie staring intently at one another. "Mother," Thrud muttered. "I thought she wasn't able to attend."
"Is this a problem? I've met her before so…"
"You said there were two men who jumped you at the wrestling competition insulting me, right?" Dorian nodded a confirmation. "Hel…I'm going to kill those two. Dorian, we shouldn't be here, we can try another competition."
"Thrud!" Sif called out, the Valkyrie across from her toppling over with swirls in her eyes. "I was hoping you would attend. Come closer, come closer. The post of challenge is open as you can see. Are you here to compete?"
"We were just leav…"
"I was coming just for that," Dorian answered while missing the facepalm from Thrud behind him. "You're the champion of this event?"
"Undefeated every year I can make it out, I was supposed to be in Musphelheim but made a special exception for today. I pray you have been treating my daughter well?" He did not get a chance to reply as Thrud seized his arm again.
"We are doing fine mother; it looks like your line is so long we won't get a chance to challenge you today."
"Nonsense," those words made Thrud's eyes bulge. "The Champion may select whom they wish to confront, order be damned. Mr. Held…I will face you next." Her motion for the line to back away was unchallenged, everyone around knowing better.
"Moth…" Thrud stepped forward only to meet with the eyes that matched her own so well. Not a word was spoken, yet the understanding between them was matched immediately, the daughter of Thor backing off with a bow of respect.
"Sit down, yes there," she instructed, showing Dorian how the compete. "Once the crystal activates, all within the field will be susceptible to our minds. I will defend, of course, and you shall attempt to pierce my defenses and tell me what I am thinking.
"Will the thoughts be somewhere to confirm them after the match?" Dorian asked cautiously, considering all the information he could.
"Do you not trust me? Of course," she teased a bit before motioning for Thrud to come closer, leaning in she whispered something in her ear. The Valkyrie goddess nodded in understanding, her mother stepping back, sparing a brief glance of concern towards Dorian. "There, now Thrud will be able to verify what I told her hence the contest's end. I am sure you trust her?"
"With my life." Her expression was wholly unchanged at his words.
"Excellent, then place your hand upon the crystal," he complied with the instructions." Once it activates, our mental struggle shall begin. Are you prepared?"
"I am."
"Excellent, fight with all you have, every fiber of your mind and body. If you fail, we shall never approve your courtship with my daughter."
"Wait, What!?" Dorian blurted out, but it was too late. The shimmering spectrum of colors that had been softly thrumming from the crystal suddenly exploded outward, engulfing both in an all-encompassing void of light. When it cleared, he found himself standing upon an uneven terrain reminiscent of the root pathways of the Roads, but not quite as he remembered. The sky was over their heads, gone was the endless expanse of space. From the look of things, they were on Earth but nowhere he'd seen directly.
"Hmm, it seems my desire for a familiar setting and your own found a common ground," Sif theorized. "This is the physical tree of Yggdrasil, though you haven't been there yet."
"It does look much like the Roads but smaller." Dorian fell into an offensive stance. "I presume our battle on this plain is a manifestation of our mental struggle?"
"You presume rightly," the goddess held out her hand, a dazzling broadsword clearly of divine-make materializing within. Simultaneously, armor wrapped around her reminding him of what he'd seen the impressive guardsman wear but far grander. As expected of Asgard's aesthetic, it left a teasing bit of skin visible, a fact that seemed to surprise even Sif.
"Huh, my armor does not normally look that way. Are you perhaps imposing a bit of your imagination on it?"
"Not on purpose! Almost all the Asgard armor I see looks like that! Did you mean what you said?" Sif only readied her sword while he tried to change the subject, a shield appearing on her left arm for defense.
Rose's father, Thrud's mother…are there any family members I'm NOT going to be locked into combat with this month?
"You are the attacker," Sif announced, planting her sword in the ground. "You may attempt to breach my defenses any way you can. You do not even have a weapon."
"This isn't my first rodeo in the mental landscape," Dorian held out his hand, Twilight Star materializing within along with his Asgardian armor, his new gold cape fluttering in a nonexistent wind. "I am what I imagine, sound about right?"
