runelt99: At this point, I think it's less splitting up and more "We have so many people, we can't send everyone to the same place every time." Which is part of what they wanted with the Crossroads since it means their numbers are growing and can be in more places than one. :D

OBSERVER01: Well, I hope to show a little bit of the everyday vampires in the coming chapters. You are right their leadership is pretty conceited, but the entire group shouldn't suffer for their select few. You got that next part right, time for Gasper to step up for Valerie...and I hope you enjoy where they go with this mysterious city ;)

DragonGodZalama: I actually address that this chapter, you have a good eye for detail :D The idea is he took the initiative to get there first after realizing they were going to the Underwater City. He doesn't speak for the entire mythology, but he does speak for his own faction and he wants to see what this city has in store. And I am glad you like my current course. Canon spoke of how Vali liked to travel the world and explore new places like Atlantis but rarely showed. As for Odin...I have no idea what you're talking about XD

Ragna126: Thank you so much! I hope you like this one just as much :D

Hollowreaper 93: XD Kiba doesn't seem the type to rush into things. But I ask you, how do you know what did/did not happen in that bath? Lol.

VoidIU: It's always great to meet a fellow Lovecraft fan. :)

Divine Blizzard: No worry at all man. Don't feel the requirement to write a review unless you really like to. I am so glad you liked it and know exactly what you mean how Youtube Shorts feel sometimes LOL.

Chidoriprime: I sent a full reply via PM, but you are right there is a lot happening. Now all I can picture is the cast just waiting around for the next chapter before they can do anything LOL. Or maybe have to shoot the scenes like it's an actual series and finish before post.

7: You got that right, canon spoke a lot how the Evil Dragons were pretty powerful nearly on par with Albion and Ddraig pre-sealing. Gasper's chapters will be later, but if you like the Nagalfr...I hope you enjoy this particular chapter. :)

Guest: Top 10 rankings of what?

fanficcyberman: I know what you mean, that is pretty bold/arrogant of her XD. And exactly, in canon Gasper stayed behind while Rias went ahead...not here with his newfound confidence to help Valerie ;) . As for Dorian, it's about time we get to see a glimpse of this strange city under the ocean...

Thank you so much for the kind words! It's super humbling that you continue to enjoy my ideas all this time. That interaction/politics in the background between the myths is part of what really drew me to DxD more so than even the ecchi elements. There is enough to go around on all sides as to how they've acted in the past but what matters most now is how they are trying to be in modern day. I have been doing very well and hope the same for you as always. Wishing you all the best and a wonderful rest of your day as well. I hope 2024 is treating you right!

avenger3576: A good question indeed ;) . As for killing a God, canon DxD once stated that with enough belief a god can return, however, it was never shown and this rule was basically mentioned in a single scene with no details.

Royalrain20xx: I sent a full reply via PM. It truly means more than I can say that you've been enjoying Roots of Hope for so long. Exactly. "Plot" is natural when people are in love and imo is a great addition to the motivation of the character, but shouldn't take over the actual plot lol. That's why I try to keep the scenes tasteful and not go into agonizing detail. We know it happened and reader imagination can fill in the blanks. Again, thank you so much for the kind words. I wish you only the best in all you do and hope to never disappoint! :D

And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!

"Get those supplies onboard!" A muscular older man with white hair towering over the group bellowed to a collection of exorcists. "We are behind as it is and need to be prepared for when we depart!"

"Yes, Lord Vasco!" They shouted in unison without delay.

"To think, even Lord Vasco came out of retirement for this!" Irina was practically shaking. She'd been excited to hear Dulio, the Joker of Heaven, was coming along and was beside herself when the older former exorcist had appeared on the day of departure. Being a living legend for his exploits fighting in the Great War, he was turning heads wherever he went.

"He is…much more intimidating than I imagined with his age," Dorian couldn't help staring at the tower of a man that even Sairaorg would have been humbled by in size. The Einherjar had put more bulk and definition to his own muscles, but the only time he was even close to Vasco's is when he was surprised and his body ballooned outward as a side effect of Idunn's Apple still bringing out his potential. "Maybe I should hit the gym before we go or have one built on board."

"Hmmm? What did you say, Dorian?"

"Um…I, I said isn't it wonderful?" Dorian quickly changed the subject as he looked over the loading dock bustling with the activity of a city. "This…THIS is the kind of thing the Crossroads are for!"

With Crossroad Tower being too small to accommodate the need workload, a portal had been opened to multiple regions of the world and beyond. Olympus, the Underworld, Kyoto, Heaven, Asgard, Vanaheim, even Mount Meru where Indra made his home. Men, women, equipment and supplies had been moving through them into the Nagalfr floating above since early morning without rest. Each member of the Greater Alliance wanted to see what this mysterious city had to offer and had put their brightest minds forward despite the danger.

"Rossweisse and Seekvaira crunched the numbers," he looked over the itinerary in front of him, though a lot of it was beyond his specialty. "At this rate, we'll be all set to depart before the end of the day! How are things on Heaven's side?"

"Just about finished," the reborn angel cheerily replied. Lord Dulio will be commanding the overall troops and angels brought with us, though he doesn't see much interest in it. He actually said for everyone to act as if I were in charge. Can you believe it?"

I can actually, he doesn't seem the kind of guy to take leadership very seriously. This way, he gets you to take care of the day-to day stuff. Though I know you can handle it, Irina.

"Same for the devils," the tall figure of Diehauser Belial, leader of the devil portion of the expedition, reported. "We have included some equipment loaned from Lord Ajuka. Whatever may be hiding down there, we will not be lacking on ways to analyze it."

"That is a weight off the shoulders," Dorian sighed. "Considering Lord Poseidon's insistence that the very water isn't normal, we'll be making use of that before we even enter the city. I am surprised everyone wants to invest so much when we haven't even reached it yet."

"The Nagalfr has earned its fame," the devil emperor of the Rating Game explained. "After how it lasted against the Jabberwocky, we all have the same outlook. If whatever is waiting for us down below can utterly defeat this vessel, then there is little the rest of us could do to reach it safely."

"That makes sense, I suppose," Irina tilted her head up in thought feeling a bit self-conscious beside arguably the strongest non-Satan devil in the world. "I'm still not very comfortable with…him."

Glancing in the direction of her eyes, they spotted Indra currently overseeing the Hindu portion of the expedition. It was clear that he was keeping his own supplies and manpower mostly separate from the rest despite their insistence of being dedicated to the alliance. It did not help that it was obvious he was glancing in Dorian's direction every so often, sunglasses obscuring his eyes.

"Not many are," Diehauser admitted. "But he seems to be at least staying cordial for the duration. He will be kept under observation, do not worry about that. I believe the other Hindu deities are most confused by his joining of the Grand Alliance."

"His joining?" Dorian looked confused. "But I thought…"

"Yes, he did make a grand spectacle of it, did he not?" Diehauser clarified. "There are a great many gods from their lands and few work together. Indra agreed to joining the alliance, yet the others such as Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma have not contacted us."

"I know he and Shiva are not fond of each other," Dorian revealed one of the few pieces of information he knew of the Hindu mythology. "Will that cause issues later?"

"More than likely, I don't see those two coming together without some form of mutual destruction looming. Do not let that trouble you, we extended the invitation to each of the gods separately. If any others reply, you will be notified."

"Thank you for that, this has to be the largest gathering of our allied troops…ever!" Dorian let himself gush a bit despite the ominous cloud hanging over the expedition. "Not even the defense of the Underworld had so many different factions taking part. This has to go right."

"Such is the impact of our alliance and your Crossroads ma boy!"

"Odin?" Dorian used his name more casually as the Allfather had insisted since Freyja adopted Dorian as a blood-child. "I was not expecting you to come, are you here to see us off?"

"See you off? I wouldn't miss this for the world! I'm coming with you, who did you think would be leading the Nine Realm division?"

"Erland was present on board, so I had assumed he would," Dorian admitted. "Are you sure?"

"There are so many leaders joining this venture, what is one more?" He winked with a confident smirk. "It's been a long time since I got to adventure as much as I used to, let me have this excuse. Plus, I can see so many excellent examples of our allies' fairer sex." The aging god made some not-so subtle looks towards a small squad of angels talking to Valkyries and kyuubi youkai. In a flash of instinct, Dorian bonked him in the head with his pad.

