Royalrain20xx: Right? Imagine finding out people you thought you knew had such secrets. Good thing finding out a girl has a crush on you can calm the mind of any man XD. I hope you like them as well, everyone is trying to break their own limits so they can stand up against the boss-tier enemies threatening them. Huh, Old Goddess football...I am sure Rat would be the first to want to play LOL. Thank you very much! I hope you like what I have lined up next.
swid16kawail: So it seems, the Old Gods departed and the mortal denizens that stayed behind...changed. Hmmm, a Shadow Shoggoth, that has a nice ring to it. It can't pull off shapeshifting disguises like a Shoggoth, but I like the comparison, big fan of that Lovecraft creation. Dorian nears the Heart of the City, so you'll see what is waiting for him there ;)
avenger3576: Euclid does seem the type to be very good at getting out of sticky situations and with his obsession with Rossweisse, you can bet we'll be seeing him again. Towards your question of the Heart of the City...I will only say "yes". XD
DragonGodZalama: Thank you very much! First time for everything XD. That moment of Ewald confronting them is coming close, hope you like it! :D
OBSERVER01: So many questions. Tune in next time on Roots of Hope Z...I...I mean Roots of Hope! XD
Ragna126: I know what you mean, when you get deeper down past how he is on the outside, he's a pretty interesting character. She'll be coming back, no worry there. Romania awaits after the Underwater City issues are temporarily situated.
cobin michael: One ancient eldritch being vs. another other? That would be quite the sight if their clash didn't wreck the world.
fanficcyberman: What an interesting way of putting it haha. Exactly, he relied on the cliche shounen trope that the love interest is an easy target without the MC. He may not be wholly defeated yet, but he certainly realized he can't just swoop in and grab Rossweisse as he intended. Hmmmm, Saji has a canon appearance for a Balance Breaker, but adjusting it to be unique to Roots is not a bad idea. Maybe not as bulky as Guts, but close on the details ;) And you are right on the city, not a safe place to be even with the denizens and shadow beastie giving you a wide berth. Thank you so much man! Your reviews and kind words never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been doing well as ever and hope the same of you and your loved ones. Happy Easter!
7: Thank you! Indeed, Saji is often described as being as dedicated as Issei so it felt good to show him able to cut loose and protect those he cares about. Oh, Euclid is pretty strong, though he was expecting a much weaker Rossweisse that he could get in, grab and get out. Her tapping into a new source of power and having Thrud threw off his plans. As for the Evil Dragons...never said there was just one ;) haha. Oh, I never mentioned Outer vs Old Gods for Roots of Hope, I know they have that distinction in Lovecraftian Lore, but that isn't the case here. As far as anyone is aware of, the Old Gods that resided on Earth is the same who left for parts unknown and had been in the city. You too!? Mountains of Madness is also easily my favorite story of his, it probably was a big inspiration to my love of archaeology and what could be out there we haven't seen yet (For good or ill). Your input on the Trihexa is an interesting one to be sure. In canon, they never gave it a set backstory other than "It was always there before." So I fully intend to delve into where it came from in my Roots continuity. It truly means more than I can say you like my story so much and I hope to never disappoint as I continue. Wishing you all the best! :)
Wombato: That is wonderful to hear that you've been enjoying it! Reading it all in a week is super impressive. I know exactly what you mean, that shared sentiment is part of what inspired Roots of Hope. I loved the majority of DxD from the characters to the powers and designs, etc. I was just not a fan that the further it went on, the more girls were added with little reason and Issei never seemed to mature in terms of his outlook. Hearing you like it better than canon and the OCs like Thrud means more than I can say. Also...full agreement, Kuroka best cat girl XD. I hope you like my future ideas and that I never disappoint. Have a great day man, wishing you well in all that you do!
Supremum Rex Stulti: It's great to see you review again! :D I sent a full reply PM. You are right that imo that there should be more than 1 person who is strong enough to make a difference against the larger enemies of the world. In canon, I did feel as Shin went on that Issei was becoming more God-tier broken above everyone else which played into the future themes of him being defeated being a death sentence for the world. With Roots, others are able to break their limits alongside him to make it that more can help when the boss-tier foes appear and the chips are down. I hope you like my future plans :).