"I heard of your battle with Loki, this will not be so easy. You had the homefield advantage. This place is between your mind and mine, not within either. How will you begin?"
Without responding, Dorian held out Twilight Star to unleash a bolt of Olympian lightning squarely at the warrior goddess. As expected, it struck home but did little, Sif showing no sign of being affected other than her hair crackling with the energy. Without waiting for the attack to dissipate, Dorian lunged forward, runes generating from his hands to surround Sif.
The ground cracked as Thrud's mother took off, propelling herself towards him like a rocket. Dorian barely had time to bring his weapon up to block her assault making him wince in pain. His opponent looked him over, a raised eyebrow at his arms holding back her strike.
"You actually blocked it, that attack would have broken the arms of most I compete against. I commend you; my daughter clearly has not been lax on your training."
"I wouldn't be half the fighter I am today otherwise," Dorian groaned as he held back her blow, realizing it was not even close to her full potential. "She's an amazing woman."
"And what would Rossweisse think of such an outing? Did you not claim your heart belonged to her?" The pair continued to clash, Dorian probing for any weakness in her stalwart defense to no avail.
"Who do you think planned our date today? I would never go behind Rossweisse's back." Dorian focused on Sif and the fact this had nothing to do with their physical muscles. He had to weaken her resolve to peer into her immediate thoughts, if it were possible against a centuries-old goddess.
"You are bolder than you were before, when you first came here you could barely utter her name correctly. Now you intend to not only court her, but Asgard's strongest winter flower?"
"Winter flower, I wish I'd been half as clever to think of that. It fits her beautifully, and as if I would have dared to wish for such a thing," Dorian countered, roots lashing from the ground and tethering themselves to each of her arms. "What kind of man would I be if I turned down her confession? I care about your daughter ma'am, my feelings for Rossweisse don't affect those in the slightest!"
I can almost sense it! He focused closer as the roots held Sif back, more and more latching onto her arms and pulling her back. The sentence she's thinking is…
The tearing sound of the roots shattered his chances at peering into her thoughts, a fist surpassing Thrud's colliding with his face soon after. Dorian was sent flying, rolling several times before righting himself into a solid stance down on one knee. The goddess of strength cracked her neck, loosening up her limbs after their brief imprisonment. Almost in a flash, she was in front of him, headbutting him square in the forehead only to appear behind him, gripping the Einherjar in a full nelson as the momentum carried him into her arms.
"Your fight gave Modi a chance at life free of Loki and Thrud cannot see anything but the best in you, but traditions must be followed. You shall best me here or retire and forego our blessing. I have not lost since Lady Freyja herself challenged me in private centuries ago. This is a no-win situation for you…"
Dorian flung his head back, his counter missing, however a helmet materialized upon it that threw off Sif's estimates, allowing him to score an attack on the bridge of her nose. With a painful crack and tear that sent waves of pain through him, Dorian's arms dislocated to slip through her hold. With a single roll forward, he was a safe distance, spinning with now-useless arms flopping around at his side.
"You sacrificed both your arms to escape?" She stood taller, analyzing his tactic with the scrutiny of a mother.
"This…isn't reality," he spat through the pain. "Just manifestations of our thoughts. So these arms are expendable." With a sharp inhalation, his limbs righted themselves, popping back into place unnaturally and returning their full usage. Flexing his fingers, he recalled Twilight Star, the collapsible shield unfolding from within his wrist to defend. Dorian remained resolute as he stared down the goddess before him. "You say I cannot win, yet I won't lose until I give up. If Thrud's happiness is on the line…that will NEVER happen!"
In the Real World…
"Wow, your mom is kicking his ass," a blue-haired woman remarked to Thrud as the crowd continued to cheer for their goddess with a few scattered roars for Dorian to find a way. The crystal showed them images of the battle, though without sound. At first, he seemed to do well, but that was only until her mother stopped holding back. She beat Dorian down over and over, yet each time he kept getting back up to try again.
"He can't win." A gruff voice drew her to the side. "Hi sis, you're looking good…" Her brother Magni didn't get a chance to finish before Thrud had him slammed into the ground and pinned beneath her knee. "G-glad to see you're doing well."
