TheHiddenLettuce: I totally agree, of the human students I always found her the most interesting. Even if not a main character, moving her closer to the action is always a plus to me. Hahaha, God of Thunder and worst timing in the universe XD
Guest1&2: I see, that would certainly be a different turn for Rias compared to canon.
Lorenzo Macchiavelli: While I agree that he is arrogant to think none can do things right but him, I don't really see the hypocrite point. His idea is that the CURRENT devils are useless, so he wants to create an army of super devils that, under his command, would be preferential to the current ones. In canon it seemed he knew something of the ExE gods and that they would stand zero chance in a fight hence why he wanted to keep our world off their radar by getting rid of the strong fighters that would attract them. I am glad you enjoyed the chapter :D Big events moving going forward, I hope you like what I have planned ;)
xXwolfsterXx644: I hope the wait wasn't too long.
horakthy baraq: Thank you! I quite liked the ideas they brought up in Vol. 24, yet it was after the main threat was gone and felt a bit too standalone. Moving it earlier and fleshing it out a touch I felt could add more gravitas to the situation. Hehe, I was hoping no one would see that coming. Kuroka gets her first piece from an unexpected source.
Enkidu: That truly means a lot that I can help improve your day even a little, hopefully the latest update can do the same. You never need to apologize for a long comment, I am touched you liked it so much to write such on it. As for Irina, I definitely see your point. I set up their friendship as I did as I wanted them to be close and flesh out her childhood friend aspect (Canon I felt didn't really do that since she only knew Issei until he was about 5). I will admit, I do adore the idea of she and Dorian together, but worried adding too many may be much for Dorian. But I wholly agree with you that they would fit so well together. All I can say right now is that a decision will be made by her in the coming arcs.
ahsoei: Exactly, the magic got pulled out of her when it went to the totem, but then when Zeno intercepted it and it went for Rossweisse, Aika's proximity caused her to be infused with it again when it left back to Kuroka.
Talking Pumpkin: Thank you! And understatement of the century XD He is more adventurous himself and understands his daughter is a grown woman...all the same realizing the timing he came in would be SUPER awkward even for him lol. As for more members, I have purposefully left out the Shinto and Youkai representatives which will be showing up in the next arc or 2, but what did you have in mind?
Gan315: Happy New Year! That is great to hear, I've been busy as well but it's always wonderful seeing your reviews. I sent a full reply to you via PMs but will answer your questions here. You are not wrong with Hades making enemies of everyone, unfortunately in his mind as long as he can keep them alive and in check then it doesn't matter so long as the world is safe. It's a very cold outlook on saving the world. And we can wholeheartedly agree on that last point, if it was easy jumping universes then surely other beings would have done it more often before now. Same for our feelings on canon GR...they have him barely mentioned for 17 volumes then axe him unceremoniously, felt very insulting to the strongest being of DxD. If you want to kill him to show the power of the villains that is all fine, but it should be done in a way that is respectful to the character especially with how little he was ever seen. I hope you have a wonderful day too and I'm always interested in hearing your concepts :)
reality deviant: She is a fun character :D While she may not be a main player, having her get more than a slight mention at the start of every other volume like in the actual story is a move forward in my book. As for Cao Cao, let's just say what he did is tied to the Sacred Gear of a Hero Faction member Marsilio. No spoilers, but he had a minor role in a side story of DxD I felt could use him having more a role in the main story. The help he is getting from the other faction will be showing up soon ;)
Okaze: XD God of interruptions, Thrud will want to murder him unless he makes it up to her lol. I hope you like it...his methods can be extreme.
fanficcyberman: Hahahaha, 2 new fitting titles for Thor. I am so glad you agree on adding those extra thoughts to what characters are thinking. I wanted to give an idea both of what they want others to see vs what they are truly feeling. Admittedly I am much more a fan of that against just showing what the MC is thinking. I have been doing very well this year so far and pray you are doing the same :) Always wonderful to hear form you and here's to your first review of 2022!
TheLycan2026: Thank you so much! With kind words like that, how can I refuse making more? :D I hope the wait for now wasn't too bad.
Crimson green flame: Soooo close, yet so far. Not to worry, Dorian isn't one to deny the feelings of those he loves. It may take a bit before the full harem scene but it is an inevitability...though each girl deserves her own time first ;)
dinocam3: Oh wow! You made a TVTropes page for Roots of Hope? I am so touched, it looks like a lot of work cataloguing the images and tropes seen so far. I hope the page expands as I am sure I included more tropes, though am not fully familiar with the site. Thank you so much!
Dragonx411: Well, Vali isn't good at expressing his feelings...if they are to move forward Hecuba will have work to do lol. I can only imagine how Thor thought seeing his daughter and 2 other women almost with Dorian lol. Pride for him as a man, but knowing his daughter will be quite cross interrupting her XD I am so glad you enjoyed it, always great hearing from you and your breakdowns of the chapter.
Tyrant Killidia: Currently, Issei is with Rias and Asia, though I've been setting up that Catherine has been looking at him in a new light since seeing his more selfless side when he thought of an idea to help the other women of Diodora's peerage.
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"So, I can make my body work better?" Aika Kiryuu asked while balancing on one hand in the center of the training floor of the Crossroad Tower. Focusing everything into her fingers, she was simultaneously giving herself the strength to remain upright while fixing any injury putting such weight on one limb would normally do.
"Make yours work better, make others work worse, Sage Arts is pretty versatile," Kuroka explained while balancing on her own twin tails making it look like the easiest thing in the world. "But you are a new little kitten, we'll start slow while teaching you what it means to be one of my kind."
"That's right, I'm a cat-girl now?" Aika asked as sweat dripped into her eyes, glasses thankfully removed and lying to the side. "I know waaaayyyy too many guys who would be too excited about that."
"Not to worry, we'll have you able to conceal your ears and tail before the next school day, can't have one of my students standing out in a crowd like that."
Aika had shown up on the Hyoudou doorstep drawn by her newfound connection to the Senet Piece Kuroka wielded. As far as they could tell, the unleashed energy from Zeno trying to claim the nekoshou essence left an imprint on the immediate area, Aika being present without them realizing. As a result, she'd been infused with enough power to warrant her own piece, the girl pulled to the manor. Originally intending to take out the power and adjust her memory, it was deemed as dangerous as attempting to remove an Evil Piece from a devil that could result in her death. In addition, the glasses pervert had begged to be given a chance to remain as she now was. Having discovered that supernatural powers were not only real but present in her school among friends had inspired her to want to see all she could. In the end, Kuroka saw no problem with her being the first of her Senet Team. With some convincing, Rias agreed as well and she was welcomed to the Tower. After introducing her to the team, Aika moved in for the duration under the cover of tutoring some of the foreign exchange students. It did not take much magical persuasion to convince her parents. Kuroka had been overjoyed to see her color of ears and tail were white like her piece, the same as her little sister.
"I knew you couldn't just be a regular nurse," Aika insisted as she wobbled, barely righting herself. "As if a nurse would look like you in real life, that's only in manga."
"Like the one you have made about the men in our lives?" Kuroka's eye gleamed as she held up a copy of one such paperback entitled "Prince x Warrior," a favorite among the school. "I read it in detail, the Manga Club outdid themselves…though I don't imagine they thought this up themselves?"
"Nope," she admitted, finding it harder to lie to Kuroka's face. "Come on, two hot blondes in our classes AND a way of teasing Issei a bit, it was inevitable a bit of funding went their way towards that particular topic. After I told everyone Dorian's stats, they couldn't accept it fast enough and Kiba's have been known since he arrived."
"Ah yes, Darian and Koba," Kuroka led aloud from the volume in her hands. "I saw the chapter where Headmistress Rosalia keeping those two after class for CRAM sessions. Ever thought of adding a cat woman character hiding among the faculty?"
"You'll have to read and find out," Aika smirked back. "Volume 3 comes out next month, almost time for the holidays. I still can't believe Issei is one of these devils too, guess they don't screen very well," she tried to joke.