How does Lady Freyja put up with him? Some relationships are complicated, I suppose. Let's see, it'd be best to keep some at home in case of attack…

Dorian ran over the numbers in his head for the hundredth time. With Team Vali coming along, he knew Hecuba would be best to have. Not just for her growing familiarity with the White Dragon Emperor, but also as a friendly face for the Olympus troops under leadership of Percelos. Irina and Xenovia had practically volunteered upon hearing of Vasco's presence and he could not say no to them, it would help distract Xenovia from her concern at Kiba's recent departure to Romania with Rias. Seekvaira would not let him deny her either, insisting that for such a massive venture that her managerial skills would be needed. She had not disappointed, Dorian knowing they would have been delayed by at least a day without her expertise in organization. That, and an excuse to be aboard the Nagalfr for an extended period was likely what drew her to desiring to go so greatly. As much as it pained him to do so, he was certain Rossweisse and Thrud would be best remaining in Kuoh.

I trust them with my life, I certainly trust them with protecting our home in Japan, Zepar too. Kuroka and Bennia would have been good to bring along but They'll be of more help in Romania. Be safe…

"Well, would you care to give us the grand tour?" Odin motioned to the impressive size of the Nagalfr before him. "Is there enough room for everyone?"

"Room and then some to spare!" Dorian had to boast just from sheer surprise. "We've been going over every inch since the battle and I must say, it is enormous. Right this way, one of the loading ramps is over here."

Within the Nagalfr…

"If you follow the deck this way, you will reach the Kyoto quarters," Hecuba directed the latest newcomers to the ship. The nekomata man and young priestess nodded before following her instructions. Seeing the Shinto and youkai members now working close enough to not mind sharing quarters made her crack a slight smile.

The interior of the Nagalfr did not want for amenities or size. The hallways were spacious giving room for several to walk shoulder to shoulder with ceilings even allowing the jotuns a chance to breathe. She couldn't pin down the décor, seeming both ancient regal splendor and futuristic all at once. Loki's design had no doubt been part of his preference for the grandiose and while they'd been replacing the gaudy tapestries and carpets with something more practical, the overall ambiance of the rooms was set in stone.

Okay, the Hindu specialists requested the most rooms due to their numbers, Lord Vasco needed the most open space so he got the larger halls near the engines and the rest are set up with a little bit of everything in between. At this rate…

"And what about my team?" The Spartan turned to see the familiar silver hair of the current White Dragon Emperor. "Where will we be staying?" Vali was leaning against a wall staring out the nearest porthole at the bustling below. "I don't want it anywhere near them, especially Indra or Diehauser."

"You have an issue with them?"

"I don't like people who I can't read, plus considering Indra was looking to make the Hero Faction his personal Vanguard, a plan you have essentially crushed, I don't want to think of his next planned steps. How has that been going by the way?"

"Well, to your first question, not to worry as we have your accommodations on the upper level. That way, you will be able to respond quickly if there are any issues. You are also isolated from other teams so there should be no visitors. The closest quarters are my own, though it should only take a few hours to reach the location of this supposed underwater city so I doubt anyone will be actually using their rooms much. To your next question…slow, but better than I hoped." She thought about the New Hero Faction staying at the Tower. They were under watch, of course, but so far they had kept their word of working with the Greater Alliance. More than a few had even come aboard the ship to see the city as well.

"Do we know anything about this city?"

"Just what was in the briefing the other day, do you have your packet?" Vali held up the documents given to everyone participating confirming to her he had received it.

"I explored the City of Atlantis years ago, not as exciting as many would assume," he huffed. "But if that Old Goddess, Kassaegtha, is interested or related to this as they believe, this could be far more interesting."

"What are you looking for?" Hecuba gave him her undivided attention, crossing her arms over her bronze breastplate. "I was surprised when you wanted to come along."

"The same reason I do any major action, strength," he answered honestly. "A place hidden from even an ocean god in his own territory implies there is a lot to find there."

"To defeat this person that you are after?" Vali did not answer as she assumed he wouldn't. In a moment of opportunity, she asked what was on her mind. "You knew Cao Cao before you left the Brigade, correct?"

"Mostly from reputation, but yes I did see him fight several times."

"Did he…ever mention how the True Longinus responded to him?" The subtle uncertainty in Hecuba's voice caught his attention. "How he tapped into his Balance Breaker?"

"No, nothing like that. He was very set on no one knowing what powers he had or how they worked. It took more than a little watching him to even determine what few gifts of his were at his disposal. You are looking for a teacher?"

"Not a teacher, becoming stronger for the sake of it is not my goal. With that being said, I want to know how to speak with the will of the God of the Bible. I heard his voice at first, but nothing recently. It is…frustrating."

"He may be saving strength, or waiting for a time to come out?" Vali stroked his chin before jumping to his feet. "What is it his followers say? He works in mysterious ways. That's ridiculous if you ask me, if he has something he wants to say, he should just come out and say it."

He doesn't like relying on others, that is just like him. He had a terrible past, that much is clear from what Tobio has told us. You seek powers so that you don't have to rely on others for strength.

"You are an incredible woman," his direct honesty caught Hecuba off guard. "You are capable of wielding that as well as Cao Cao ever did. His subspecies Balance Breaker won't work for you because it was made for him. You'll find yours, there is no doubt of that."

"Vali…" The redhead started as the ship suddenly lurched, throwing the unprepared man towards her. He stopped himself with an outstretched hand slamming into the wall behind her, the two finding themselves mere inches away from one another' face. "I…"

"Apologies for that," Dorian voice filled the ship's intercom. "Some unexpected distraction on the bridge…."

"Come on, five minutes at the wheel is all I ask!" The voice of Ratatoskr could be heard in the background. "Otherwise, I'll miss out when Iggy takes over!"

"It's not a toy-!" Dorian's voice cut out for a moment as what sounded like struggles could be heard. "Attention all hands, the last of the supplies and personnel have boarded. We will be leaving momentarily, please make sure you have everything before. A final sendoff will be on the main deck in fifteen minutes. That is all."

"I'll want to be present for that," Hecuba ducked beneath Vali's arm slowly, very nearly deciding against it. "I hope we both find what we're looking for."

"You do that," he put his hands back into his pocket and looked away. "Feel good speeches aren't my style. I'll be with Arthur and Bikou training."

"Understandable, I just thought you may want to watch your new brother work." The redheaded Spartan walked out of the room barely able to contain a grin at the annoyed and shocked expression she knew Vali was burning into the back of her head that very moment.

Up on deck…

Crowds talked vibrantly amongst themselves, some within their own myth and others mingling as they stood on the deck of the Nagalfr high in the skies over Kuoh Town. The weather had been kind with the sun shining and only the lightest of clouds floating by, some even passing around the immense ship.

"Please keep our communication spell open until you are out of range," Rossweisse worried as she went through the last list with Dorian. "If anything happens, we can send help. Oh, and don't worry about papers, I'll postpone when they are due and work on them myself. There is also…" Before she could worry more, she stopped at seeing the wholesome smile Dorian was giving her and all worry receded for the moment.

"I'll be fine," he insisted while holding her hand. "I promise. None of you have to worry."

"Not worry, but if anyone tries anything, Old God or otherwise, and I'm coming for them," Thrud promised at Rossweisse's side.

"We got this, but don't hold back due to boss' absence," Ratatoskr grinned from the top of a higher railing. "I am sure Dorian would love it if you two had some 'private time' even without him. Maybe record a bit for him to…" He didn't finish as Gullbjorn sped past, clipping the squirrel at the handle and sending him flying across the deck.

"You both take care of him too," Thrud pointed to Seekvaira and Irina who were at their side. Kuroka had already started to leave with Bennia and Rias' team for Romania and so could not be there, though they knew she'd have wanted to be. "If you break him, you have to buy him."

"I have considerable funds," Seekvaira asserted, playing along with the wordplay. "If I buy him, then he would be mine to do with as I would, is that right?" The daughter of thunder looked impressed by her timely comeback.

Is there tension here or is it just me?

"I am afraid we must be going shortly," Zepar put a hand on Rossweisse's shoulder. "Unless there is a change and we will be accompanying them, everyone who is staying had best be getting off."