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
Fireballs the size of cars erupted from Grendel's throat towards Issei, but the Red Dragon Emperor was ready for them. One by one, he dispersed the attacks with Dragon Shots that traveled through to impact his opponent. Despite clearly causing damage, the Evil Dragon was unflinching in his assaults, almost seeming to enjoy the pain after so long being gone from the world.
"Lord Issei!" Ravel shouted in concern as he was bodied by Grendel, blood spurting from his mouth. Horrifically, Grendel bit into Issei's shoulder ripping out armor and flesh.
Asia, where are you? Ravel glanced left and right atop the roof where she had retreated to. The young former nun was last seen helping Akeno direct students to the shelters but had been unaccounted for since. We need your healing, I…I can't provide tears from this far. If needed, I won't hesitate to brave that armor for Issei.
"St-stay back, you're the one they want," he groaned through the pain, bringing a double-fist blow upon Grendel's head driving him into the dirt. "He'd kill you."
"Kill her?" Grendel looked up, finally noticing the Phenex daughter standing atop the roof. "In that case…" With a growl, a new fireball erupted past Issei's head soaring directly towards her faster than she could blink.
"RAVEL!" Issei extended Ascalon, burying it into Grendel's throat. Despite the damage, the dragon refused to let go, preventing him from reaching her. "GET OUT OF THE…!" Before the fireball could impact, a shape stepped between while pushing the blonde devil to safety. The attack slammed into her protector, skin and body bubbling like boiling water before exploding outward covering Ravel in a clear liquid. She looked shellshocked at the sight. "Suraiya!?" Issei gasped as he processed who had taken the hit. "No, no not y…!"
"Master! I saved your mate!" Another copy of the slime girl popped up behind Ravel smiling cheerfully bouncing up and down. "I just made a copy to shield her, she's okay!" Turning around, her arms extended far longer than was natural to punch a pair of advancing magicians trying to sneak up on her and knocking them off the roof.
"Suraiya…thank you," the Red Dragon Emperor breathed a sigh of relief with a great weight off his chest. "BOOSTED SOLID IMPACT!" He roared, the blow of his attack so strong from near-grief and emotion that even Grendel was blown across the school. "What the Hell was that!? This was a one-on-on fight, why did you attack Ravel?"
"Sorry," he apologized mockingly. "She was such an easy target; I could not help myself, you could call it being in my nature. If she had lived, she would have been easily captured and if she died…well, it wouldn't have mattered."
"Wouldn't have mat…!" Issei's face was warped in rage at those words, his armor glowing brighter and denser by the second. "I don't care how you came back; I'm going to kill you again! If anti-dragon doesn't work, I'll just have to hit you as hard as I can with everything else!"
Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!
Issei charged his gear over and over now free of most limits while in his Crimson Cardinal Form. Grendel just stood back with a smile waiting for the assault hoping to see a taste of the power he'd faced in Ddraig's prime. After several seconds, the air around the Red Dragon Emperor began to warp from the energy.
Partner, his scales are too strong, at my peak I could barely put a dent in them. Even this power won't do the damage we need.
Really? Damnit, what I would give for a shot at Vali's powers to just divide him until he was weak enough to hurt.
I grow my power, not weaken the enemy! Ddraig sounded insulted at the prospect. We just have to keep it up, power through and…
Wait wait wait, that's it! Vali uses his power on the enemies and weakens them. What if we turned our boost on them?
Make our foes stronger? Have you gone insane?
Not stronger, BIGGER! Didn't Vali make that new move where he shrunk an enemy out of existence? Ours could be the reverse, like when dad puts on too many pounds at the holidays and pops right out of his jeans or when Rias' top is too small but those damned buttons hold on…
I…see, Ddraig saw the intent of his partner in his mind. Issei could almost sense the smile on his face despite not having a body. You are a clever one when you want to be. Give it a try, you will have all my power behind you!
"What are you thinking, Ddraig?" Grendel snarled, getting bored from waiting for the power to gather.