"He has his moments," Kuroka leaned back in her seat as Aika continued her focus on improving the inborn Sage Arts that had come along with the nekoshou half. She had seen Issei studying with Koneko, treating her like a normal person. When he controlled his perverted tendencies, they got along quite well. "They all do, you should have seen the look on poor Dorian-nya's face when the big man of thunder came to take him away just as things were getting fun. When he gets back, I'll have to give him a nice embrace to warm him right up."
Musphelheim…
There is SO MUCH FIRE!
Doran raced across a series of mountaintops, each one an active volcano spewing hot ash into the sky all around him. He had thought ahead, encasing his body in a thin layer of Helheim ice, however even that was melting with him barely keeping up reconstituting it. He had no worry of the fear-inducing mist taking effect as it too evaporated in an instant. The young Einherjar did all he could to keep ahead not just of the molten magma pursuing him, but also what flew behind it.
"I AM ALMOST UPON YOU!" Thor bellowed, unleashing a cascade of lightning from the true Mjolnir that, while impressive, was a mere shadow of its overall potential. "If I reach you, YOU SHALL PERISH BY FIRE OR LIGHTNING!"
"Can I pick a third option?" Dorian gasped as sweat poured down his face. There was no escape, he'd been trying for so long. In a moment of desperation, he chose to challenge the wall of death chasing him.
Twirling Twilight Star back and forth, he made motions as if rowing a boat, the tumultuous paths of magma reacting to his actions. As Thor drew nearer, heedless of his actions, Dorian planned to make use of the connection he had made to Musphelheim through Iggy months ago he first wielded when facing Modi.
This won't work, Despoina warned once again. Just like the other tactics you've tried. He wouldn't be considered the strongest Norse god otherwise. Remember when he almost literally ate your Bifrost Barrage? So, what's the point of trying more?
Don't remind me, Dorian shuddered at the memory of his signature attack literally disappearing as it made contact with the wall of muscle that would put Sairaorg to shame. If I stop moving though, what would that say about me? I need to confront the pain and keep moving. Even if my best attack can't do a thing, if there is even a chance of something that COULD, I have to take it.
With his preparations complete, Dorian slammed his weapon, now shifted into its spear form, down hard. Like jumping from a great height in the water, a wave of lava pulsed at the impact and his manipulations rippling towards Thor Odinson. Despite the substance which could melt almost anything known, he did not slow his advance, holding the true Mjolnir outward to greet the threat. With a final grin of confidence, the God of Thunder was consumed, disappearing beneath the fiery waves.
You know that didn't work.
Must you be a downer about everything? Maybe I'll have a second or two to…
"AH! ALMOST AS REFRESHING AS A SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS!" Thor roared loudly; his voice not hampered by the solidifying magma around him. "WERE SIF HERE WE COULD MAKE AN EVENING OUT OF IT, PERHAPS EVEN A NEW SIBLING FOR THRUD!"
Dorian thought fast, creating a wall of Roots coated with ice which erupted from the ground a split second before the barrier around Thor exploded raining chunks of Musphelheim around them. He looked totally unharmed save a slight singe on the furthest part of his beard which he snuffed out with a single pinch of his fingers.
"Another failed attack Dorian Held," the young Einherjar couldn't help but feel his calling him by his human name was meant as a jab at the potency of the strike. "Allow me to show you how it's done."
Winding up, the god loosened the strap on Mjolnir allowing freedom to spin it at incredible speeds as it disappeared into a ring of lightning in his hands. After several seconds, he leapt high into the air, crashing his weapon down on the lava flows. If Dorian's attack was called a wave, then this one was a tsunami. The wall of fire and death was so high he could no longer see his opponent, there was no escaping it in time before he would be consumed.
"Iggy, that new armor!"
Dorian's body exploded as his newfound ability to manifest the light of Alfheim into an armored form took shape though now glittered a rainbow of hues across the spectrum of the Nine Realms. With this, he could contend with the darkest of powers, even…
"Nidavellir!" He called out, opening the jet-black vortex he had abstained from using since nearly losing his soul to it in Olympus. Now, with the protection of one realm he could contend with the downside of the other.
There was no escaping the attack, but with the vortex to the darkest abyss of the land of the dwarves, he could withstand it. The magma that would surely have disintegrated the young man to his bones after so many hours and exhaustion instead was sucked at incredible force towards the opening on his arm. Even then, the intensity of the attack kicked up by Thor's titanic blow nearly pushed him off the ledge behind him, digging his feet into the ground barely rooting him in place. He held, as his arm threatened to tear itself off, sweat evaporated from his skin the moment it escaped his pores and the certainty of death loomed over him, he held. After an eternity, the attack finally ended leaving the Einherjar gasping for reprieve as the entire landscape around him was remade. All the while, Thor merely stood there threatening another strike to put the previous to shame.
Dorian, I get it, you have big balls, he nearly choked at the crude language Despoina started utilizing to draw his attention. But you CAN NOT do that again. I am going to say this only one more time. RUN!
He bit his tongue, but knew she was right. The nightmare survival course Thor had put him through didn't seem to have an end, seemingly going on until Dorian ran out of energy and fell to either him or the environment. He was tired beyond the point of exhaustion, running on fumes with his best strategies to stave off death or worse each coming up short. Even the false Mjolnir had only stopped him for several seconds before the energy he'd accumulated over weeks was spent. As had been the case for the last few hours, there was only one option left.
Live to fight another day.
Aiming Laerad Ragnarok down, he angled a new burst of Helheim ice towards the route in behind him. A smooth pathway of frozen water expanded rolling out a route to freedom already threatening to melt. Praying he recalled enough of his first date with Rossweisse, he bid Iggy to fashion skis of roots upon his feet, taking off like a flash speeding down and out of the incoming grip of Thor Odinson. Adapting his other abilities, from vines to maneuver better than without, brief bursts of fire and other elements to hold off his pursuer or change his trajectory and others, he managed to keep ahead of the Thunder God's renewed pursuit. For a brief moment, the hope of victory played out in his mind.
"You avoid the lightning but fail to see the thunder!"
Thrud emerged from a steam vent that had obscured his vision, shattering the walkway just ahead of Dorian's location. His shield was ready to narrowly deflect Gullbjorn, however with his road of ice in pieces he lost all footing, plummeting towards the open lava below. Dorian lashed roots from Jotunheim to stabilize himself, only for them to burst into flames in an instant, his elemental seals the only thing preventing him from doing the same. In a moment of fatigue, he just had no energy left to do any more.
"We can call that for a brief respite," Thor announced as his aura of death dissipated as quickly as it had formed, catching him with a single hand that wrapped totally around Dorian's leg before reaching the fiery death. He floated safely above the heat, Mjolnir supporting their combined weight with absolute ease as Thrud relied on her seals of flight. "You avoided death and capture for nearly two hours, that earns you a meal of kings ere our next break!"
"I-isn't there anything else we can do?" Iggy asked, allowing her voice to be heard as he was hauled up, every scrap of energy drained from him after the long chase. "Maybe a workout regimen?"
"That will be insufficient!" Thor's enthusiasm and overpowering nature never wavered. "Workout, training and doing what you know is all fair and well to remain at your current level, but as you grow stronger it will cease to be enough to reach the next precipice. Do you think I got the way I was by remaining in the streets of Asgard sparring with my betters?"
Dorian flatly shook his head, still upside down but unwilling to interrupt the 8th strongest being's words of wisdom.
"Nay, I traveled, fought, challenged and sought out every worthy opponent across the Nine Realms!"
"And made enemies of every one of them according to mother," Thrud interrupted. "Could you put him upright before all the blood rushes to his head?"
"After that display the night I came for him, I am sure he has blood to spare elsewhere," he started, feeling a chill even down his spine at the glare of death emanating from his daughter at his jest. "Ahem, my POINT is that to crush your limits, to surpass your previous shortcomings, you must break your body, put it back together again and face death a thousand times! Just look at you Mr. Held, your Breakdown form shattered your body and soul, yet here you now stand as my blood-brother and soon to be son-in law!"
Gullbjorn cracked off the back of Thor's head by Thrud who was acting as stoic as she could despite the words her father had just uttered.
"So that's why you brought me to Musphelheim?" Dorian tried to change the subject to save him from her incoming wrath despite getting a sense of joy from seeing Thrud's subtle embarrassment. "The harshest terrain in the Nine Realms."