Dorian made sure to kiss both Valkyries before they flew off over the crowd below. Looking down, he saw fully just how many people of the Greater Alliance were conversing and bustling on the deck below. As he considered how to address them, Rat climbed up panting onto the wheel beside him having barely outrun Thrud's legendary weapon.

"You're such a stud, getting two Valkyries to worry for yer scrawny little head. Wanna give your adoring fans a few more minutes boss?" Ratatoskr whispered as he, Dorian, Iggy and the Crossroad members accompanying them stood on the deck above. "Maybe they'll form more bonds, get a date or two that'll bring em together."

"Well, there are so many around here, perhaps Tobi and Va-kun will have a chance to let their hair down." Ratatoskr and Dorian trained their necks towards the source of the statement making their way on deck.

A woman with flowing blonde hair wearing a standard magician's robe tilted her hat back while looking out along the ship with an impressed expression on her face. She had a warm, caring ambiance to her that reminded them of Freyja or Akeno in a way though how casually she made her way up to the command deck showed a level of brazenness surpassing both.

"And who are you?" Rat asked, looking her up and down, eyes settling on her impressive bust he was sure was second only to Freyja or Akeno in sheer size.

"Team Slash Dog will be joining us?" Dorian showed a recognition only thanks to his recent visit to Kyoto. "Lady Reni."

"Lavinia, you mean," she corrected with a tut. "Any friend of Tobi and brother to Va-kun has to call me at least that casually." Ratatoskr perked up even more at the mention of her name having heard Tobio's remarks of how of the few who could get under Vali's skin, she was the uncontested mistress. Jumping onto a railing, he bowed low.

"The pleasure is all ours," to his joy, she presented her hand which the squirrel accepted, kissing the back of it politely. "To think we'll have both Team Slash Dog and Vali onboard."

"It's been too long since I got to work with him, ever since that distasteful business of his working with the Khaos Brigade. I hope he got the information he was looking for."

"Information?" Dorian raised an eyebrow. He'd known that Vali joined the brigade for a reason kept to himself beyond finding strong opponents, but it seemed Lavinia knew more. If what he'd heard was to be believed, Vali couldn't do anything without her seeing right through him.

"It's too bad, he really goes too far sometimes trying to get at that man. If he ever could forget him, he'd be able to relax with…oh, I do go on too much sometimes. Don't mind me," she suddenly started waving her hand as if to dissuade that continued thought. "Do you know where Va-kun is? I was hoping to talk to him and meet this member of your Crossroads he thinks so highly of."

"Hecuba? She was finishing prep inside, if anyone would know where Vali is, it would be her."

"So professional," she smiled warmly at the Einherjar. "I see why Suzaku talks so highly of you, after speaking with Va-kun and Tobio, perhaps you and I can discuss this venture. I'll admit, I've not been so excited for a mission since first exploring the Dimensional Gap."

"I would like that. There will be time en route, I am sure. I apologize, but I have delayed this and we must get ready to leave." Dorian looked away to the leaders of each myth faction; Diehauser for the devils, Vasco and Dulio for Heaven, Percelos for Olympus, Ouryuu for Shinto, Odin himself for the Nine Realms and Indra for the Hindu. Each of them led armies and nations, but linking them all was the Crossroads aboard their flagship, the Nagalfr. As a result, it had been agreed that while onboard, Dorian would have the final say in any disputes or decisions. It was a lot of responsibility, but one he was not about to shy away from. "Ahem, EVERYONE!"

The Einherjar's booming magically-enhanced voice drew the eyes of every person below as he stepped forward placing his hands on the railing.

"We are setting out on a massive undertaking," he started without flinching despite how many now looked at him. "I am amazed and happy to see so many working together towards something new. We will be heading out to the Atlantic Ocean to find this supposed underwater city. I won't lie, we don't know what awaits us as those that went before are missing. However, I have worked with almost every group here at one point or another and know that you are up to the task. Should we enter this city, everyone will need to give their best and then some."

"Here, here!" Hafga shouted below, the other krakens and other sea creatures accompanying her chimed in getting a rise from the crowd. Having just joined the Crossroads, she was a perfect choice to bring along considering her people's specialty in the water, a resource to not waste.

"With that being said," he turned, opening an enormous portal to the Roads using his roads big enough for the entire vessel to fit through easily. "Expedition Team…we are setting sail!"

Somewhere else…

"They left?" The man with white hair asked to his partner nearby.

"Indeed, but do try and restrain yourself. If you go now, they would have time to hear of it and return. Wait until they are long gone to make your move."

"Imagine if I could have dropped a few purple infernos into that crowd," a woman in the shadows mused, her voice practically giddy imagining the chaos. "I could have killed so many."

"And you would have died in turn, best to pick battles that you can win to make the sensation last longer." The woman shrugged at his twisted words of wisdom. "Is all prepared in Romania?"

"Nearly there," a disembodied voice communicating from vast distances reported. "Things are in motion just as you predicted. This may be the last time we can converse like this for a while."

"Their forces split, this will be our best chance, dear companions," Moloch held his hands aloft. "Our selfish desires may be separate, but each can gain what we seek through cooperation. For it is this eve that we…"

"He does like to hear himself talk, doesn't he?" The woman muttered to their third ally from afar as Moloch continued to expound on their situation. "It's like he has to rant every so often to stay sane sometimes."

"Eccentric, but powerful with knowledge he shouldn't have that we need. Work with him, follow his orders as if they were my own and by the end of this, we'll all have what we want."

"Regretting that little connection you made with him?" She mocked, backing off slightly at the uncomfortable aura emanating through the communication crystal.

"…And what I bring back will give us all we need to scour our enemies," Moloch finished, barely having noticed they had their own conversation at the same time. "Have the vampires come around?"

"Easier than I'd hoped on both spectrums, the Gremory girl has no hope of finding allies here."

"Excellent. In that case, I'll go put my face on…can't go out to my adoring public without looking the part, now can I?"

Within the Roads…

"That is a new one!" Le Fay called out from atop the deck while the ship sailed through the Roads Between Realms. From as high up as they were, she could see some of Yggdrasil's denizens including families of turtles as well as three great red stags galloping along the pathways. "I don't recognize that path."

"That road is heading down south," Ratatoskr explained with glee. Being Dorian's contracted mage, she had the right to as much information as he did, justifying the squirrel's desire to show off. "Waaaayyy down south to the very roots!"

"That's right, she is a tree, even a giant one, she must be getting her nutrients from somewhere. Did she bring the wells into the Roads?"

"Nay," Ratatoskr suddenly started acting very scholarly complete with a pair of glasses and pipe. "The three wells were already here when she first found the Road Between Realms and is the reason why she decided to settle down here. No one alive really knows where they came from. I like to think it's sort of like the water left at the bottom of a pool after it is emptied, something that helped make the world."

"Three wells?" Le Fay was furiously scribbling everything down. "How are they different?"

"Well, as I told Dorian a while back, the Hvergelmir Well was the first and largest but…" He paused looking a little embarrassed. "That was my old stomping grounds when I was little."

"Awww, your old neighborhood?" Le Fay patted Ratatoskr on the head, making him harumph and look away. "Maybe those wells have something to do with how you became so intelligent and immortal?"

"We don't go there anymore, an unsavory prick tried making it his own. He got what was coming to em, but a few off shoots of him still hang around. Best steer clear. The next one is the Urdarbrunnr Well, that one is just magic incarnate. Those old crones who founded the Seidr school of magic live there since it's basically where the source of their magic originates."

"The Norns," Le Fay piped up, remembering talking about them with Rossweisse when she was trying to learn all she could of their culture. "They take care of the swans that live there too!"

"Well, the swans were fine for a loooong time before those three showed up, but I am sure they appreciate the company. Lastly is the Mimisbrunnr Well, that one is deepest down below. Ye can learn just about everything there, it's where Odin went to do his half-suicide trick to learn runes and where that old codger Mimir decided to…"

"So many have come," Yggdrasil's voice came between them as her avatar formed on the deck, drawing the gaze of several who had come out for fresh air. "Can you and your expedition stay long?"