"You're facing ME, Issei Hyoudou!" He called out, annoyed at his opponent constantly ignoring him. "I am the Red Dragon Emperor, the Oppai Dragon, and if your scales are so unbreakable, then I'll just have to pop them off like those annoying buttons. If Vali can divide, then I can…EXPAND!"
Grendel stepped forward but halted, itching his left shoulder as if it annoyed him. Relief did not come, the discomfort continuing to plague him, causing him to itch and scratch at it all the more.
"Um, is it just me," Ravel muttered to the slime-girl acting as her bodyguard. "Or is his arm getting bigger?"
Sure enough, the shoulder and bicep of his left arm had grown considerably and was not stopping. Finally, the Evil Dragon noticed, roaring at the anomaly, even biting it in the hopes of relieving whatever pressure was causing the unnatural inflammation. Nothing worked and after several seconds, light, almost pale flesh could be seen pressing out from beneath the black scales. Issei could not help but grin confidently.
"If you outgrow your pants, they can't very well stay on, right? DDRAIG! LET'S DO THIS!"
I've never even seen his skin before, that can't be very sturdy after millennia hiding beneath his scales. The ability to expand objects your power touches, do you understand the possibilities?
"I do…I can make my wives' breasts as big as they want!" He blurted out, everyone around him quite confused having been unable to hear Ddraig's side of the conversation. The Heavenly Dragon let out a great sigh of frustration.
I wonder if Iggy can fit me in for an appointment after she gets back…
Geez, don't say it like that Ddraig. Anyway, I need to put EVERYTHING into this strike. No idea how long this will last, time to go nuts!
Cannon barrels emerged from his shoulders taking aim at Grendel in the distance. Planting his tail into the ground, he rooted himself while shunting all the power he had just boosted to their points, even making a slight adjustment he hoped would not be noticed until it was too late.
WELSH BLASTER, CRIMSON LONGINUS SMASHER!
Great pillars of crimson demonic and dragon energy exploded from his body barreling towards the Evil Dragon. Even if Grendel would have attempted to dodge, it did not matter as the blast impacted immediately with no chance to avoid. The pulsating waves slammed into him again and again. While his unbreakable scales held, the soft flesh beneath started to turn red, superheating into his very core. As it almost seemed that he would withstand it, the follow-up attack Issei had considered was revealed.
"GRAAAAAH!" Grendel roared in pain as a pair of javelins tipped with replicas of Ascalon bore into his soft exposed flesh. Fired from within the beams used to cover the attack, Issei had utilized one more aspect of his anti-dragon holy sword gifted by Michael.
"He did it!" Ravel and Suraiya clasped hands as they cheered. "That much at once surely…"
"Hehehehehe."
"Oh, come ON!" Issei groaned in frustration as Grendel stood once more dripping with blood. "Can't you just stay down!"
"You fair little better, Red Dragon Issei," Grendel growled his name for the first time. "I will outlast you, that is a fact even with your trickery."
"No, you won't," the voice of Asia Argento echoed from beside Ravel across the rooftops. "You tried to kill Ravel, so this fight isn't one on one anymore, right?"
Issei gasped as a sharp pain that quickly turned to one of relief washed over him. Utilizing a bow of energy, Asia had fired a volley of twilight arrows towards the man she loved. One had struck him in the back, immediately working to heal the many wounds he had suffered through the fight while the others landed nearby.
"Asia! Thank you! Make sure everyone else hurt is doing okay!"
"Two can play at that game," Grendel seized one of the glowing green arrows that had landed closer to him. "I can simply…GAH!" He jumped back as the projectile exploded in his hand singing his exposed flesh.
"I've been practicing," she stared down the Evil Dragon with confidence as the gust of wind caught her hair. "Twilight Healing will only help those I tell it to; they will never heal you."
"You made a big mistake involving others," a fully revitalized Issei pointed out as he stepped between them to ensure no further attacks could be targeted at the others. "How about you stand down before we kick your ass even harder into the dirt?"
"Not while you stand," the Evil Dragon spat with a pained smile but still had chunks of Issei's armor and skin trapped in his teeth. "A good fight is more important than one life, and this is my second. Unlike past battles, I am no longer alone as the others…"
"No," a voice alerted from across the field. "This is beyond what we intended. Stand down, we're leaving."