"Aye! For few places are so deadly to beings such as yourself. Verily, the giants can live here as easily as you can in a field. But for a human, even a freshly turned Einherjar such as yourself, simply breathing too deeply can be dangerous. Twas where I first brought my little thunderclap to toughen her up."
"Your little thunderclap?"
"That would be me," Thrud raised her hand, a look of pride at the nickname bestowed by her father when she could barely reach his knees. "For the thunder always follows the lightning."
"And you always accompanied me wherever I went," Thor pulled his daughter close, the pair rubbing faces together in a familial hug before concluding with a savage series of mutual headbutts. "Not only that, but the unexpected nature of her arrival. Nary did I ever consider being so fortunate as a father not two decades ago nor that my firstborn would be a daughter. Now here I am blessed not once for her mother, not twice for her…but thrice with her brothers!"
How are they this wholesome while beating each other up at the same time?! His observation of the family rituals was interrupted as a groaning sound escaped his stomach so loud that it gave the pair a pause in their merriment.
"Well, if you were hungry why not say so!" Thor held his hammer aloft, causing him to rise upward. "Another hour or two and then we can…"
"You shall take your moment of rest NOW," a grumbling voice rose from the volcano around them. "I believe you have ruptured one mountain range too many for the day."
"So, the mighty ruler comes himself?" Thor stood tall, puffing out his chest even more than usual. "Fear not, for I have broken many such in my youth and your land ever persists and grows all the stronger for it!"
"If these peaks are to suffer, perhaps they ought to do so for something worthwhile. Instead of training this whelp, face me yourself!" Dorian could barely stand as an immense pressure radiated from the opening like a great wave of heat.
"That would do more than make your lands suffer, nay such a struggle could break it o ruler of flames." Dorian was surprised by how eloquent Thor could be without sacrificing any of his gravitas. "And Mr. Held, while young with much to learn, has not been a whelp in some time."
"Ah yes, the High King Einherjar," Dorian had to cover his face as a blast of heat struck him. A great form towering above putting even King Ymiron to shame rose from the volcanic opening. He was clearly a Jotun, but with hair more resembling swaths of flame, his flesh thick and strong leaving such overwhelming fires as little more than a cool breeze in comparison. Thus did Dorian meet the king of the fire giants, Surtur himself. "Our younglings have enjoyed your adventures more than I ever considered. You have met others of my kind?"
"Just your kin from Jotunheim," he admitted, recalling the ancestral ties between giant races. "You are all so unique, it is an honor to meet you."
"An honor for one from Asgard? A pleasant courtesy, but unexpected. Yet another who seeks greater heights among our realm. You are so strong; I can sense it from here. What would you use more power for?"
"I am not strong enough," the second-year student answered quickly. "If I am to lead the Crossroads, I need to be up to the task."
"Your Crossroads, so small, so new. If physical power is all it needs to thrive, it may not last long."
"We're getting bigger," Dorian's protective nature to the team kicked in even against the flaming king before him. "I don't care how long it takes; we will grow. We have no Jotuns yet, perhaps one of your people…"
"You offer such a post to us? You, who now carry the name Odinson? Do you speak as Dorian Held, or Tyr?"
"I speak as myself, that is all I can do. You are among the Nine Realms; I don't see why not." The aged fiery giant looked surprised by the offer, Thor staying back watching the exchange and analyzing how Dorian composed himself before another realm leader.
"Perhaps outside blood is what was needed all along, untainted by words of old. You may continue training in these ranges…for now. And you Champion Thor, with your young ember," he motioned to Thrud. "But do so tomorrow, the land groans and yearns for rest."
"One day is acceptable," Thor slapped Dorian on the back. "You can get some food in your belly and a song in your heart. There are not many rooms available, so you and Thrud may share quarters, if you keep the noise down…" He paused as he was struck on the back on the head once more by said daughter's axe.
"Why did he look so surprised at the offer?" Dorian asked as they made their way back to the cabin set aside for them. "I recall from Lady Eir that Fire Jotuns were more reclusive, but still."
"That can be blamed on the Seidr, at least the ancient ones." Thrud explained, her father nodding in approval. "You know of Ragnarök? The end times and Twilight of the gods?" Dorian felt Despoina shiver at the second name, a title common in Olympus as well. "Well, when it was determined such a climactic end to the gods would come, they stared into the future to try and find the signs foretelling such an event."
"Did they find anything?"
"Nothing concrete, and it's been interpreted hundreds of ways over the centuries. Distant howling, a constant stream of numbers, unending snowfall, the death of light…there was only one thing that could be made out clearly."
"The fire giants marching," Thor concluded for her. "An army moving through the Nine Realms led by the greatest of them with a mighty flaming sword."
"Surtr?"
"It is assumed, hearing your people were seen in the prophecies on the end of life itself does not endear one to the world. Fire Jotuns as a result have been, shall we say, treated less than ideal by the other realms and it weighs heavily on them. Especially their leaders." Thor glanced away at the last line, refusing to speak of his own actions earning him the title of Giantsbane.
"Can't they look again, get a second opinion?" Dorian asked, feeling foolish as no doubt that was already attempted. Thor confirmed his assumption with a head nod.
"Many times, especially Jotun Seidr, however all the visions since then have been muddled and unreadable. They said it was blurred, like a great fog surrounded the events, not even Göndul nor the rest of your first beloved's family who mastered Spirit Magic were able to see more."
How curious, he heard Despoina mutter in his head. Her status as the goddess of mystery was not unearned, the gears spinning in her head as she pondered the ramifications. Maybe Ragnarök is multiple choice?
"Is that even possible? Um, that there could be question of the future?" He quickly recovered, almost forgetting they couldn't see Despoina. To that day, he had yet to tell anyone of her presence in his mind out of fear of what they'd do. Hades made it clear that the copy in his mind would be held accountable for the crimes of the original despite her death.
"Tis been a question since time immemorial," Thor waxed almost poetically. "Are we in control of our paths, or was it preordained before we took our first steps. I prefer to believe in the former. None ordain MY fate!"
"Except mother," Thrud jabbed again. The incorrigible sideways grin was admittedly one of the most attractive things Dorian had ever seen. Thor gripped his heart as if physically wounded by his daughter's words.
"A strike so mortal as to pierce the soul!" He flailed dramatically. "Truly, you inherited the sharp tongue from her kin." Dorian could not help but burst into laughter almost at the same time as the daughter of thunder. He never got tired of seeing her smile.
It's possible I suppose. No one has ever time traveled before, at least recorded as such. For all we know the future is just a big lump of clay and clairvoyance abilities just see one of many options. What was that thing about Schrodinger's cat? I knew I should have paid more attention to that lesson.
So, the future is both there and not there until we reach it? Iggy interpreted his scattered words. That is…comforting, perhaps that Hellish world of my dreams is not set in stone. We can find a way to stop it, I know we can!"
"Does he often daze off like that?" Thor asked as he and Thrud fell back to a distance he didn't notice while so engrossed in talks with those in his mind.
"More often than you'd think, he has company in there after all. We just sort of let him talk to Iggy when he gets like that."
"Would that not make your personal moments less so? I know you were not alone last night but…" He raised a hand, easily stopping her from striking him in the head with Gullbjorn again. "…I am still thy father, passions burn strong in our family. If you wish some of the competition removed, say the word."
"It's not like that!" Thrud spoke in the loudest whisper she could muster without Dorian overhearing. "Leave them be."
"I am surprised that my daughter would settle for being one of many. Did you not always speak of claiming what is yours?"
"He is mine," she answered with a softer tone than her father expected. "Sharing doesn't hinder that in the slightest. Rossweisse is happy, Dorian is utterly irresistible when he's so flustered and as for Kuroka…well we can just say I've warmed up to her."
"And if more come?"
"Then I'll show them my resolve, I take a backseat to no one! Where is this coming from; I know for a fact you weren't a maid before meeting mother. The only thing is…"
The only thing is I haven't gotten to spend a night with him. Rossweisse did, and now we have admitted our feelings for one another…
"Too true! Were your mother more open I would likely be just as weak for others, claiming many wives is no stranger to our kind after all." He released a resounding laugh that shook the area seemingly missing her second thought save for a quizzical expression that quickly disappeared. "Ah, you inherited my greed, I am so happy for you. I think you should head back to your tower for this night off instead of our Musphelheim accommodations."