"Fraid not Yggy," Rat leapt on her shoulder. "Just on the way to this creepy ocean spot they're talking about. Gives me the heeby jeebies, what kind of water is not water?" Le Fay looked up quizzically as if it were some form of ancient riddle.

"Darkness and shadow are seldom just that in the forgotten places of the world. You be careful and tell Dorian the same, especially with that…thing onboard."

"Ooooh, you mean Kassaegtha? Got a beef with her?"

"Not personally, but I was here when her people still walked the Earth. The memories may be faded from the countless millennia, but the feeling I get around her remains."

"What feeling?" Le Fay asked nervously, swallowing far too loudly.

"Dread."

"You should never feel such a thing, my lady." A familiar voice boomed around them. "My partner is below, but I am glad you came, so I may speak. It's been far too long."

"Oh my, little Albion is that you?" Yggdrasil recognized his voice immediately. "How long has it been?"

"It feels like lifetimes," Ratatoskr's eyes narrowed as the White Dragon spoke, the clear tone of tenderness and longing in his voice. "You are as fair as you ever were, and I do not mean this simple avatar you have constructed." Le Fay slowly backed away so they could talk, turning to map the pathway Ratatoskr had pointed out led to the wells, though she couldn't see anything as far as the eye could see. "Were it not for being bound to Vali, I would visit as often as possible."

"Your current host is brash, but has a deeper softness that suits your own," Yggdrasil continued. "I hope you have been good for each other."

"Perhaps we could speak for what little time there is. How have the centuries been for you? Have you had any…"

"Whoa whoa whoa there Draganova," Ratatoskr focused so he could speak to them mentally as well. "The misses and I were having a riveting conversation. If you want to talk, you'll have to wait your tur…"

"Ratty, is that you?" The extraplanar rodent's eyes went wide as a familiar voluptuous woman rushed up the stairs towards him. "I was hoping you'd be here; I am so glad I could convince Poseidon to join this trip. You haven't had a chance to…who is she?"

"Aphrodite!" He started chuckling nervously. "I didn't expect to see you here. Things have been CRAZY busy. Um, this is Yggdrasil, at least her avatar. She's the one who runs this whole place."

"And 'Ratty' spoke of you in…enthusiastic, detail," Yggdrasil walked up to the goddess, both Albion's consciousness and Ratatoskr unable to look away expecting chaos to break out. Stepping close, their breasts pressed together as they glared at each other with growing menace. "I have known him far longer."

"Time has no meaning for love!" The goddess fired back. "His dedication to my work is awe inspiring, were you his muse before me?"

"Why do I feel like I've stepped smack dab in between Heaven and Hell?" Rat dabbed at his head nervously unable to deny the appeal of the two mature women confronting one another about him. "Now now ladies, there is plenty of this to go around…can't we all learn to share?"

Elsewhere onboard…

"Lord Vasco!" Xenovia caught up to the hulking elderly man in the hallway as he returned to his section after recent discussions. "It is an honor to meet you, tales of your exploits were what everyone was talking about back when I was in training."

"Xenovia Quarta, Griselda's girl?" Vasco Strada, considered among the strongest of the exorcists in his youth nodded at her. "I was saddened just as she to hear of your death and reincarnation at the hands of the Norse Faction. All the same, it is better that you have been doing well and continuing your studies."

"Continuing and more, Durandal still accepted me despite my rebirth, its sister-blade is strong indeed and I've been growing stronger every day. But you, you had a talent surpassing Roland, being able to say the same for myself has been a goal since first picking up the sword." Vasco let out a bellowing laugh that was more amused and gentle than condescending.

"Surpassing the previous should always be the goals of the next generation. Just how well does your Einherjar magic and training mesh with those of the Church? I wish I could stay and continue, however there are…many concerns I must attend to. Good day."

A slight chill ran up Xenovia's spine as he left. At first, she thought it was the sheer power emanating from him, even in his advanced age, but it felt more than that. Despite his kind and fatherly attitude, there was some sadness in his eyes. Deciding it was best not to pry, she turned to continue back down the endless hallways of the Nagalfr.

Indeed, Vasco thought to himself at length. I fear the time for me to see your talent will be coming all too soon. May our departed father above forgive me, but we do this for him.

On the other side of the Nagalfr…

"Va-kun!" Lavinia sang melodiously as she rushed down the hall towards the confused pair at the end. "So, this is where you were hiding!"

"Lavin…oof!" Vali tried to reply only for her to seize him in her arms, bringing him close to her chest as she hugged him tight. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know me better than that," she squeezed him tighter. "A place not even the Wizards of Oz have explored, a big mystery…and an even bigger one," she glanced up at Hecuba whom Vali had been speaking to looking on uncertain how to react. "You must be Hecate?"

"Hecuba," the Spartan corrected. "I am not a goddess."

"Could have fooled me, look at you making a new friend without telling me Va-kun."

"Th-this is Lavinia Reni," Vali tried to act professional without acknowledging her teasing but it was a losing battle.

"A pleasure," the redhead reached out, her request for a handshake finally freeing the White Dragon Emperor from his prison hug. He took the opportunity to back just out of Lavinia's reach. "You know Vali well?"

"We were practically inseparable," she gushed with a smile. "Va-kun and Tobio even saved me once from an old enemy."

"We share that distinction; I would not have survived my encounter with the twisted dragons in the Tower without his assistance." Vali's face was growing paler by the moment.

"Saving another damsel in distress? Did you get to say one of those cute quotes from your book? He HAS been busy, perhaps we could talk some and share war stories while on our way to this city?"

"That sounds nice," Hecuba smiled back, wondering what book the woman was referring to. "So, who was this foe that you fought?"

"An absolutely despicable woman named Augusta," Lavinia started as the pair started walking towards the cafeteria. "She had this Sacred Gear that could create holy flames that were actually this really cute shade of purple…"

Your first princess meets your new one, Albion teased a little bit after having returned from his discussions above as Vali stood in the hall wondering what had just transpired. Whatever will you do? You are not planning to grow your...influence like your rival, are you?

Albion, for the last time. SHUT…UP!

Elsewhere…

"We are nearing the location, exiting the Roads…NOW!" Dorian warned the ship as they lurched back into the real world. "I got us to the closest safe point to the depth provided that the Roads had a path to."

Everyone on the bridge looked around utterly stunned, the Nagalfr having emerged already completely submerged underwater. The impressive shield kept the immeasurable tons of water at bay with collective spells taking care of the pressure difference that would kill any who dared to travel that deep unprepared. The Einherjar made sure they had experts on diving and other variables needed when delving to the deepest points of the ocean in preparation for the expedition. The water around them was so dark as to be utterly black preventing them from seeing anything beyond the barrier keeping them safe.

"Let's try just a little bit of light. Iggy?" His soulmate nodded as she focused her tendrils controlling the ship. In a flash, massive projectors exploded to life across the vessel illuminating much of the ocean around them. A combined sense of wonder and uncertainty gripped those who had come on deck to see from the utter emptiness in every direction. It was Hafga who spoke up first.

"I don't like this," she looked uncharacteristically concerned. "Where are the creatures that call this depth their home? This region should be thriving, your lights are so unheard of here that surely it would not have frightened all of them away. My fellow sea dwellers could scout and see."

"Likely what happened to the previous teams may be responsible," Dorian theorized at a low whisper. "Please stay onboard, I trust your talents, but some of the groups that disappeared had ultimate-class fighters and it didn't help them. We are two-thousand feet from the point we lost contact with the Olympian teams Poseidon sent," Dorian started the meeting around the crowded table displaying the ocean around them. "I am sorry to say, there is no sign of them anywhere even with the equipment provided."

He felt a swell of pride despite the situation at the advanced technology and magical constructs now dotting the bridge of the Nagalfr. For the expedition, no expense had been spared preparing the ship for the treacherous journey. It would not look out of place in a futuristic submarine or science fiction movie with the modifications provided. Brokkr and Eitri were still onboard having become the self-appointed chief engineers still adjusting and fixing the vessel from the engine room.

"We were trying to construct a path safely to this underwater structure, which was confirmed as some sort of city before my men went silent," Poseidon explained in detail to the gathered leaders. "We tried to keep this detail a secret to not unnerve others, but they insisted that the water was whispering to them right before we lost contact."