"You and Modi were the two at the wrestling fight, WEREN'T YOU?" He nodded hastily. "Where is he? I'll wring his neck too! I heard what you said about me."
"He's still running I think, Ragnar hasn't given up trying to catch him. We can't let anyone know we were competing; he'll be back once he can shake him. I last saw the two running through the rides district. We did this for you! The insults were to see if he had any real fire for you."
"For me? I don't recall asking you to accost Dorian. And now mother picking a fight with him, you're testing him, aren't you?"
"Per tradition," he explained clearer as the pressure of her hold lessened. "Did you honestly think father and mother wouldn't try to make sure the first man to truly catch your eye was worthy? His accomplishments elsewhere don't matter."
"So, you two were his test of strength then?"
"And apparently a test of his charisma. Were it not for Ragnar we could have beaten him, but he had allies. Mother has…" Thrud knew the tradition well, having hoped they would delay or forget putting Dorian through it altogether. She knew full well what Sif was checking him for.
"Dorian…" Thrud released her brother, stepping closer towards the pair battling, their quarrel continuing as ethereal images above as their bodies simply stared at each other. Fortunately, they could not harm their true bodies in such a contest. The Valkyrie goddess was so focused on Dorian that she did not realize her next step put her close enough to the crystal so as to enter the soft glowing bubble surrounding the warring pair.
Within the Crystal World…
Twilight Star broke, though it was just his personification of it, his shield bent inward, and armor cracked as Dorian fell again. Sif stood back up, returning to her position of strength without a smudge on her. Was she this indomitable in the real world, or was it her unshaking mental fortitude that prevented him from even denting her defenses? Dorian did not know, but everything felt real. He struggled to move, every action resulting in immense pain.
"I've been fighting in this world since before your forebearers even considered propagating," she announced with absolute confidence. "You have become strong, so strong and that cannot be denied. But experience is not given for free, come back in a century of training and you may stand a chance."
"Please, don't insult me," his words surprised Sif who narrowed her eyes at him. Despite everything she knew he must be experiencing, Dorian started getting back to his feet. He couldn't heal himself as easily as before, a sign of the mental strain overtaking his body. All the same, he wouldn't stay down, holding his arms out with determination as offensive seals of multiple layers appeared within each. "If I were to give up that easily, I wouldn't be worthy of her in the slightest. I haven't yielded yet."
"You can't keep this up forever."
"I don't need to, just until Ragnarök. I know the legends are vague on what that entails but I think we'd both notice the world ending, right?" His confidant smile was undone by his shaking hands, clearly using all he had to remain standing.
Maybe, just maybe he can…what is this?
Sif stepped back as images started to flood the area around the pair. Above them all, she witnessed the halls of Asgard as Dorian ran through it looking smaller somehow than he currently was. He did not get far as Thrud caught up, slamming him into the floor and preventing any chance of escape. Next, he saw her saving his life in the cave against the troll, her bow on full display before jumping to her walking with him in the streets of Asgard.
"Thrud?" Dorian muttered, recognizing the memories of their time together. "What is she doing there?"
"Oh no," Sif grimaced. "She must have wandered too close to the crystal and entered its field of influence. She can't hear us, but her memories and thoughts are being visualized just like ours."
Her thoughts, memories…and fantasies.
Dorian's stomach turned as he saw Thrud beaten bloody by what looked like a mass of roots and tendrils of life. It took a moment for him to realize that had been him, his Breakdown from Kyoto.
"For so many to see her like this," Sif looked distraught seeing her daughter in such a state, giving away an aspect of the match Dorian had been unaware of.
"So many? Wait, can they see our fight out there!?"
"They can, this is projected to everyone witnessing our fight. Our mental struggle is visible to everyone, it was meant to…what is that!?"
Dorian saw his and Thrud's day out, their times together laughing and sharing drinks in between their matches of that day. He couldn't be certain, but Thrud seemed to be glowing brighter than ever, whether it was due to his now-third party perspective or an alteration due to her fantasies, he couldn't say.
She looks so happy, if spending time together does that, how could I ever deny her feelings?
"Why don't we get out of here?" The projection of Thrud muttered coyly in his ear, an event he knew for certain did not happen. Dorian put two and two together immediately, her fantasies were now mixing with reality, showcasing what she'd wanted to happen.