"Why is that?"
"Well, I'll be at the cabin all night, I must so that Surtr does not think I am going to break his will and your mother will be coming by later too. I'd imagine if you wish for some…private contemplation with Dorian that you would wish for privacy."
Thrud didn't have time to question his words or threaten to crack him over the head again before her father suddenly took off into the air laughing like a madman all the way. Despite how over the top he could be, and his carefree nature far too awkward especially when it came to the love lives of his kids, the daughter of thunder could think of nothing but kind thoughts towards her father. He truly had changed since the days of his legends.
Private time together, is he making up for the interruption? Father, thank you. Maybe breaking in Dorian in a different way will help him survive the training regimen week in and out…
Shortly later…
The question is where to begin, Dorian tried to comfort his soul mate as their conversation continued unaware of Thrud and Thor's. We know a few who have ties to time-based abilities. Gasper's Balor Gear, the Barbatos Clan, Agares family, Rose will have a foresight portion of her trial. Maybe we can watch, you can learn anything Iggy, what's one more? The blushing expression of the young woman from within his mind at the words spoken would have been enough to raise the spirits of anyone no matter how broken. He could not ponder further as a finger suddenly flicked him in his forehead, breaking concentration.
"Your brow has been furrowed for like five minutes," Thrud prodded as she handed him a leg of mutton so moist that Dorian started drooling as soon as the smell reached his nose. "Focus on the now for once."
"Nothig wrong ith multithasking to the prethent and future," he rationalized with a mouthful of meat, teeth sinking into it with a satisfying squish as he couldn't resist waiting. "Mhere did yur dad goo?" He asked, noticing that as they reached their small hut after some distance that the God of Thunder was nowhere in sight.
"Well, the king of Musphelheim did just make us take a break, he decided to give you the day off. He and mother have some talks with Surtr and his council that will take time. Once you're done, we can head back to the tower, don't think your training is done yet."
"It had better not be," he was able to get out before taking another bite. "Your father has been kind enough to only have these on the weekends, got another school week coming up after all. I need to get in as much time as I can."
"Not only that," Thrud leaned right up to his ear. "I happen to know all the others are still at their training realms or out on missions." Her words tickled his skin as she uttered her last words in a tone that got his blood racing. "When we get back to the tower for sparring, we'll have it all to ourselves."
Vanaheim…
"You aren't advancing aggressively enough. Do it again!" Brynhildr shouted with a stern yet controlled tone. "I heard you had made such strides in battle, is this all?"
Strewn across the floor, Herja, Brynda and Misty were picking themselves up from the last barrage of intense offensive magic. Their barriers had accounted for less than nothing, Rossweisse's having barely held leaving the silver Valkyrie panting in exhaustion. She had agreed to help vigorously train the Valkyrie members of the Crossroads at the behest of Thor and was not letting up in the slightest.
"She's incredible," Herja admitted. "I knew she was the strongest Valkyrie, but still!"
"She is that," Rossweisse admitted. "She was the one who trained me most growing up other than my grandmother. My barriers were the only aspect that could ever keep up with her. Thrud and I lost every spar against her."
"You are doing far better than before," Brynhildr noted, looking Rossweisse up and down with a raised eyebrow. "My offensive magics could crack your wards before, now you are totally untouched. You have grown stronger, is this the power of having found a man?"
"Th-that is not the case! I have gained much, not just through my training," she informed her teacher with a stutter at the sudden mention of her relationship, showing the glow within the center of her armor. "I was recently made a High King…I mean Queen Piece."
"You have?" Brynhildr looked surprised and exasperated at the same time, as if the reveal had brought back an annoying memory. "Lord Vidar was given his own set as well; he's been hounding me in an attempt to make me his 'King' to such an extent."
"Is that a bad thing?" Herja asked, having finally gotten back to her feet. "It's supposed to grant you power and a connection to the leader of the team. It sounds like an honor."
"I'm sure it is, for the Valkyries he fancies," she got to the heart of the matter with an exasperated sigh and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Lord Vidar has been, shall we say…picky of those he chooses for his Tafl Nobility. Thus far, only Valkyries whom he considers beauties and seeks to bed have been asked."
"Oh my," Rossweisse's eyes went wide more out of courtesy than surprise. She'd learned through his father Odin that the Norse god of Vengeance's interests did not fall far from the tree. "What did you say?"
"What else? I slapped him in the face and took my leave, then he tried again…and again, and once more. He seems intent on me being his High King piece above all others. I am Brynhildr, the name given to the strongest Valkyrie. I should have been chosen for that, not for…"
"The transcendental womanly qualities of beauty which brings shame and envy upon others of your sex?" Misty glanced away quickly as the stern Valkyrie locked us upon her, regretting her inborn desire to wax poetic.
"YOU will have extra rounds," she raised her magic sword bringing it to bear on the Valkyrie trio and Rossweisse. Herja brought her hands up, fists covered in runes to increase their impact. Misty materializing a great spear from nothingness, only Brynda using a longsword of similar make to Brynhildr, her idol. "Have at thee!"
Misty was her first target as the trio attempted to surround her and attack as one. Their varying weapons helped them to support the others from different ranges but it also meant there was a brief window each fought alone that she exploited. Misty's spear put her at the longest reach, easily caught with the Apex Valkyrie parrying up the length towards the buxom fighter.
"Your blows are heavy, but you are not strong enough to utilize them head on against me. Use my heavy muscle regimen to make true use of your talents. Keeping a slimmer figure for boys is irresponsible!" She provided insight even as struck her with the hilt of her sword, the resulting explosion of fire blowing her backwards and out of the fight.
Brynda's eyes went wide as she realized she was next, too slow to catch up nor pull back for support from Herja in time.
"Skill, finesse and anticipating your opponents are needed for your style. Daily experience against multiple opponents of differing fighting techniques will do you well. You are too used to facing your fellow Valkyries and friends."
It was over quickly, Brynhildr feinting under Brynda's blade and twisting it upward easily disarming the girl named for her who stumbled backwards at the insurmountable enemy they hadn't once managed to scratch. Her attention turned to the last of the potential threats.
"And as for you…"
Before she could provide insight into how Herja could improve, a great barrier appeared between them, giving the blonde fighter time to grab Brynda and fall back to Misty's location. Rossweisse stood remaining to face her alone, brow furrowed in determination.
"…as for you, Rossweisse," she switched her focus. "You were superb at offensive magic, whatever other detriments you had in other fields. But you were always far too defensive. Your barriers are magnificent, but not insurmountable. That is why Thrud was named the strongest young warrior and not yourself, I remember that match."
The two Valkyries briefly reminisced to the day only a few years past when a young teen Rossweisse and Thrud had faced each other in Borr's Coliseum. The pair surpassed every other student of their age and even a few older to stand and determine who would be first and who second. The fight had been pitched back and forth, yet the outcome was expected from the get-go, the daughter of Thor would reign supreme. It was not her heritage or known strength that assured the judges of her victory, but the fact that throughout the match she had been constantly pressuring Rossweisse with a brutal flurry of attacks. The granddaughter of Göndul never found a true opening to counterattack and as Brynhildr alluded, was eventually worn down and bested.
Just like with Heracles, his magical resistance allowed him to withstand my attacks and my barriers did not last long. I will not remain in the back forever, nor give Dorian another reason to show that side of himself…
Rossweisse took off towards Brynhildr, runes in each hand to clash against her blade again and again. Her ferocity caught the experienced Valkyrie off-guard, a blow passing through her light-blue hair and claiming several strands. Her magic sword swung only to be parried unable to pierce the condensed magic formulas her opponent had wrapped around her hands.
"Where!?" Brynhildr gasped as she was suddenly beset on all sides, realizing too late that magic circles dotted the surrounding area laid as she had dealt with the Valkyrie trio. Her expert gymnastics and maneuverability allowed her to keep ahead of their barrage and even push Rossweisse back, though sweat started to pool on her forehead. "You are exceptional, but I am afraid I must…"
Brynhildr's words stopped as she performed a powerful strike infusing ancient magic into her blade at its point, a technique she'd developed over the many years specifically to shatter magic seals and reduce runes to dust. Instead, the silver Valkyrie brought the magic circles together, layering them as a vaguely-shaped blade emerged from between them growing larger and larger. It was a new sight to see her protégé wield a weapon. For a moment, Brynhildr thought she saw Rossweisse's armor start to shimmer, starting to take on a new shape grander than before.