"How many?" Diehauser asked from across the table.

"Thirty, the first twenty were part of the initial team and ten of my best warriors were sent in to retrieve them. After they went silent, we pulled back to this depth. I will risk no more without knowing what is down there."

"But you'll risk Dorian and all of us?" Indra remarked sarcastically. "Practically giddy with these Old God relics we're expecting to find in there?"

"I wouldn't recommend using any if you find them, Indra," Odin eyed the Hindu deity out of the corner of his eye. "Part of their appeal is how beyond comprehension they are, I'd hate to see you or your people consumed by one."

"Precisely," Dorian agreed, earning a glare from Indra. "If we locate any, the first thing is to seal them behind whatever barriers we can muster. But that's getting ahead of ourselves, our first step is to get there. How deep down is it?"

"That…we haven't been able to determine," the Greek God of the Sea suddenly looked very embarrassed by his lack of information.

"Nor could we," Diehauser stepped in. "Even with the equipment provided by Ajuka, one minute it reads at five thousand feet, the next fifty thousand."

"That's impossible!" The cry rose up from various others present around them. "That's deeper than this entire region of the ocean!"

"Yggdrasil had no Roads there either," Dorian added. "The only way there is straight down from the look of it."

"And this tin can will survive?" Dulio asked while leaning lazily against a nearby console.

"Seekvaira, Rossweisse and Iggy think so, I trust them. With all the people onboard, in a worst-case scenario there is more than enough extra power to put into the shield. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think it had a fighting chance."

"Nor HER, I imagine," Indra pointed to the doorway where a now-teenage Kassaegtha stood watching them with her black dress billowing in the wind. "Though can anything kill her, I wonder? Perhaps she's here to watch us all die then drift back to the surface."

"I've seen enough of you die to no longer find it interesting long ago. It happens every day," the Old Goddess answered dryly. "I almost vaguely recall seeing your death too, maybe something of my distant memory. Who is to say?"

The large Hindu god stormed towards her, raising a hand looking to seize her by the throat. A moment before he would have reached her, Twilight Star shimmered between them, slamming against his palm. His pride as one of the top ten being held up, the blade failing to pierce his skin as Dorian bumped Kassaegtha back a bit getting in the middle, however, his presence in Indra's way gave the god pause.

"Not…on…my…ship," he enunciated slowly, pressing against him to keep from stepping forward.

Don't show weakness or he'll walk all over us. Strange, Kassaegtha didn't turn intangible…

"Watch yourself Tyr Odinson," Indra held up his finger towards the Einherjar as he backed off. "There is a saying in my lands; The Old Ones lead to naught but madness. Even glimpsing their magic can drive the best of us insane. I would just HATE to see that happen to you." Without another word, he marched back to his side of the table, taking a seat between two of his retainers who looked quite worried.

"Are all preparations set?" Diehauser asked Dorian if only alleviate the tension.

"They are, we can begin the descent at any time."

"Well, no time like the present," Odin clapped his hands together. "Better to tackle whatever is down there, how about we make for the bottom before we tear each other apart?"

"Sound logic," Dulio popped a ball of chocolate into his mouth as he punched the Crossroad commander in the arm. "I'm all for it," from the scattered nods, he was in the majority.

"Iggy, we're set," the Sacred Gear spirit smiled gleefully as she took her place at the new controls built in the bridge. "This is Tyr," he announced over the speakers. "Prepare for dive, we don't know how long it may take to reach this place, so be prepared for anything."

"I'll take a quick nap," Dulio found a console he decided to use as a bench. "Wake me if anything happens."

"You can go below, might be safer there," Dorian remarked to Seekvaira as the exterior started to shift with the Nagalfr beginning to sink towards the intended target. "Your calculations on a safe round trip are finished, right?"

"Of course," the Agares heiress adjusted her glasses. "But I'd rather stay here with you," she took a single step closer for emphasis. "A-also in case any additional adjustments are needed."

"Of course," Dorian squeezed her hand softly with a smile. "This is something, hopefully whatever caused the other teams to disappear will think twice before taking on a ship as big as the Nagalfr."

Elsewhere on board…

"Who knew we'd get to see action so soon?" Suramar remarked to the small kitsune woman at his side. "When Lord Tyr told me this could be a great opportunity, I almost didn't believe him but I've never seen so much water."

"I suppose that makes sense with your home," she replied back. "We have an ocean surrounding our city, but I've never gone underneath it. "Would you…like to get something to eat?"

"S-sure," the hulking giant smiled like a schoolboy at the look she was giving him, impressed by his physique and how hard-working he'd been prepping for the expedition. "I think it's right past…hey, what is this?"

Ahead of them, the pair spotted what looked like a person sprawled face down on the deck. Rushing forward, they identified it as one of the Einherjar from the Nine Realms. His face was black and blue, looking like he'd had a confrontation with a brick wall. Immediately on the defensive, they looked around them.

"Do you have communication magic set up?" He shook his head. "He's alive, let's try to get out of here to…"

"Who is there?" A large older man rushed forward. They sighed in relief realizing it was Vasco Strada of the Church, one of the more prominent members aboard. "What happened?"

"He was attacked, we think," Suramar started while the Kitsune lifted the Einherjar onto her back in a surprising show of strength. "We were on our way to the cafeteria and came across him."

"Well, you took a wrong turn, this is the way to the engines and power supply for this side of the ship," Vasco shook his head. "It's a real shame, you shouldn't have seen this."

The movement was swift, the retired exorcist slamming both palms into the sides of the Jotun's head, sending him to the ground unconscious in an instant. The kitsune tried to run only to be stopped by an exorcist she didn't see with a blade of light. Unlike those that normally sliced through enemies, this one instead acted like a taser, releasing a blood-curdling scream before she too was left unmoving on the floor.

"They'll bring more no doubt," another swordsman stepped forward, angling his sword over them. "We should…"

"ZERO body count," Vasco threatened, grabbing his hand before he could lower the sword into them. "We do this for the good of Heaven, despite our actions. It was YOUR fault for missing this one. Take the three into the other room and keep it quiet. We have to wait until the signal or this will all be wasted."

"Yes Lord Strada," the men fell in behind him as they crept towards several of the most important rooms on the Nagalfr. In their haste to get out of the hall, they did not sense an invisible force follow behind bent on getting to the bottom of just what they were up to. A soft voice released only one sentence of concern at the scene before her.

"Lord Strada…why?"

The Bridge…

"Passing 29,000 feet, 30,000 feet…31…" A young devil shakily continued as the depth increased past what should have been possible. "We are detecting a strain on the shields."

"With the pressure this deep, I am not surprised," Hafga explained. "Most would be crushed into powder this deep."

"No ma'am, pressure was already calculated for. This additional drain is unknown, as if there is something else pressing against us."

"Get some lights out there," Dorian commanded seeing only blackness around them. "Who turned off the exteriors?"

"Lord Dorian…the exterior lights are already on." That single sentence was enough to send a wave of cold through the body of all who heard it.

"Then…why can't we see anything beyond the shield?"

"Lord Poseidon did say the water was not water," Iggy tried to rationalize the situation. "What if it is some kind of defense mechanism that got the other teams?"

"But we have nothing on the sensors."

"Nothing conventional…" Dorian muttered; his eyes drawn to Kassaegtha still watching from the doorway. "The dark, that's it! ALFHEIM!" Laying his hand on the console, Laerad Ragnarök spiked to life sending a way of light like a shockwave in all directions. The all-revealing power of the land of the elves exited the ship yet just like with their powerful lamps did nothing to illuminate the ocean around them.

"It didn't work," Seekvaira whispered, disappointed at another failure. Dorian, however, shook his head.

"Oh no, it worked," it took all his willpower to keep his voice from quivering in excitement. "It revealed exactly what is out there and confirmed it…the darkness. The darkness is all that is out there, and it's that which is trying to get in to us. Just like what Katerea's old staff unleashed at Olympus."

"Volody and I could hold it back with our magics," Percelos pointed out before dread could seize the others. "Perhaps a grander scale can do the same?"

"Let's hope!" Dorian leapt down to the speaker calling down into the bowels of the ship. "This is Tyr to all hands; I want seal defense teams and anyone with ultimate or higher skills to be prepared to target outside the Nagalfr. Iggy, can you fire a shot into that stuff? I want to see what we're dealing with."