"You didn't!?" Sif's hair started moving on its own as her aura flared with the mental projection of Thrud leading Dorian to the villa they were staying at, the intentions in her eyes clear.
"I did not!" Dorian insisted as the killing intent rose from her mother. "We came here to continue competing! I haven't yet…"
Her defenses! He realized in a heartbeat. She's so concerned about Thrud I can see her thoughts, I can…wait. If everyone can see our fight, then that means they'll be able to…
"I SURRENDER!" Dorian boomed at the top of his lungs, the connection to the crystal shattering a moment before Thrud's tunic was set to hit the floor. At the prospect of an entire crowd seeing Thrud naked, real or not, Dorian chose what was more important. She'd never been ashamed of her body or overly modest, all the same the idea of so many seeing her that way elicited an automatic reaction from the Einherjar.
He spilled backwards out of his seat, toppling over nearly cracking his head off the stonework. As always, however, he was caught before he hit by the strong hands of the woman who'd taught him how to fight.
"Hey," Thrud smiled looking down into his eyes, stroking his face with a hand. "So, I'm guessing things didn't go well?"
"Better than I expected," he gasped as his body started working again with his mind catching up. "I'm sorry, I had to surrender to…"
"I know, we could see it," her cheeks softly blushed red, barely noticeable but it was there. "A few made some rather crude remarks about my…fantasies," it was only then Dorian noticed a small collection of men and women piled unconscious in the crowd, the rest staying a respectable distance from the daughter of Thor.
"And with Dorian Held's surrender, Lady Sif maintains her championship!" The crowd exploded as the goddess stood without acknowledging them, approaching the pair with an analytical expression mixed with a hint of frustration.
"You surrendered to spare my daughter's fantasies being broadcast for all of Vanaheim to see," she held up a hand to silence his incoming reply. "That shows sacrifice, more than I expected for how you would deal with defeat. And her feelings for you were…obvious enough."
"And mine for her," he replied, in no rush to get up from Thrud's lap. "But you knew that beforehand, didn't you? This has all been tradition."
"You saw it?" Sif raised an eyebrow. "What I was thinking?"
"No, even worried about her your mental defenses were too strong," he admitted openly. "But from what I've seen you're a kind person. That ultimatum felt too cold to be true so…I guessed. You didn't mean what you said did you?"
She whispered, Thrud recalled what Sif had whispered in her ear. That the last thing she said before entering the crystal is a lie. She wouldn't have blocked our dating unless he failed her test. She wanted to see how Dorian dealt with an unwinnable situation.
"EXCELLENTLY DONE DORIAN HELD. YOU HAVE PASSED THE TRIALS OF MY SONS AND BELOVED; YOU HAVE BUT ONE LEFT TO FACE…"
Dorian paled, recognizing the booming sound coming seemingly from above causing the entire crowd to look up in awe.
Oh no…not now!
A crackling bolt of lightning followed by a boom of thunder struck the ground on top of them, the residual energy dissipating into the ground giving those closest a painful jolt. Before them, the hulking form of a man with burning hair braided more times than could be counted stood atop the charred black stonework where he had fallen. Dorian held his ground as every bone in his body demanded he run as fast as possible as the force of pure nature before him stood tall looming over everyone present.
"NOW!" Thor boomed; a Mjolnir small enough to be latched to his belt crackling threateningly once more with energy. "IT IS TIME FOR THE FATHER TO EVALUATE HE WHO IS THE FIRST WHO HAS TRULY CAUGHT THE EYE OF HIS ONLY DAUGHTER…"
Vanaheim Root of Yggdrasil…
"Why does it never seem to ever fully go away?" Hecuba grumbled, scrubbing sand from her arms and legs in a portion of the island where there were no prying eyes. She was naked, her swimsuit laid out on the rock currently blocking the faraway party, the music barely audible from such a distance. "I can never get it out of…WHO IS THERE?"
She turned to look behind her, the clear presence of another person unmistakable. She did not bring Monster's Bane and Xenovia was too far to supply Durandal, however she was more than willing to summon her javelins to run the peeping tom through. It was her immense surprise when she recognized the man who emerged from around the rock.