The High Queen piece Dorian gave her. She is tapping into it already, if I am not careful, her raw power will surpass even mine. But if I keep calm, then…
"Ah, I never get tired of seeing you work, I quite fancy seeing you walk away too."
"What ARE YOU DOING HERE…my lord," Brynhildr's power spiked as the presence was felt of the godly aura staring outside the window. Rossweisse stopped her new counterattack, distracted by the sudden argument from the sidelines "You are supposed to be in Asgard!"
"Oh, they can handle things without me," Vidar Odinson grinned incorrigibly. "I would MUCH rather witness two beauties clashing upon the battlefield with such raw energy. Especially one who will be my High King, or should it be High Queen? I'll admit I like the ring of Mr. Held's chosen name for it much better."
Brynhildr leapt back, sheathing her weapon with a renewed groan. Fixing her hair to ensure it was all in proper place, she spun towards the door.
"We may call it there for the day, continuing with such spectators has…" she paused to remain cordial before a god, "…soured the training." She witnessed Vidar present his High King piece, holding it out with an inviting nod. "I told you before, I shall not be a Valkyrie only for appearance regardless of the honor of the post."
"That doesn't mean I'll give up" Vidar remarked while meandering to the door clearly to accompany her out. "Would that be like me if I did?"
"You could ask your other women?" The remark looked as if it actually cut to the quick, but Vidar's wide-eyed expression was lost in an instant. "If you MUST walk with me, give a moment to gather my things." He accepted her request, ducking outside out of sight. "That man, he's just…UGH!"
"If you wish to be his Queen," Rossweisse muttered low so only Brynhildr would hear, seeing a small hint of interest behind her eyes that had become more recognizable to her living at the Crossroad's Tower. "Then get him to want you by his side for a reason other than your beauty. When I served the Allfather, I made it clear from the start I would not put up with his behavior he'd made towards past Valkyries."
Though that never stopped his teasing at my lack of a boyfriend nor his inappropriate trips elsewhere…
Brynhildr glanced to her junior Valkyrie, her stern, mature demeanor unbroken yet it was clear she was considering Rossweisse's words. She would not openly admit such a thing if it were true, but the history with Brynhildr and Vidar was known to many. The young god had been smitten with her shortly after she left her old name behind, taking that reserved for the strongest Valkyrie. All the same, his appetite for others always kept her at an arm's length. The interest was clearly there on her side as well, but pride would not allow her to accept such a post unless earned. Such was the dichotomy between them.
"You have grown so much since you left us Rossweisse," Brynhildr laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Never stop, I have no doubt that if you hadn't departed, you may have challenged me sooner rather than later for my name."
"You have nothing to worry about with that. Even if I ever did surpass you, I could never give up my name for Brynhildr, I am not strong enough for that."
"A Rose by any other name would still claim the attention of he who shines," Misty added once more from the benches. A final word she could never resist uttering. "But so too is strength a name unto itself. A strength that turns to weakness when in the arms of…"
"This is NOT the time!" Herja grabbed her compatriot by the collar, pulling her back. "Keep this up and one of them is going to kill you, and US by proxy!"
Despite the legitimate worry in the blonde's voice, Rossweisse let out a gentle laugh. The previous year she would never have imagined spending such carefree time with other Valkyries. Only Thrud had been so close with the rest speaking of her antisocial nature in secret. Yet now, in so short a time, she had gotten a taste of what she had worried for years she'd missed by focusing solely on her academics. They'd even had chances to eat at cafés in Kuoh the last several months as friends.
"Same time tomorrow?" She set up before the girls could disperse. "We can all improve, there is no end to that. Lord Thor requested you train us for the fights ahead, and I intend to use every moment of it."
Helheim…
"Death is more than a power," the ruler of Helheim instructed. "It is a state of being that can be adapted to as any other."
"Does it have to be so cold?!" Bennia asked indignantly as they sat atop the roof to Hela's castle, teeth clattering loudly.
The young reaper had completely wrapped her cloak around herself over and over to stave off the winds of that realm. To the side, her teammate Seekvaira sat, however, had come more prepared, wearing a professional furred coat complete with a matching hat that kept her quite warm. As with the other members of the Crossroads, Thor had insisted they train with someone whose powers complimented their own to allow for growth beyond their current limits. For the devil heiress and reaper, there was no better fit than Hela herself. Hearing it could help Dorian, she was more than happy to sponsor the pair and teach them how she could. Even the Agares heiress' peerage would be attending later.
"I see you've already had some aid," she looked Bennia up and down noting her cloak being an even darker shade of blue than last she saw her. "I am sensing devil powers mixed with your own."
"Just a gift from the big Satan man for helping his kid and misses," Bennia smiled proudly. "I'm ten times stronger than I was before!"
"But still lacking compared to the mightiest reapers you've known?" Hela's words turned her smile upside down. "Do you compete for Thanatos' position of strongest?"
"I couldn't give a damn about that old fogy's spot. But we've fought a lot of strong enemies. If Rossweisse was nearly killed by the Hero Faction, and even Dorian was pushed so far, then I want to keep up. No, I want to blow them BOTH out of the water! No protection needed for THIS damsel."
"And the same is true for you Lady Agares?" Her eyes fell on the devil woman. "To be stronger than all the others?"
"No," she admitted with full honesty. "Part of understanding yourself is knowing your limits. Brute strength was never my family's talent."
"Just your jumbo brains," Bennia somehow worked the compliment to almost sound like a jab, even holding her hands over her head as if to say it was enormous. "You and Rossweisse could come up with a plan for Dorian to overthrow the Underworld if you wanted to."
"Why…thank you," Seekvaira pushed her glasses up while trying to remain stoic, hiding how much she appreciated her words.
"Speaking of Dorian," Hela fidgeted a little. "Will he be coming by? I am SURE the next movie will keep him awake. "The three of us can even watch it after our training."
"It is unlikely," Seekvaira informed with a hint of disappointment. "I left dilation barriers with each of the others so they can train longer in a short period of time."
The Agares heir had used her family power to create barriers around the respective training yards of each member of the Crossroads. Inside, time passed much faster, allowing days of training in less than 24 hours. Her power, while impressive, was not on par with the Roads and would only last for a few hours at most before running out and was not simple to recreate. They had requested to train within the realm of Yggdrasil, but Dorian declined. Due to the nature of that place, any damage inflicted within could have devastating effects in the real world to say nothing of how long it would take a pathway to regrow if accidentally destroyed. Iggy's mother had allowed him to do so prior to the fight with Modi as then his powers were insufficient to cause true damage. Since then, however, each member of the Crossroads had grown so strong. She trusted them, but worried for unforeseen accidents.
Compared to that place, my family's power is just a whisper. Perhaps Dorian would let me walk it with him sometime.
"A pity," Hela sighed disappointed. "I thought as a man he'd quite like the next film, love blossoming amid an apocalypse of machinery…"
"Machinery you say?" Seekvaira's attention was peaked only to be dashed as the goddess moved on without clarifying. "Perhaps I could preview it for him?"
"He will have to come back eventually, the little one stirs. It won't be long now."
"Really!?" Bennia's eyes locked onto the pedestal at the far end of the roof. Nestled within dozens of protective barriers, wards and other precautions laid the lone eagle egg left behind from Loki using Dorian's body to slay its parent. Circling it was a trio of flaming spheres, the gift left behind by Dorian to facilitate its growth. "I'm going to be an aunt?"
"He MUST return when the time comes," the goddess basked in how tender the women were looking at the egg, feeling the pride of motherhood she'd never thought would be experienced. "Their kind bond with the first ones they see, it is my wish for he and I to be that pair."
Bennia and Seekvaira glanced to each other with a knowing look, Bennia's far more obvious. The inference was clear, she wanted her and Dorian to be seen as the eagle's parents, a true honor and showed just how much she had grown attached to the Einherjar in the short time he was there. How far she wanted that image of her and Dorian to go, they dared not ask.