Iggy nodded, unleashing one of the cannons that had been capable of pulverizing the Jabberwocky in their previous battle. Augmented by the teams doing their part, the shot left the ship and detonated moments after passing through the shield. For a fraction of a second, they could see the clear blue waters of the ocean illuminated by their lights. However, within a matter of seconds, the darkness coalesced again, blocking out everything and leaving them in shadow.

"That did something," Seekvaira had a series of magical symbols surrounding her analyzing everything around them. "A blip registered outside the ship, just a little one."

"Then we bring out the big guns!" Odin raised his hands, summoning his legendary spear, Gungnir. "You keep us going Mr. Held, I believe this is a chance for us old fogies to make an impact."

In a truly aw-inspiring display; Odin, Poseidon, Indra, Diehauser, Dulio, and the other highest-class of deities and fighters from each myth departed the bridge for the main deck. The darkness surrounding them did not deter them even as the shadows pressed ever closer, redoubling its efforts which had started pressing with more force against the shield.

"You heard them!" Dorian could feel the adrenaline rushing as he joined Iggy at the main controls. "Put EVERYTHING you can into the weapons targeted for a 360-degree dispersal. And…FIRE!"

The Nagalfr unleashed its barrage in all directions. As before, it created openings and pockets in the living darkness that sought to consume them. From these brief glimpses outward, it was clear that whatever this thing was it was massive, easily dwarfing the impressive vessel. The world leaders got into a circle facing outward even as Kassaegtha approached Dorian.

"The work of your people, I presume?" Dorian glanced to the Old Goddess.

"A watchdog of sorts, your teams are far from the first that it consumed to keep this part of the world hidden. There are so many tales of missing ships and vessels in this area."

"So, we won't find the old teams?" He held back the disappointment and sorrow at that realization. "Can you call it off?"

"And miss seeing what you'll do next? Whatever would entice me to do that?"

"Still on that non-interference?" The frustration in Dorian's voice was obvious. "I am not sure even you could get out of here if something happens to us."

"And what makes you say that?" Kassaegtha looked truly insulted. "I thought you understood how separate from you I truly am."

"You might be, but I noticed you've been spending more and more time in a physical form since we started this mission. Why didn't you go intangible when Indra moved on you before? Are you unable to?"

The ship was thrown violently as the external pressure on the shields surged, the darkness-creature realizing it had been discovered. By the time Dorian could right himself, Kassaegtha had mysteriously vanished. The Einherjar had no time to focus on his theory as he held on from the tremors that would surely have ripped any other vessel apart in seconds.

"If you are doing anything, NOW IS THE TIME!" Iggy called out, her voice traveling across the ship to the deities gathered on the deck.

Indra was the first to step forward holding aloft what looked like a club with a sphere-shaped head. Vajra, legendary weapon said to be capable of slaying gods with a single wave. Raising it high, a massive burst of purple lighting arched outward into the darkness. Its power was incredible, far beyond even Baraqiel's holy lightning with Thor's being the only thing close Dorian had ever seen. To the Hindu deity's frustration, while it did disperse the darkness where it struck, it did little as the miasmic void reformed yet again.

If the staff's release in Olympus got as large as it did in a matter of hours…just how powerful has this thing become hiding at the bottom of the ocean for millennia?

"If we gods are so much stronger than the younger generation that came after, then what does that say of the power from something older than us? How about we take a page out of the Crossroad's book…together?" Odin sneered back raising Gungnir. The weapon that could slay hundreds of weaker foes in a single attack unleashed a continuous beam towards the center of the cloud.

"Agreed!"

Diehauser Belial held his own hand aloft, sending unfathomably large amounts of demonic energy into the beam traveling towards the target. Dulio, upon realizing his powers over weather could not affect the eldritch entity, added the light of Heaven, Poseidon regaining control of the ocean around the darkness to keep it from getting too far. Every fighter on deck added to the effort with Indra standing stoic clearly unamused with the act of comradery. At last, seeing no other recourse, he raised Vajra once again.

"HAAAAAA!" The rulers and deities who had come with them pooled their powers to their peak and released it as the Nagalfr's guns roared in tandem.

The onslaught was devastating, pieces of the darkness now falling away, almost burning off from the greater whole. After only several seconds, they could tell the creature was clearly smaller than before with rays of light giving way to dark blue water beyond. Gungnir's beam merged with the other myths remaining constant, slicing through the entity predating human history. Finally, their foe blinked, its enveloping black breaking away from the beleaguered shield to retreat into the ocean.

"Do not let it flee!" Indra roared at Dorian, the Einherjar already having Iggy maneuver to pursue. "If it can regenerate, it will surely return!"

"You intend to finish it off?" Seekvaira asked as the artillery barrage of the Nagalfr rained down on the retreating cloud.

"It took the best we had to drive it off," Dorian looked serious, never taking his eyes off the fleeing beast. "That…and if I was wounded and running, I'd go somewhere safe. That means…"

"You mean to follow it to this underwater city we seek, perhaps a dock or port we can use?" The Agares heiress nodded, understanding his mind honed from hunting trips with Thrud.

The pursuit lasted the better part of a half hour, their guns seeming to chip away at it, but unable to deal a finishing blow at such long range. It was after this time that the vague shape of something beyond entered their sight despite not appearing on their sensors.

"Look!" Iggy pointed forward and Dorian saw what she did.

A city, or what could have been interpreted as one, lay below as they finally glimpsed the bottom of the ocean. The architecture was strange, twisted shapes and pulsating colors Dorian could not even identify. The material seemed to be growing out of the very ocean floor itself, but those aboard could swear it seemed to shift and undulate as if alive. Despite barely detecting anything from the surface, the strange buildings stretched as far as they could see in every direction within what appeared to be an enormous indentation or crater. What remained of the shadowy creature fled deep down, passing through a shimmering curtain.

"All stop, NOW!" Dorian called which Iggy quickly complied. "That doesn't look promising, fire a blast into that wall." The Nagalfr's guns echoed again, the shot striking the barrier with seemingly no effect. Realizing it could stop both energy and physical assaults, the ship sat eerily still as those aboard pondered what to do next.

"Should have assumed it had defenses like this," Diehauser remarked as they watched the eldritch city below. "It already interprets our presence as hostile, it may take destroying the city to bring down that energy wall."

"There is time now that the shadow hound has been dealt with," Hecuba voiced her opinion, adopting a name for it from Kassaegtha's description. "There may be a way to bring it down or deactivate it."

"Dorian, I don't think we're alone," Iggy suddenly interrupted the discussion. "It feels like…like something is drawing near."

"She's right," the Crossroad angel sitting at the sensor station confirmed. "I am detecting something huge descending rapidly already past the twenty-eight thousand feet range and falling."

"More defenses?"

"I don't think so, that shadow thing didn't register at all, but this one is showing up clear as day. It's definitely another ship from the surface."

"Don't look at me," Indra raised his hands as the suspicion fell upon him. "If there is treachery this day, it will not be from me."

"I'm getting signals, but nothing directed towards our communication systems," Seekvaira took over, being more familiar with the systems after days of poking around every inch of the ship. "It's directed…inside the ship."

"Towards someone to receive it," Hecuba said what they were thinking. "Someone to…!" The ship lurched as a bolt struck the shields above them, doing minimal damage but still being unexpected. More shots followed suit that could be seen when looking above, lighting up the dark ocean around them.

"Artillery magic! Holy light, no doubt based on these readings!" Eyes now fell to Dulio who finally looked to be taking the situation seriously.

"This isn't the Church! Who is shooting?"

"Return fire Iggy, Seekvaira, try to get us a visual!"

"I have it," the Agares heiress pulled up the hologram screen. "Is that…?"

A massive vessel almost the size of the Nagalfr could be seen approaching from above surrounded by a golden shield of energy. It looked to be made of wood, though they knew that couldn't be the case with a large-bowel more akin to a house than a boat. It was clearly not as hardy as the Nagalfr, with the first salvo from Iggy's attacks nearly shattering the barrier, however, no shots followed beyond them.

"Dorian! I can't fire the guns anymore; something severed my roots to that part of the ship!"