"Vali?"
"I…did not mean to come upon you at such a time," he flatly answered, his eyes looking her up and down quickly before locking with hers. Hecuba narrowed her lids towards the White Dragon Emperor, trying to get a read on him. "In truth I was trying to avoid the others as much as possible, I did not plan to interact." With that last statement, he retreated to his previous location.
"What are you doing here?" Hecuba quickly donned her swimsuit again, a simple task with its skimpy nature. Ignoring how long he stared before answering her question, she grabbed a bowl filled with food she'd intended to be her dinner and rounded the boulder, locating where he'd been just out of sight.
"I can go where I wish," Vali Lucifer replied. The silver-haired man sat on a small boulder overlooking the ocean. With the way his sour expression sat on his face and his hair swaying in the breeze, Hecuba had to admit he'd mastered dramatic stares down to an art form. "If you must know, I am forced to remain in this realm for the next few days until this adoption of theirs is finalized. I sensed a strong energy here and came to see if there was a worthy opponent, I was quite disappointed."
"A root of Yggdrasil must put out a lot of power, or did you mean the people here?" He did not answer, the young Spartan avoiding chastising him over seeing her naked. His intentions being there did not seem nefarious nor was she overly modest, many having seen her in such a state. "Did you consider joining us?"
She motioned over to the party, Irina having seemingly forgotten her reserved nature cheering at a table with Iggy and Xenovia watching Kuroka flip a mug upside down. Another stout Einherjar attempted to do the same only to fall over unconscious before succeeding. The Spartan surmised that Sage Arts could be purging the alcohol and letting her last longer, but for once decided to overlook her clear advantage.
"Why do you care? I am uninterested in that sort of life."
"Call it old habits," she took a seat a respectful distance from the man. "I used to command thousands back in Olympus, more than once a soldier would have some conflict or struggle. As their commander, it was my duty to see it through."
"I am not one of your soldiers," he pointed out not in a harsh tone.
"Maybe so, but you fought me back then to try and teach me something. You have your lessons, and I have mine. I was not fond of roughhousing and frivolous use of time, but Bennia and the others showed the appeal of such a thing in small doses. Even your teammate Kuroka. You may not be one of my soldiers, but you have the mentality of one."
"Not everyone was raised in a nice bubble like Issei, or cared for by others like Dorian, or coddled as the heir of a hero like you," he explained with a short, curt response. "You see the world your way, and I see it mine, it is not a kind place."
"No, no it's not," he was surprised by her agreement, expecting an argument of the beauty all around them that others may have tried to make. "The strong make the world what they want, it's true for devils…it's true for humans and likely everyone else."
"Dragons most of all. I will fight Issei someday, the Red against the White, there is no denying that. Even with me being an…ally at present, there is no fighting our inborn nature."
"Issei seems to be," Hecuba pointed out. "But perhaps this time with your new family will show you something different." She noticed his subtle eye twitch at the mention of family, almost asking about it but thought better so as not to lose the progress she had made. "I suppose, if you were adopted by Odin and Dorian is a ward of Freyja now…does that make you two brothers?"
The pale expression and glare of absolute horror from Vali made Hecuba realize the thought had never crossed his mind, his brain racing with what that meant and likely what others would think if they saw the connection too. He opened his mouth, no doubt to make a scathing threat if she ever mentioned it to anyone, however he never got a chance as a low rumbling broke the awkward silence originating from the devil-dragon's gut.
"Hungry?" She asked.
"No," Vali turned away. "I think I've had enough of company, go back to the celebration. I will grow stronger my way, defeat Issei and any other powerful foes, Great Red too someday, even my Grandfa…" he froze, shocked by how he had nearly uttered the next words before catching himself. "I won't become weak nor have a desire to be a hero, there is nothing else to say."
"I have become stronger since leaving Olympus, I will only say to try what you think you might not like. It is possible that may make you stronger than ever." Vali refused to look her way again, the Spartan standing from the rock and, with a straightening of her bikini, ventured back to the lights and jubilation beyond.
She's gone, Albion alerted his wielder. You can stop pretending to not stare.