"He's a little young for kids, don't you think?" She teased Seekvaira, making sure to speak low enough Hela would not hear. She was surprised at the lack of a response as if she was truly considering the prospects.
"But that is for another time, now we must continue our trainings. Lady Agares…"
"Please, call me Seekvaira."
"Seekvaira, alas your kind needs more time than anything to grow in strength. That cannot be expedited by any means I possess. We can, however, work on that magnificent mind of yours. Such a gem can only be polished to increase its worth." Her aptitude for finding a true bargain shined through being for more than just locating worthy souls.
"What did you have in mind?" Her eyes widened as Hela motioned towards a door, the great hinges squeaking to reveal the object inside. "This was discovered on the outskirts of my realm ages ago. We do not know much of what it entails, only that it is…"
"…A MACHINE!" Seekvaira's composure fell away as she sped towards it, her own mechanical wings emerging out of habit.
Inside, a great form rested against the wall almost like a man fast asleep. It had the shape of a normal human but was over five times Seekvaira's height, body made of some sort of hard stone or clay. Despite its common outward appearance, great gashes in the skin revealed complex machinery and inner workings that would have had scientists clamoring to learn its secrets. For this day, it was reserved all for her.
"Dorian mentioned your interest in such things. My own experts in this place are questionable at best. In the name of our friendship with your people, I give full leave to examine it to your heart's desire."
"It's almost like the golem Team Vali have!" She started speaking a mile a minute whether anyone was listening or not. "But its design is not as advanced, a prototype model perhaps? OH! What if it is a mass-produced variant sacrificing quality for quantity? Is it even of our world? Maybe I could adapt its design for…"
"Welp, we lost her," Bennia groaned, seeing that she was utterly lost in herself as she poured over the automaton long left dormant among ice and snow. "Who actually keeps a wrench on them!?"
"Now then, for you," Hela rounded on Bennia eyeing her up and down. "You have a foothold in the door of power with the gift of Sirzechs, but I must admit there is not much you can do while still alive."
"…beg pardon?"
"Did you not wonder why most reapers are skeletons and death incarnate? Only the lower echelons of their hierarchy utilize coverings such as yours," she tapped Bennia's skull mask she had removed resting against her hood with her fingers.
"How do you know so much about the big man Hades' methods?" The eerie smile of confidence on Hela's face sent a shiver up her spine.
"You are not the first reaper to make their way here. The others were very generous with their knowledge. It seems that working for your former Lord is not easy."
"Ha! Tell me about it, I'd pay good money to know how dad puts up with him. But if I need to be dead for the next step of my powers, doesn't that cause a problem."
"Not terribly, you forget that I am both half alive and half dead."
"I didn't forget, it'd be a bit hard to," she referred to the state of flux the goddess appeared to be in constantly, shifting between a beautiful young maiden and a decrepit corpse back and forth. Bennia had never found it off-putting and thus never treated her differently for it, a trait that had quickly endeared Hela to her. "Just no reason to point it out every five minutes. I'm still growing and am a head or two under most people, if someone brought that up constantly, I'd want to rip their bangs off!"
"Too true, I apologize for my assumption," Hela managed a chuckle at the girl's enthusiasm. "All the same, the next step may be a bit…unpleasant."
"What are you doing?" Bennia coughed suddenly devolving into hacking as a great cold enveloped her body. Looking down at her hands once she could catch a breath, she gasped upon realizing they were shifting much as Hela's own body was between young fingers and skeletal bones. Feeling her face, she could tell the same was happening there as well, able to feel her own skull for a moment before flesh overtook it.
"Your magic channels differently through the dead, a fact most do not realize for obvious reasons. But if you can be in that state while still able to function, it can open your eyes to new avenues of your being. Can you feel it?"
"It tickles," she actually smiled after only a moment of what seemed to be stifled fear, surprising Hela. She'd expected the young reaper to shriek or possibly even hate her for taking the steps needed to expedite her growth without Hades' assistance. Bennia was terrified, there was no hiding that, yet somehow, she kept it from overwhelming her and projected only her incorrigibly cheerful nature. "Bet I could give Kuroka and Hecuba a good scare like this. Can I turn it on and off later?"
Her optimism is so refreshing. I doubt anyone could hope to match it.
"That you may," she admitted with a nod as she raised her hands gesturing for Bennia to follow along. "Now, if you focus on that sensation we can begin. I believe the Underworld may have underestimated your potential with a little backing."
Asgard…
"HAAAAA!" Xenovia cried as she brought Durandal down upon her opponent, continuing with a shattering follow-up blow from Angurvadal. To her shock, Ragnar's greataxe parried the strikes with ease, her bones ringing from the impact. "Your weapon can contend with a holy AND runic sword?"
"Magic runes of my own lass," he motioned proudly to his blade, the sigils etched across it glowing bright having reinforced it against one of Heaven's strongest swords. "Ye can'na disarm me that way!" He rushed again, forcing the blue-haired Einherjar to bound away.
"A good defense is a solid offense!" Not far, the giantess Ygritte pounded away on Hecuba's shield with her twin axes. "You can fight me all day, but it won't mean piss in the wind if ya cannot hit back!"
"If you can't win, then I can't lose!" Hecuba retorted; her breath strained under the amazing power of the warrior of Jotunheim. She slashed back with Monster's Bane but came up short, never feeling right using it against those she didn't consider to be a monster.
"Their training tactics are…ouch…extreme," Irina winced as a young woman tended to her injuries. She'd been sparring with Ygritte only a few minutes earlier and was nursing the soreness of many blows. "Are they always like this?"
"They are," the woman replied, pulling back a lock of hair to keep it from her eyes to reveal a pointed ear. She was Finna, an elf of light from Alfheim who had come to heal the injuries sure to arise from Ragnar and Ygritte's tutelage. "Those of the Nine Realms have come to realize that experience through hardships and pain create lasting lessons."
"But to what end?" We can spar like this for years but if we are not learning something specific, how can we improve?"
"Look closely," she pointed towards Xenovia in particular. "When they started, she was relying on powerful single strikes hoping to end things quickly." Irina followed her eyes with interest. "Now, she is evading more, thinking of ways to bring him down, even getting, shall we say…more Einherjar-like."
To prove her point, Xenovia parried his axe to the side, jumping forward to headbutt Ragnar square in the forehead while simultaneously kneeing his impressive gut. It did not go the way she planned; the Valhalla-trained warrior's skull being made of a substance stronger than steel. All the same, he looked proud at her attempt.
"THAT'S the spirit!" he bellowed. "Yer Church training is all well and good, but if ya stick to one style you'll just grow stale. Mix what ye know with what you learn from our shores and no one will be able to predict ya."
"We have all this time thanks to Ms. Agares' barrier," Ygritte smiled with satisfaction. "Surely you can pick up on a few things?"
"More than a few!" Hecuba accepted the challenge, augmenting her Spartan training with techniques from the Nine Realms. She was intrigued, recalling the ferocity of the fighters at Olympus and how she'd seen Thrud fight. Even Dorian, to a lesser extent, had clearly been growing more accustomed to their mentality.
"I noticed, Ms. Shidou," Finna asked as the spars continued around them. "That you only used your light swords against them. Do you not have your Holy Blade anymore?"
"I…do," she admitted. "But it didn't feel right bringing it out for this. The True Excalibur shouldn't be drawn so casually, only when the time is right."
"I understand, but don't let it hold you back. You will need to practice to master such a weapon. Your sword arm will grow rusty if it remains tucked away."
"That's just what Dorian said," Irina giggled. "He has so many abilities at his disposal, it's a wonder he can coordinate them as he does. He says Iggy does most of that, but I think he's being modest."
"He seemed to be that way last I saw him," Finna's words drew a quizzical expression from the young angel.
"You've met him?"
"Before he moved to Kuoh, Dorian attended a festival and I was fortunate to be his tender carving shields. He did not truly compete, though made a…" She paused, Irina noticing her hand was shaking a little. "…made a truly unforgettable shield. I painted it for him, and I doubt I will ever forget what he put upon it."