Across the field, a few minutes earlier…
"Good hit!" Rossweisse cheered for her friend, the two giving a high five as the combined attacks collided with Euclid.
"Not quite," the pair fell back into a defensive posture as the white-haired devil stood to his full height. He was bruised, yet was brushing them off looking more annoyed than wounded. "It seems the damsel has teeth even without the prince."
The Valkyries looked on confused as his silver hair briefly flickered to a brown and back again. Confusion as to how he could take such a hit grew until the silver Valkyrie spotted a spiraled armband visible beneath his now-shredded sleeves.
"Is that a Soul Band, the same device that linked Asia to Rassei? You're drawing power from another source who it's tied to, aren't you!?"
"I'll let you guess on that for the time being, I must say, the energy of that attack was extraordinary. It was your own enticing aura, but also quite a lot of Tyr's. Is that from the Tafl Piece he gifted you, or did you partake in other activities that would leave traces of him all over you? My my, what have you both been getting up to at night?" He deflected a beam directed at him by the flustered woman in respond to his crude question. "I got a good taste of that power; I think I'll keep it for some experiments…it's exactly what I needed to finish up a project of mine."
"A good fight is more important than one life, and this is my second." Grendel bellowed not far in his own battle. "Unlike past battles, I am no longer alone as the others…"
"No," Euclid called out to the Evil Dragon. "This is beyond what we intended. Stand down, we're leaving."
"Abandon a fight!?" The dark dragon growled almost looking as if he would challenge Euclid.
"Think of it as a tactical retreat. You have a sample of the Red Dragon Emperor's flesh while I have the aura and magics of the Crossroad's Einherjar and this fetching Valkyrie. Next time we fight, we'll be even stronger than we are now. Walburga failed to grab the Phenex girl, we'll have to make due with our current supply of fake tears."
"You're not getting away!" Thrud rushed forward only to be struck from behind unexpectedly by Grendel who had broken off from Issei to join Euclid by his side.
"Get back here!" Issei gave chase, running into a barrier erected by Euclid to prevent pursuit. "You coward!"
"Do think on my offer, beguiling Valkyrie," Euclid blew her a kiss before showing he had pulled a few strands of her hair in his hand, an act that made Rossweisse want to be sick. "You are as curious as I am, that mind of yours would be wasted and bored otherwise. Have you not wondered on the history of the Trihexa, where it came from? Better yet, are there any others like it? Would you be more inclined if your prince were no longer in the picture? We can dally together on such topics another day."
Waving his hands, a familiar azure portal shimmered to life behind him which the pair stepped through. As they vanished, the barrier fell and the aperture closed. The defenders of Kuoh Academy stood confused having been victorious, yet failed to stop the retreat of all save a handful of Hexennacht magicians. They remained on guard despite the ominous calm, each concerned at what this attack meant for the future. It was Rossweisse who spoke first, a look of sheer terror on her face as she recognized the swirling magics Euclid Lucifuge had used to escape.
"It…it can't be. That portal he used just now, how is he able to access the Road Between Realms!?"
Within the Underwater City…
"What was that?" Dorian glanced about having sworn he heard something scuttling about in the shadows.
He did not like the lack of visibility, trusting entirely to Kassaegtha's lead. The clicking sounds around them becoming too numerous to count, if it was how it seemed, there were thousands of the denizens of the city around them and yet still they could see naught but their yellow eyes. Yellow eyes in the dark. Iggy's whistling that almost sounded like an ominous tune did not help.
Iggy, if you could…
Sorry, she apologized as the whistling stopped. It helps relax when I'm nervous.
"A stronger light would…"
"I wouldn't recommend it," Kassaegtha tutted Diehauser before he could finish. "They haven't seen your kind of light in their entire existence and keep to the shadows for a reason. Ignore any buzzing in your ears coming from afar, it won't lead you to good places."
"Volody said that Old God magic tends to lead to insanity," Dorian remarked. "Should we be worried?"