"Three-hundred cubits long, fifty wide and thirty high. These are the dimensions, so sayeth the lord."

"Dulio?"

"That ship out there…that is Noah's ark, the vessel made to the specifications of our lord father to safeguard humanity from his flood. But it was stationed in Heaven, what is it doing here?!"

"That signal," Hecuba brought up as the shield above started to strain under the bombardment they could no longer return. "There is a traitor onboard."

"Or many," Dorian gripped the railing in front of him with a growl of frustration. "We have an entire contingent from the Church. It has to be an inside job, Khaos Brigade traitors Ophis missed?"

"D…. ian….an…. he…me?"

"Irina?" Dorian recognized the voice barely audible over the spell he had linked with every one of the main Crossroad team. "I can barely hear, is that you, are you alright?"

"I'm…. ine. Exorcists…attacking others." The signal cleared up a bit. "Lord Vasco behind…exorcist rebellion! They have seized the weapons room."

"An Exorcist Rebellion?" Dorian looked up to Dulio whose shoulders slumped, yet not as far as expected, leading the Einherjar to consider he may have been aware of it on some level. "We'll send teams down to you with help."

"I don't think so," a light bullet shot towards Dorian deflected by a reflexive action of his gauntlet. From the entryway, no fewer than two dozen exorcists flooded the bridge aiming towards the various leaders and staff. "Our main forces will be here shortly, you will all…"

The exorcist was swept off his feet before he could finish as a root the width of a car slithered across the deck. Iggy stood tall, directing tendrils that coursed through the vessel towards the bridge. The would-be attackers turned to focus on them, but their light swords and bullets did little as her appendages batted them about or sealed within an inescapable embrace. Dorian did not need to lift a finger as, with so many of their force engaged, the leaders made quick work of the rest. Dulio waved a hand, freezing a dozen where they stood as Indra batted the last group and brushed them aside like they were nothing. As quickly as it had begun, the battle was over.

"Doubt they expected us all being on the bridge," Dulio fixed his cloak as he walked up to one who had been immobilized. "Either that, or they were monumentally stupid."

"It also means we have less-powerful fighters elsewhere," Hecuba pointed out. "Our allies are vulnerable and unaware of the treachery!"

"Call off your ship!" Dorian grabbed the lead exorcist by his collar threateningly. "If they destroy the Nagalfr, you're going down with us."

"For the greater good of Heaven," he spat through the bruised face. "Allying with devils was bad enough, but youkai, pagans and now considering even vampires? This is not what our Lord Father would have wanted. His Eminence Cristaldi and Lord Strada understand this, there are more of us than you think. We shall claim the powers of this hidden city and use it to steer Heaven on the path we are meant to follow."

"Cristaldi? Ewald Cristaldi is in on this?" Dulio's frustration was growing by the second. "That explains how they got Noah's ark. He's the third highest figure in the Church as a Cardinal Deacon, not to mention one of the strongest Excalibur wielders among our ranks."

"He trained Irina and I," Xenovia's lips trembled in restrained anger that he could be turned against them. "Permission to help Irina!"

"Granted," Dorian answered quickly. "I'll be there too…"

"A captain's place is on his bridge," Odin mused almost to himself but loud enough for Dorian to hear. "You can't be everywhere and if the ship needs more power, you're the best one to help Iggy. Don't you trust your friends?"

"…with my life," Dorian sighed as they rocked again with the bombardment continuing. "Hecuba, please go with her and keep devil allies safe. I don't want them facing light-based foes head on. Be careful as we may still have Church traitors who haven't revealed themselves. Dulio, can you go with her?"

"Don't need to tell me twice," he tipped a non-existent hat. "These guys give the rest of us a bad name."

"There are reports of attacks across the ship, though they seem to be keeping it to non-lethal," Seekvaira reported at length. "They must have been planning this for some time."

"If they hurt any of my followers, I will NOT be as kind," Indra instantly disappeared, teleporting away towards the Hindu-controlled quarters. Diehauser and Odin quickly followed suit, each bent on keeping their respective people safe leaving the bridge staffed by Crossroad personnel only.

"We have to hope Irina and Xenovia can retake the weapon chamber," Dorian sighed, recomposing himself as eyes of many fell on him. "Use whatever you can to keep the shield strong and performing evasive maneuvers."

"There are some large rock formations just to the north," Seekvaira informed Iggy. "That should give us some cover."

"On it!" The daughter of Yggdrasil half-heartedly saluted before shifting hard to the right to avoid the latest barrage exploding into the ocean floor harmlessly. "Hold on everyone, this will be a first for me!"

Within the Nagalfr…

Insanity filled the halls as waves of exorcists fought against the rest of the crew in various key sections of the vessel. To their dismay, over a third of the Church's team were squarely on the side of the rebels and had formed powerful defensive lines cutting off one group from reinforcing the other. They were drastically outnumbered by the rest, but also more organized and had the element of surprise. In that chaos, they had dominance and held every venue of easy access to the chamber responsible for powering the weapon systems.

"Report!" Hecuba shouted over the booms of magic being exchanged as she reached the nearest line from the bridge. Ducking behind cover, she found Lavinia using her magic to tend to a fallen devil.

"They're merging their magics," the blonde mage explained. "They aren't that strong individually, but together are like a brick wall. I can try my Sacred Gear, but can't guarantee the damage will be limited to just them."

Absolute Demise, one of the thirteen original Longinus. It's an Independent Avatar type like Iggy summoning a doll that can obliterate her enemies. The doll is three meters tall, that would damage the hall, and if the structural integrity is compromised…

"I have an idea, be ready to attack," she patted the woman on the shoulder before stepping up to the edge of the corner, enemies waiting on the other side. "Soldiers of the Church! STAND DOWN!"

"You are not our commander," the lead exorcist wearing a robe similar to Siegfried called out, motioning for his side to cease fire briefly. "We hold loyalty only to Lords Cristaldi and Strada. You have no author…"

"By THIS authority!" The Spartan leapt from cover, summoning the True Longinus into her hands. The spear opened, revealing the full light of Heaven that remained within it. The traitors did not move, but many went wide-eyed, prayers and signs of the cross being motioned across them like a wave upon catching sight of the first Longinus. "NOW!"

Lavinia spun gracefully around the corner, whipping her wand in a sharp downward fashion. As the tip reached the ground, a cascade of ice moving faster than a car exploded across the ground towards the barricade. With so many awed or distracted by the True Longinus, their combined barrier was weakened and shattered upon impact. With that moment of opportunity, Hecuba dropped into a stance with her new weapon trained on them. Behind her, a wall of Spartans following her example combined with Lavinia and the others who had been defending fell into a phalanx formation ready to charge.

"Everyone, push forward, clear the way and watch one another's backs!" The Spartan shouted in a commanding voice echoing through the halls like on a megaphone. "We do not stop until we reach the weapons chamber!"

Near the Weapon Chamber…

"Is there any way out for us?" The young exorcist nervously asked the wall of muscle standing before him as the ship rocked again from the bombardment of their allies. "Or is it our duty to die here?"

"There is a small hope," Vasco Strada answered honestly. "We only need to hold here until the vessel is crippled, then there is no reason we cannot find escape before the Ark truly sinks it. Many of us may die, but some can escape. I'd hoped that only older veterans would join us, those who have lived a full life. You are still…GET DOWN!"

His warning came too late as six women who seemingly looked identical appeared out of nowhere. The traitorous exorcist was struck in the gut while another two clocked him in the face, sending him flying into a wall. Two more swung down towards the former retiree, looks of shock as their double attack was stopped with the barest of efforts. Vasco raised a sword he'd kept hidden, easily stopping all three blades trained on him.

"That…is that another Durandal!?" Xenovia asked as she tried to press her attack with her own Durandal and Angurvadal. The real Irina had joined her, yet even the True Excalibur was stopped. The other women were none other than copies generated by the Excalibur Nightmare skills making quick work of the others in the room.

"A mere replica bestowed upon me by the pope," Vasco explained as he pushed back, sending both women flying though they somersaulted into new stances. "I am sure he would not have done so had he known my use for it, it pales in comparison to the original in terms of its base power."