"You mean that shield in his room, the one of a seven-headed creature?" Irina had seen it several times when visiting, a strange sensation almost akin to dread following her each time. "I never thought Dorian could think of something so terrifying."
"I am not sure he did. I helped purge his mind of distractions when he made it, like something buried within his subconscious made clear. Normally under the effects they draw something dearest to their heart, but I believe he did almost the opposite."
Irina swallowed hard, not liking the connotations of such a statement. What could such a nightmarish creature be doing in Dorian's thoughts? She'd heard of this dread future he saw just with everyone else when he'd explained it in the baths, was this thing part of those dreams?
"You knew him first; did he ever speak of such a thing?"
"I think I'd remember THAT," she pointed out louder than intended as she tried recalling every detail of their year together in England. "Well, he had some nightmares every now and then, but who doesn't?" She recalled a short scream or gasp on several occasions when knocking on his door to wake Dorian before morning masses. On closer examination, she realized how almost desperately happy he was on those mornings.
Was he happier those days because such a nightmare was interrupted? I am sure Rossweisse and the others help him through those now. She covered her face turning red picturing the three in the same bed as him.
"Oy! Flower girl!" Irina's musings were interrupted as Ragnar called over. "You two were partners on your old team as well, right? Get over here! I want ta face both of ye and see how you fair!"
"Oh, of course!" Irina hopped to her feet, materializing a sword of light in her hands before standing alongside Xenovia. "Together, there are none who can withstand us!"
"That remains ta be seen," Ragnar hefted his axe, his form not overly stylish but the power behind it was more than enough. "Come then, I'll have ye both whipped into shape so that even those so-called heroes will be quivering in their boots!"
Elsewhere…
"Issei and the others of her Peerage will be promoted to Middle-Class shortly," Azazel explained from a hidden dimension he'd thrown together just for this occasion. "Sometime before then would be the perfect time to give a face-to face introduction."
"That will be the date we shall use then," Ophis coldly agreed. "To meet the one tied so closely to Great Red and see his powers up close. What makes him stand out so differently from the past Red Dragon Emperors?"
"He's Issei, that makes him stand out plenty," the fallen angel tried to explain. "Believe me, I've been watching the kid for quite some time. Trying to place him is like trying to explain the mysteries of life. You've kept your word; I want to thank you for that. Other than the reaper snafus the other day, no one associated with the Khaos Brigade has attacked any of our allies."
"I did not command them."
"I know, which is why we're still chatting so cordially right now. That Zeno character still claims he worked alone, but I ain't buying it and neither did Dorian. I don't suppose you know anything about that?" Ophis only shrugged her shoulders, clearly unaware of the reaper's identity. "In any case, without you pulling the strings and beefing up their fighters, we stand a chance of ending this sooner than expected. Seems more than just devils can get attracted to our little Issei."
"Yes," Ophis replied not realizing his innuendo or ignoring it entirely. "I am eager to find out what makes him special."
"And I am interested in what you can tell us of this Old God in addition to what the Brigade had planned for the immediate future. You must know SOME of where they were going to move next."
"You are greedy," Ophis remarked without a hint of hesitation. "But it means little to me. If I find the information I seek, you shall have the information you desire."
"And we all walk away happy."
At least until they find out about our little rendezvous, she is public enemy number one after all as head of the Khaos Brigade. My reputation will survive at least, as long as we get the information we need, nothing else matters.
"You are a unique man," the infinite dragon admitted. "You delve deep into the dark corners of your world in search of light. What will you do if all you see is the infinite void staring back?" For the first time in his life, the Grigori Governor-General was completely speechless on how to reply.
Crossroads Tower Training Basement…
"Left, right parry, and…"
Thrud tried to lead the sparring session with Dorian as she always had only to pause as he not only matched her but kept going, requiring her to update her own moves to make up for it. The man she'd grown to love had been catching up to her since acquiring his Balance Breaker, yet was always been a safe distance behind when she took their fights seriously. Now, however, for the first time she was no longer holding back in the slightest. It was a new sensation, facing someone on equal footing to her who was not a villain, God or monster.
He's keeping pace, I actually have to work proactively. My god, if he's blocking these attacks his body must be…
Her cheeks flushed as sweat ran down her frame, Dorian in the same boat with their skin glistening from the exertion. They had been going at it for over an hour since returning, their armor heavy and dented. Her realization of how excited fighting Dorian at full power made her feel pushed her to go all the harder, the battle maniac Valkyrie fighting with all she had. He had not blocked all her blows, the same was true of her with his, the two absolutely battered from top to bottom…and she couldn't be happier.
Thrud ducked below his latest swing, spinning to deliver a sharp kick to his gut. Dorian saw it coming, grabbing her foot with his free hand and pleasantly surprising her. Pulling her up, he sent the strawberry blonde warrior flipping head over heel to the ground.
"Are you okay?" He asked, the first time ever since their first encounter in the hallway fleeing from her. He was answered by a fist, Thrud pushing off the floor into his face.
"Never better," she teased as they continued their back and forth. Her breastplate had cracked and fallen away, revealing a black leotard beneath standard for Valkyrie armor. It was evident from the contours of her breasts how aroused the fight had made her, the tightness leaving little to the imagination. "But something is missing."
"Missing?" Dorian swung again, shocked as his punch was blocked by a firm grip, her palm closing painfully over his fingers.
"You're still holding back a bit," she accused, her expression now one of stern frustration.
"I don't know what…" he started to say before stopping, realizing he'd be lying if he said another word. "I didn't want to hurt you, not after what I almost did."
Thrud's wrath abated somewhat as the realization hit her. Dorian HAD gone all out in Kyoto, turned into the monstrosity that nearly killed her. That power was still in him somewhere waiting. He remembered her battered state barely able to move, that one moment away from killing her then and there in a blind rage.
"I almost did that to you," he uttered at last. "I remembered it after a couple days, every moment of what I did. I won't do that to you again, not Rose, Iggy, or anyone else I care about." She cupped his face, seeing a single tear running down it.
"That wasn't really you," the young goddess continued in as gentle a voice as she could muster. "You've always kept control of your power, that's what made me love you. You grew so strong so quickly yet never let it go to your head, never used it to justify superiority over others. That being said…"
Closing her eyes, she laid a hand on either side of his head sparing a finger to wipe away the tear, leaning in to rest her forehead against his own. She just held there, the two pressed against one another until she continued speaking.
"I am no gentle maiden, I am the daughter of Sif and Thor, two of the strongest warriors my…our people have ever known. That thrill of battle, it swirls in my blood as strongly as theirs. I've dreamed since I was a little girl of finding a man who could give that excitement. And then I met you, granted it took time before you could survive my punch," she chuckled once.
"Thrud…"
"So, I mean this when I say I don't want you to treat me differently just because we share the same bed. Rossweisse said she wanted us to be happy, I didn't believe how strongly until recently. "You've never had to treat me differently because I was so much stronger, those days are behind us. So now, as a Valkyrie, a goddess and as the woman who loves you, I want you…to hit me…as hard as you can! If you don't…"
"How could I ever do otherwise when you ask like that," he interrupted, acquiescing to her desire, seeing her expression demanding, almost pleading for him to understand her feelings. "As you wish."
With that last word, Dorian reeled back, landing a powerful right hook across Thrud's face using all the power he could muster even exhausted from their previous back and forth. Unprepared for the blow so soon, she was blasted backwards into the wall, shattering it with debris collapsing upon her for several seconds before finally settling. For a moment, he worried he'd taken her request too literally.
"Thrud, was that…!?" He rushed up only for the Valkyrie to emerge casting away large chunks of wall. Her face was redder than he'd ever seen, the shape of her nipples visible clearly through her leotard. She had an almost maniacal grin on her face, bringing a finger to point directly at him.
Iggy, maybe it's best if we made ourselves scarce.
B-but we could stay a bit longer, see wha…the young spirit's voice was abruptly cut off as Despoina forcibly disconnected her from Dorian's consciousness. At that moment, it was just he and Thrud.
"Now THAT is what I'm talking about! I felt that!" The golden warrior rushed him fast, hitting him like a javelin in the gut and knocking him off his feet.