"Lesser minds, surely. Simply being in this place could have that effect, unbalancing even some sturdier minds. Your friends are capable of holding their own it seems."
"You are too calm," Indra side-eyed Dorian. "Only Gods should be here with such foes."
"Your minds are closer to mortals than you want to admit," Kassaegtha replied despite his hostile glares.
"And Dorian may be the best option to be here according to Ajuka," Diehauser supported them. "It was partially why we decided to send the Nagalfr on this expedition. After all, he has had one of their kind following him his entire life. Her very presence may have acted as a form of inoculation from the negative effects of their magic. I must admit, I would love to study it."
That's an interesting way to look at it.
"Not even Atlantis was so far under the ocean," Vali looked up at the infinite waters above their heads held back by the clear substance the roof seemed to be made of. "We could spend years here exploring."
"This heart, is it why you've been acting different?" Dorian asked, the Old Goddess before him barely showing any expression. "Making you sick."
"In a way." It surprised him she did not try to refute the statement of being ill. "This city was the last time your people openly knew of my own so long ago."
"Old Gods and mortals coexisting? What would that have been like?" Hecuba mused, glancing to Vali who was just as intrigued.
"It clearly didn't last," Indra pointed out. "If becoming these…things was the price of coexistence, I think we were better off with their departure." He glanced at the denizens hiding beyond their sight, the stinging of their attacks on him and his men when first stepping out of the Nagalfr still too close to his thoughts.
"They were so different from one another, too different."
"Was there truly no compromise?" Dorian muttered almost under his breath; mind deep in thought at the connotations.
"Fearful for your Crossroads?" The Old Goddess asked, the barest hint of a smirk crossing her lips. "That it will suffer the same fate as this city, once so grand?" Dorian's furrowed brow and glare was all the answer she needed. His thoughts were clear as day, the concern at how if something that had been as old as this city failed, what hope did his group have in the long run? "It is through here, only Dorian may enter," Kassaegtha shot a glare at the others following.
"Why him?" Indra's demanded with frustration at his foresight not giving the answers he sought boiling over. "He is a boy and other than this defense against time magic, is no more unique than…" Indra halted as Diehauser placed a hand on his shoulder, motioning to the darkness where they could tell the eyes and clicking had intensified. The denizens of the city had gotten closer the moment he raised his voice to Kassaegtha, several of the eyes had started to turn an ominous shade of red.
"If anyone else enters, I will revoke my protection," she coldly threatened. "This sensation will be unappealing enough with just one of you beyond this point. Have your fun looking over what came before."
"I would welcome that fight," Vali started, only for Dorian to raise a hand asking him to stand down.
"I'll be fine…I think. If there is anything in there that makes one stronger, you'll be the first to know."
"See that I am," the White Dragon Emperor nodded, hesitantly acquiescing to the request. "I still want to test myself in a fight with you someday."
"Awwww, two bros bonding as only guys from Asgard can. Hey, I bet if you took your shirts off and wrestled, you'd draw a crowd and we could sell tickets…" Ratatoskr retreated to the top of Hecuba's head when Vali turned to him certain he wouldn't levy any blows against her.
"We'll hold the line," Hecuba insisted. "Stay safe."
"Where to?" The Einherjar asked Kassaegtha as she led him into the darkness disappearing from the vision of the others.
"Take my hand," she ordered just before the group couldn't see them anymore. "Not even your shiny armor would help you where we're going." Only once he was gone from sight, did they turn their attention to their surroundings. The sheer alien nature of the room kept them on edge yet brought out the desire for exploration buried deep within.
"This mural," Vali ground the group to a halt as an imposing wall was illuminated by their lights. "What is this?"
"It almost looks like serpents…or dragons?" Arthur tried to make out the design, a swirling mass that could barely be discerned as multiple shapes intertwined. It looked incomplete with parts worn away by time and the elements. "Two of them?"
"Three." Hecuba muttered as she approached the wall, rubbing her hands over the destroyed portion to try and tell what had once been there. "Those shapes," the Spartan pointed to interweaving swirls that surrounded the three. "Are those…tree branches?"