Yet your own talent makes that difference barely noticeable. No wonder he came here himself, to think Irina and I have to face him at the same time…

"You are both among the faithful, I do not wish to harm you,"

"Then stand down, please!" Irina called out without easing up on her guard. "So many will die if the weapons are not restored!"

"I can't do that," he angled the replica Durandal towards them. "This rebellion is fighting for what is best in Heaven, even if that goes against what Michael and Gabriel believe. The powers within that city will be claimed by Noah's Ark, powers that will let us gain influence in Heaven itself. If I have to die here…!"

He was not prepared for Xenovia to interrupt his proclamation, though still effortlessly deflected her swing of blades. Irina followed her example, the two coming at him from different sides he could not hope to cover with a single weapon. To their dismay, Vasco focused his defense on the True Excalibur, bringing a fist up towards Xenovia.

"XENOVIA!" Irina called out as a single powerful fist ducked beneath her weapons and cracked her in the face. Holy energy coursed through them stronger than most lesser Holy swords. Vasco's power even at his age was truly monstrous. The blue-haired Einherjar was driven into the wall, her legs shaking as she tried to stand before finally collapsing.

"Those swords of hers," he muttered while shaking off the smoke from his fist. "They felt angry, to think Durandal would meet another it synergized with. She could be dangerous if she got to use them together. Don't worry, I didn't kill her, though that may be a small mercy with the fate of this ship. If I die here, I do not want my last act to kill those so pure."

He slashed his replica Durandal, the attack being blocked, but the sheer power behind it sent Irina sailing back, coughing painfully upon impact. She crumpled to a knee, barely managing to stand up again as the Church's monster approached. She knew his reputation, having managed to best even Kokabiel during the war in single combat. It didn't matter, she knew they had to get the weapons back up or everyone on the ship would die. Biting through the pain, she got to her feet again.

"If only you would join us," Vasco lamented. "You would have been magnificent, perhaps the first of our new Seraphs. This violence against you and your family shouldn't have been necessary, but Ewald had vision, he saw…"

"He saw your need to beat young women? Because that's all you're accomplishing right now."

"Lord Dulio!"

"So, you will fight me too?" Vasco unleashed a cascade of holy energy from his replica weapon to deflect the incoming attack. "I tried to ensure I was the only leader of the Church on this expedition."

"Perhaps someone suspected your naughty actions, that's why they brought me." He shrugged nonchalantly but looked truly disappointed. "I knew we had a rebellion brewing, but no idea it was so far along or that you were stupid enough to be one of them. Fortunately, I don't need to fight you for real."

Pointing a finger like a gun towards Vasco, a series of bubbles started forming in front of them that took the shape of rings. Grinning smugly, he winked at his opponent who he was well aware was not known for his speed.

"Speranza Bolla di Sapone, a little technique I developed for Zenith Tempest. I hope you enjoy it."

The ring-shaped bubbles blasted towards Vasco who managed to deflect the first couple, but several found their mark. To his surprise, they did not cause any injury, however, with each impact, the giant staggered. In his mind, the sudden image of children laughing and playing filled his thoughts. Somehow, he knew they were orphans being cared for by the Church, those who had lost their parents through one way or another. They were so happy despite their circumstances, looking to him like he was the great hero they'd claimed he was during the war.

"You…you can make me see things?" He waved his sword back and forth after several moments of images, maintaining his composure.

"That's what this can do, normally I use it to break the will of my opponent. Take a look at the kids back home who would suffer most from your civil war reaching there. I've worked too hard finding good food for them from around the world for you to rip away their happiness now."

"That…that isn't enough to break my resolve. There is too much at stake…"

"Oh, I figured that was the case. I didn't want to hurt you just yet; you seemed really torn on fighting them so this was your last chance. I just needed to distract you; I had a few spicy images of Gabriel for an emergency but figured that wouldn't work on you. Maybe if I ever had to fight that Issei or Azazel, but it's too late anyway."

"Too la…?!" Vasco then noticed the enormous root-like tendril snaked through the main entrance to the back of the room. There, a recovered Xenovia and Irina had plugged it into the machinery at the back. The systems powering the weapons thrummed with life, signaling a return to normal status and their ability to fire back. "NO!" He unleashed a blast from his replica Durandal in an attempt to sever the tendril. To his dismay, Xenovia and Irina leapt in front. At great effort, the pair managed to block the attack together, standing ready to defend the extension of Iggy to the bitter end. With Dulio now there, Vasco found himself surrounded.

"Well, that's that then," Heaven's Joker smirked. "You'd best surrender, I imagine Dorian is going to be blasting the tar out of your allies any minute now. Noah's Ark is an amazing vessel of our father's design…but I think the Nagalfr has a bit more bite to it."

On the Bridge…

"Weapons are back online!" Iggy called out with joy as she sensed her reconnection to the chamber below. "We can return fire at your command!"

"Do it!" Dorian called out as he used a spell to extinguish a fire that had engulfed the front portion of the bridge from a salvo that scored a lucky hit. Similar damage was spreading, their shields barely holding between the depth of ocean and the unforgiving punishment. "Target wherever they've been firing these attacks from first, then rotate to their engines!"

Every cannon on the port side roared to life, the enemy vessel having closed distance hoping to finish them off. That decision would be their doom as from such range, every shot found its mark. The bubble surrounding the ark collapsed after the first two waves unable to withstand the foreign technology that made the Nagalfr such a threat. The accompanying blasts rained down on the hull, the shimmer of lights showing magic-users within desperately trying to use their own spells to shore them up and stop the incoming rush of water.

"They are breaking off, heading down towards the city wall below. They will reach the barrier within fifteen seconds!"

"Their weapons are out, they can't pierce that veil any more than we can," Dorian muttered to himself before turning back to Iggy. "Pursuit course, if we can take out their…"

"BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THIS BLASPHEMOUS CITY SHALL OPEN ITS GATES!" A voice suddenly boomed into the ears of everyone aboard louder than the roaring cannons. "NOT EVEN THESE ANCIENT POWERS CAN RESIST THE MIGHT OF OUR LORD FATHER, DESPITE HIS ABSENCE!"

"What…is that?"

Seekvaira pushed up her glasses, wiping away the sweat as if that may change what they were seeing. From the battered, damaged Ark, a wave of black and orange energy wrapped in prismatic colors reverberated like a shockwave. As the attack struck the barrier, the wall surrounding the ancient structures suddenly collapsed, receding into the ground like a shutter opening. The city was now open to them.

That magic doesn't look like holy-type. How did he do that?

"SEE THIS MIRACLE THAT I, EWALD CRISTALDI, HAVE WORKED BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES! THE PAGAN VESSEL IS NO MATTER FOR WE SHALL DESCEND BELOW AND CLAIM WHAT IS OURS. TO OUR LOYAL FOLLOWERS STILL ABOARD, KNOW THAT YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE IN VAIN. FORWARD TO THAT WHICH SHALL BE OURS AND OPEN THE GATES OF HEAVEN TO OUR INFLUENCE!"

"They are descending into the city!" Seekvaira warned. "Any further and they'll reach the border!"

"They can't escape, we can catch up to them and…" Dorian was lurched forward, barely being grabbed by the Agares heiress to stop him from flying into a bulkhead. Others of the crew were not as lucky as everything turned upside down and spun. "What is happening?!"

"We have lost all power!" Iggy cried as she tried in vain to regain control. "As soon as we crossed the threshold where the wall had been, everything went down. And it's not just us." She pointed forward, seeing Noah's Ark itself was in similar straits, the impressive vessel disappearing into the distance crashing into a part of the city they couldn't make out. "I…I can't do anything, I have no control!"

"Get back in my head!"

"But…!"

"There's nothing you can do and you're safer in there!" He reiterated, Iggy acquiescing at the look of concern on his face as she disappeared. Still holding onto Seekvaira, keeping her from being thrown clear, the Einherjar was barely able to reach the vessel's intercom. "All hands both friend and foe, prepare for crash landing, I REPEAT, prepare for a crash landing. Everyone, hang on!"

After facing a great betrayal and battle beneath the ocean's depths, the Nagalfr finds itself powerless about to collide with the destination sought by many. As they draw nearer to the darkness of that eldritch city, simultaneously things are brewing above in the town they left behind. How will each deal with the tribulations coming their way? Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D