Dorian was driven into the workout machines almost twenty feet away causing many to crumble like scrap metal. The moment of hesitation was over, the Einherjar countering by flipping Thrud over and lifting her into the air. With a war cry he slammed her down headfirst, breaking the floor nearly ten feet in every direction. He hesitated only upon realizing his head was currently resting between her legs, crotch mere inches from his face.
"Distracted by something?" She teased, seizing his head in her vice-like thighs. With a simple twirl, she had Dorian on the ground now sitting atop his face leaning back to keep his body pinned. "Getting ideas? Rossweisse mentioned you doing something like this for her."
"Sh-she told you!?" Dorian gripped her legs with his arms attempting to pry himself free to no avail.
"No, but I could see it on her face, thanks for confirming it. In that case…" Thrud slid down his length until her head was now at waist-level with him. "…I suppose it's only fair that I thank you for being so attentive to her." Her intention was clear as she undid his belt, popping open his fly with an impressed expression.
Dorian locked up as she gripped his exposed manhood, running her hands up and down its length without breaking eye contact. He could have stopped her, thrown her off and continued their brawl. He chose to do neither, the words of Rossweisse echoing in his mind.
"I want you both to be happy, all of us together. I truly mean that."
"Y-you're quite good at that," Dorian had to admit as her lips kissed its sides. He stroked her hair, fingers passing through strawberry blonde locks reveling in the hungry expression of hers that only grew with each moment.
"I've never done this before," her grip tightened only slightly at his unintentional insinuation. "But a girl can dream to be ready, can't she? Don't tell me you never strategized long before you ever found yourself in her bed." With that last word, she dipped her head down, swallowing him within her mouth as best she could.
Dorian gasped, his breathing quickening with the bobs of her head. Only in his most distant fantasy that Ratatoskr and Odin would have been proud of had he ever imagined such a thing from a literal goddess. Her look was intoxicating, despite the actions she was performing upon him, she never once broke eye contact. The daughter of Thor showed just how much the young Einherjar from foreign shores meant to her through their trials and tribulations together. She'd been in battles with powerful foes before from Sairaorg to Loki each making her feel alive, yet with the excitement she always felt, none had come close to how it was with Dorian. That alone was convincing enough for her to follow-through with her desires that night.
"Th-Thrud," he gasped, her technique surprisingly effective for her first time. His eyes went wide at the realization that she had tucked one of her hands between her legs and was in the process of rubbing up and down. She couldn't get enough, but Dorian knew what truly set her heart aflame and it wasn't a man just lying back letting her do all the work. "I don't think we finished our lesson, did we?"
"Finished what?" She raised her head to ask only for Dorian to lock his legs around her. Being as careful as possible, he rolled her over while also releasing the strap that held the remains of her armored skirt in place. It fell away as he was now atop, pinning her to the ground. This time, it was her turn to lock her legs around his waist, sealing him in place. "Oh, I think I'm going to like this side of you."
Dorian leaned forward, planting a deep kiss upon her lips, causing the upcoming counterattack to stop. The young goddess reciprocated, grinding up slightly as his hands held hers down. Releasing one of them, he parted the leotard to the side, exposing her lower regions to him. She gasped in surprise at his boldness all the while her smile pushed him to continue.
"Got a thing for armor?" She teased as she still had bits still clinging to her body. "I had no idea, but love it. It's about time."
"I don't do this lightly," he swore through ragged breaths, his demeanor oddly serious as he lifted her into the air, her legs still locked around his back. "I never imagined when we first met things could turn out like this." He walked forward until her back reached the back wall, Thrud supported in the air by his strong arms.
"You were just my pupil," she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "Now, it's not just you and me, but Rossweisse too. The three of us, don't get too ahead of yourself, I can be very greedy." She gasped as she felt him enter her, clinging to his powerful frame toned from her training over the many months, feeling a rhythm, the daughter of gods started bouncing with growing intensity. The fight may have been over, but the energy and ferocity of it was not lost in the moment nor out of their systems.
"I don't know what the future may bring," he continued, even proceeding to lock his teeth on the nape of her neck, an act she showed considerable enthusiasm for with a gasp of joy. "But I love you both, that will never stop."
He's so eloquent even in this situation, no wonder he is unbeatable at amorous flyting.
"D-don't think your session is over," Thrud warned as their pace quickened, the wall behind denting from the force. "I'm still your instructor, can you hold on long enough?"
The Einherjar was taken aback as she headbutted him mid-thrust, causing him to fall over while remaining inside her. In a flash, their positions had changes so she straddled him, pinning him back down to the floor with a new crater forming beneath with each bounce.
"You have promise," her flushed sweat-covered expression was intoxicating as she planted another kiss on his forehead. "But there is always room for improvement. Another f-few hours…that should be just about enough stamina training to satisfy that you have not been lax in your…exertions."
Several hours later…
"What in the Hells happened!?" Ratatoskr asked Rossweisse as they returned to the tower, flipping on the lights to reveal the room previously bathed in blackness. "It looks like World Wars three through five hit here!"
They had arrived to find the power out, upon inspection of the basement it truly did look like a warzone. Several walls had been blasted through, the floor cracked or outright shattered in dozens of places and training equipment utterly broken. They had been the first ones back, absolutely baffled by what occurred as the others hadn't returned yet.
"Maybe the Khaos Brigade attacked?" Rossweisse started considering every possibility. "But the Hyoudou residence is untouched. Fan out, we can try to locate…"
"That won't be necessary," Thrud emerged from one of the larger holes leading deeper inside. Her hair was a mess, she was covered in bruises yet somehow was smiling contentedly from ear to ear. She seemed to have a slight stagger to her step as if she was still half asleep or her legs were barely able to hold her up. The wobble could be seen even as she approached, the pair not failing to notice she was only wearing her tattered Valkyrie leotard, all other armor and clothing gone.
"Holy shit," Ratatoskr stared wide-eyed. "You look like someone knocked your socks off and curled your toes something fierce!" He had no time to dodge as a magic seal from Rossweisse struck him, throwing and sticking the squirrel into the far-end wall. "Hey! That's not fair, you can't leave me in the dark. I need details woman! Did the boss man up again? I need to know to be proud of him or not!"
"Thank you, thank you," Thrud embraced Rossweisse tightly with the smile only widening. "He and I…worked out a few things," she cracked her neck and all ten fingers, the satisfied look at each one removing all doubt of what had happened.
"You and Dorian?" Rossweisse's eyes went wide in surprise as she started blushing. "Is he…alright?"
"He'll be sleeping it off for a while," she answered with a proud expression at her handiwork. "I only just got up when I heard you, don't worry, he's still asleep." She motioned to the hole in the wall leading to a back training room that included a climbing wall and pool. "Thank you," she repeated with a renewed embrace.
"Wh-what for?" She asked, mind spinning as she pictured Dorian with her childhood friend and all the connotations of what they'd done together.
"For letting this happen, he'd have never looked at me that way if you hadn't made your hopes clear. We can be happy together; I know that now. With any luck, he learned a thing or two to show you next chance you get. You were his first, but I think it feels right that way."
"I meant it, every word. If there is anyone that I am glad saw in Dorian the same as I, it is you."
"Bet you never thought all those times exchanging tales of our ideal man would pay off, did you?" Thrud let out a hearty laugh. "Now we just have to think what we'll do about the others encroaching on our territory. I hope you don't mind me staying longer even with Dorian healed, maybe slipping into your room every now and then when the mood hits."
Rossweisse didn't know what else to say, only returning the embrace seeing her friend in a light she'd never considered before. They felt closer in a way that only two who loved the same man could be. Surprising even herself, she shared no malice nor jealousy towards Thrud's time with Dorian, each having had their first with him and a lifetime ahead for more. The pair walked off upstairs finally sharing stories of their experiences to compare notes, already trying to decide what to inform Gremory construction in regards to the damage completely neglecting a small detail left behind…
"Um," Ratatoskr muttered once he grew worried that they had forgotten him pinned to the wall. "Can I get up now?"
The Crossroads train under the tutelage of gods and legends to prepare for the escalating powers of the Khaos Brigade awaiting them. While all take the time to burn off some steam, Thrud has gone further and consumated her feelings for Dorian marking the second to look at him in such a way. Events begin to go into motion next time, but until then I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D