"As sure as my dick is huge," Ratatoskr hopped atop his head for a better look. "This almost looks familiar; now why would you have something depicting Yggdrasil all the way down here?"
"Yggdrasil?" Bikou analyzed it closer. "And dragons known even to these things? That's insane, wouldn't that mean…"
"The red one is Great Red, no doubt," Indra pushed forward to cut to the point. "Which would mean the black one is Ophis."
"How do you know this?" Diehauser stepped forward, staring down the Hindu God.
"My people have discovered similar murals over the years. Not exactly like this, but similar, in the ruins of ancient civilizations spanning the world. Surely, even devils found one or two?" The Rating Game Champion would not answer as their eyes locked. "I am guessing that Heaven also has some, they did mention Great Red himself in their Book of Revelations."
The same portion Rossweisse and Irina think references the Trihexa as well…that cannot be a coincidence. She eyed the destroyed portion that may have shown a third being alongside the other two.
"We can distrust later," Hecuba spoke up, looking over the vast chamber they found themselves in. "There is plenty for us to examine while we wait. Vali, you said you had explored Atlantis before?"
"I did," he reported, his voice sounding full of confidence as he recalled that excursion before he'd ever joined the Khaos Brigade. "There were creatures that had taken up residence, though nothing sentient. The architecture is strangely reminiscent to what we see here. It makes me wonder if they were a close successor to this place. Perhaps from survivors or records that made it to the surface…"
Yer pal always so talkative? Ratatoskr asked, convening with Albion within Vali's mind as he continued explaining what he knew to Hecuba and the gods present.
I have seldom seen him so excitable, perhaps it is due to the company of which he is trying to seem so knowledgeable.
Hehe, turning on the charm for the cute redhead, eh? I'll add that to the little black book of ways to mess with em when he gets too full of himself.
I could tell him many things of you, surely. Albion challenged the squirrel. Is there a reason I should not if you try provoking my partner?
Ya know, I talk with Yggdrasil QUITE often. If ye agree to turn down your schoolboy crush charm, I maaayyy be persuaded to mention your help on this expedition to her.
…you are a conniving one, your reputation among myth is well earned, the White Dragon complimented. Let us discuss this arrangement in more detail…
Elsewhere…
"I can't see anything," Dorian called out again as he passed through the dark archway led by Kassaegtha's hand.
"Light has never touched this place," she explained in her usual emotionless tone. "You will need to use those other senses to see."
"I thought you wanted to watch from the sidelines, why are you showing me this heart?" He asked if only to take his mind off the almost claustrophobic darkness closing in around him.
"I…reevaluated my outlook given the circumstances," her tone shook ever so slightly that few would have noticed. Only the Einherjar's now-intimate knowledge of her helped to catch the shift. "The sheer number of times I have ended up influencing your actions has been…frustrating."
"Like the game of chess?" He referred to the first time she had caught him playing with Sona in her Kassumi form, her eyes glancing to the best move without saying a word but he'd caught it. "Any interaction, even when not revealing yourself has SOME effect."
"Even then, interacting is unnecessary. However, in this place, I would prefer you to know more."
"Thanks Kassie," Dorian let a bit of tease sneak out being so rarely he saw her uncertain about her actions. He couldn't see her in the void, but felt her grip squeeze tighter to painful levels. "Thrud would appreciate that handshake you have."
Dorian stumbled, feeling as if they had passed into a new chamber but still could see nothing. Kassaegtha released his hand, the Einherjar fumbling for her in vain trying to recover what little semblance of bearing as to where he was that he could.
"Where are you?" He tried activating his armor, but as promised it did nothing to illuminate his surroundings. "I can't hear you, I…!"
Dorian fell forward and promptly vomited. He had felt something hit him like a wave, not a physical thing but a presence akin to a powerful aura but much more than that. It felt like worms in his head, the clicking of the natives a thousand times louder in his mind as the world around him remained silent, even his body shivered at the sensation despite not being cold. He couldn't even discern if the presence was a thousand miles away or so close to him that it could feel his breath. However long he sat there contemplating the depths of what was in the room with him, he couldn't tell but at last staggered back to his feet. A touch of shame washed over him wondering what kind of Einherjar would react that way.