"Shut up," Vali went back to brooding at the ocean. "Interacting with them will only get in my way, I won't gain anything meaningful from it."
Not even a hearty meal? I believe she left you a parting gift.
Vali turned, glancing down to see a steaming bowl of ramen noodles where the Spartan had once occupied. He almost called out to her, but noticed she was already back at the party, any attempt to garner her attention would attract eyes of the others, particularly Kuroka. Sighing in defeat at an additional grumble from his stomach, Vali claimed the food and started to eat.
Well, she is a Spartan, you admired their skills during those years training did you not? Maybe you should keep an eye on her. As you try to make her stronger, she might toughen you up as well. I could feel your heart skip from here when you came upon her…
"Albion…please just shut up."
Vanaheim Streets…
He's the 8th strongest being on the planet! Dorian's mind raced as Thor marched closer to him, Sif and Thrud quietly backing away with a bow of respect. If he makes a combat challenge, I am dead, if he tries a drinking challenge my liver will most likely be dead, I remember what he drank with Baraqiel back then. Racing, flyting, checkers…what could I possibly excel at against him!?
"Dorian Held, my new brother Tyr," his fingers nearly encompassed his shoulder completely. With a stern but gentle motion, he guided the confused student to the nearest table of a café, motioning for him to sit. "You have passed these trials and remain standing; you must love my daughter very much. TWO OF YOUR BEST!" He shouted to the awe-struck serving staff who scrambled to comply to his order.
"I do," he answered, taking note the hand was still resting on his shoulder. "If you worry I won't treat her right, then quite frankly I'll take on any challenge you have!" Thor's echoing laugh shaking the very stones in response to his words surprised the young Einherjar.
"Oh Dorian, it is too soon for you to die yet, and we are having that challenge right now…the MIGHTIEST I could conceive after all you've been through. Not just the ones you faced today, but outracing the dead to Helheim, completing the trials of Jotunheim, facing the darkness of Nidavelir if only briefly. No, this one is FAR more grueling than all of them."
"What challenge is that?" He asked as two enormous mugs were dropped between them each larger than his head.
"We are going to have a father to future son-in law talk about my daughter!" He chugged almost half the stein in one gulp. "Now, I know you may think Thrud is an unbreakable, shining goddess…and you'd be right, but you must remember she is my only daughter, and as such you must know her preferences. I know how you are feeling as I used to be your age a few millennia back…"
"Please kill me now," Thrud lowered her head, embarrassment setting in even worse than had the entire crowd seen her naked. Thor continued chatting about Thrud's activities as a little girl, specifying all the things Dorian must consider during their courtship from her favorite foods to secret pastimes. All the same, she would not interrupt, the night going far better than she had ever dreamed since spotting her mother in the square. "Can't father just punch him or something?"
"This will test his patience more," Sif smirked back to her daughter, Modi and Magni barely able to resist chuckling at seeing her flustered for once. "If he survives the night, then to Ragnarök he'll surely last."
"No mother, even longer."
"But to make it through a night with her…" Thor slapped a pale-looking Dorian on the back after some time had passed. "…You need some meat on those bones! You've done well enough getting stronger, I heard of your monstrous power in Kyoto, but you must HARNESS it. Make it your own and it can never break your body again."
"What did you have in mind?" Dorian risked a gulp of his drink, immediately regretting it as liquid fire poured down his throat. His time in Asgard helped, barely holding it down despite the steam that seemed to be rising from his ears and daggers assailing his stomach.
"Well, it's only fitting for the father of your future bride to train you myself! Sturdy your body and spirit Dorian Held, my blood-brother Tyr! For I have special plans for you and the rest of your Crossroads. By the time we're done, there is no force in this world who will not fear and respect you!"
Dorian wins the approval of Thrud's family to continue her courtship along with Rossweisse who has grown warm to the idea of sharing the man they love. Along with this acceptance comes a proposal from the God of Thunder; training in the hopes of improving not only the Crossroad's ability to fight on behalf of the alliance, not only for Dorian to grow into his godly potential as Tyr…but also to gain the strength needed to survive a long-term relationship with his only daughter.