"What…what is this?" Dorian asked, failing to recompose himself, head tilting upwards as he could easily sense just how grand and massive the entity was residing within the room he stood. He was not alone in the dark.
"I believe as you mortals would say…" the Old Goddess' voice boomed all around him mixing into an almost slimy, incomprehensible tone. "…that it is rude to look at a lady when she hasn't put her face on…"
Noah's Ark crash site…
"They certainly seem to be having even more difficulty with the natives than we did," Seekvaira motioned for the others to get down as they drew closer to where Vali's reconnaissance had deemed was close to the Ark crash site. "Look."
Sure enough, the chamber ahead was bathed in light, the exorcists adapting the radiance of Heaven to hold back the darkness of the city. There were guards, but they looked wounded, exhausted and on edge. Guilt pulled at Irina's heart, despite being traitors bent on going against what they were working towards, they were still members of the Church.
"Lord Ewald showed us how to use the Excalibur," Xenovia put a reassuring hand on her partner's shoulder. "But he attacked us, a lot of people were hurt because of this rebellion."
"I-I know!" She stammered out with an embarrassed expression. "But still, to know that he is behind this betrayal…"
"It's crawling with exorcists," Tobio leaned back analyzing it from every angle. "We could take out a lot of them, but if reinforcements arrive, we'd be quickly surrounded. Plus, with Vasco and Ewald there, we don't know what other powerful fighters they've brought with them."
"I don't think he agrees with this, not fully at least," Irina perked up at Vasco's name. "He didn't have to tell me about this prisoner, he looked remorseful."
"Let's hope, maybe he'll let us go if we run into him though I imagine he has his hands full with the natives. Thank goodness they seem to know who we're with." Seekvaira swallowed nervously as they could see yellow eyes on the edge of their vision watching them. Those who lived in the city could still see them, but kept a distance knowing their connection to Kassaegtha who let them pass. Who were they to go against her desires?
I wish Lord Dulio could have come, but they'd have spotted him easily and his protection is better needed for our expedition. His trust in her, along with Dorian's, filled Irina with determination to succeed.
"They are sure to have means of detecting us even with invisibility spells," Lavinia added her two cents.
"What we need," Irina finally spoke up, finding her voice despite the conflict of facing those she knew and had trained with. "Is a distraction. Xenovia, everyone, tell me what you think of this…"
Elsewhere in the City…
"I had no idea you were this interested in archaeology," Hecuba tried to make small talk with Vali as they carefully analyzed everything that they could find in the chamber that had housed the mural. "It is so…unexpected."
"The grandest legends were from ages past," the White Dragon Emperor explained. "If there are ways of growing stronger that no others have found, it would be there. This place is sure proof of that."
"And to know where we came from," the Spartan tried to show her own view of the subject. "My people were among the oldest and we learn something new of the forgotten past every day. Here though, it is beyond the oldest of our achievements."
"Older than Sumer," Vali continued. "And they are often attributed as the first human civilization. "How much of this were they aware of, I wonder?"
"The Grand Library of Olympus may know," Hecuba brushed a bit of hair from her eyes, a gesture noticed by Vali. "I would be more than happy to show you."
"That would be acceptable," he agreed after a few moments of silence. "But if you are trying to bring over to the ideology of the Crossroads, you're wasting your breath." He clarified upon seeing the Spartan's look of confusion. "I do not believe that commonality can be achieved so easily."
"We have made great strides in only a few months."
"And those strides will be undone when those higher ups get tired of it," he motioned back towards Diehauser and Indra, the pair still arguing over how best to proceed into the inner chambers past where they had explored. "You must know he is only here to gain power."
"And to observe Dorian, we know his time-immunity has been a thorn in his foresight ability ever since he became aware of him."
"Exactly, don't you see? He is cooperating out of worry for a perceived threat. A mutual enemy, that is the only way powerful groups will work together in the long term."
"That…does have an unfortunate precedence," Hecuba sighed. She knew Dorian would argue against it, but she knew it better than most. "The Greek Gods banded together to defeat the Titans and squabbled amongst each other for centuries until their declining influence in the world was impossible to ignore. "The Three Faction's own peace was only achieved after the direst of times."
"And even during the war, it was only Albion and Ddraig warring that caused them to briefly call a cease fire. You do understand, don't you?" He looked relieved that he did not need to argue his point. "As long as this place is of interest to Indra, he'll…!"
The pair jumped back realizing that the darkness had closed in around them, blocking Bikou, Arthur, Diehauser and Indra from view. The many eyes of the natives to the city stared at them, the clicking sound intensifying.
"We were told you would leave us be," Vali summoned his wings in a threatening fashion. "If you take another step…"
"Tssss, klk, crik, sheee, cusss, fhamilyar."
"What?" Hecuba stepped forward towards the sounds that almost sounded like words. "Are you trying to talk to us?"
"Yhour…speech, primitive, fshmmm clk. It ish…not easy, yngsh."
It sounds painful for them to try and imitate us, why are they doing this?
"Yhou fheel clhks, jusssst like the wun hooo caamme befour, xlchs."
"The one who came before? Who do you mean?" Vali asked while trying to understand them, stepping forward yet refusing to deactivate his wings. "What was his name?"
"Nhame? Phhssshhh, that isk an ahlien…concept? Pftghs."
"What he referred to himself as," Hecuba tried to clarify while still being amazed at how such simple ideas could be completely foreign to the point they couldn't be understood. "I am Hecuba, this is Vali."
"Hssssshhhh, alone words, howww fshheehh, odd."
"Do you speak with one mind?" Hecuba tried to elaborate. "One voice?"
"Only ever jhskfsh, one, alone. Other shounds hksshh are a poison of the whole. If such are hsskkk found, we eliminate."
Well, they are like us in that regard, destroying what is different. Vali stared at them unblinking.
"We are always many voices," the woman he had grown to respect continued. "What is poison to you is necessary to us. Were there others with this person? Someone who could have referred to them?"
"Yeesssh, his progeny who walked with him," Hecuba noticed they seemed to be grasping the language the more they spoke. "The yhoung called the ohldd…Yahweh."
"Yahweh? The God of the Bible came here!?"
"But he's been dead for years."
"Mhaanny ages ago, before the khsskh barrier. We watched…fshhhsshh his passage, the fhirst here in shoooo long. Hisshhh light was painful, just like your spike."
"My spike? Your True Longinus!" Hecuba pulled out her new weapon as she realized what he was talking about, looking it over curiously. "This does have his last will within it, can you speak to him?"
"Nooooo, it hasshhh been so kxkskfr long. Yahweh desiirrreed a place…somewhere his world would nheever find."
"If the God of the Bible wanted it never found, then why tell us?"
"He issshhh not our God. What he left here has leffttt a great burden we want gone."
"What did he leave?" Vali's eyes were glowing in a way Hecuba did not like. Clearly, he was imaging just what could leave this group that did not fear attacking Indra on sight so desperate as to communicate with them. "What!?"
The shadows receded, the pair finding themselves in the same chamber as before. It took them several moments to realize that a massive archway had now been illuminated stretching high into the air. Whether it had just appeared or was there hidden by the shadows, no one could guess. It spanned taller than they could almost see the top before looping back down forming a perfect half-circle.
"That is enormous," Diehauser could not help but describe. "I surmise even the Nagalfr could sail through it without issue.
"But how do we open it?" Vali motioned to Bikou and Arthur to start searching, running their hands along the smooth black surface. "If it was sealed by the God of the Bible…Hecuba, try the True Longinus on it."
"I am not certain that is a good idea, surely it was closed for a reason." She could sense trepidation from the spear, the last will of a fallen God filling her with dread upon considering the actions. "We should wait."
"Wait for what?" Vali approached her, the first time Hecuba could recall being concerned for what he was thinking. She almost thought he may strike her.
"Me."
A burst of light blinded those present, completely banishing the darkness and sending the hordes of natives retreating with it. Diehauser and Indra raised their barriers, the radiance splitting around them without dealing damage. When the initial shockwave dispersed, Hecuba using the True Longinus to shield Vali from the holy attack, they saw who had appeared.
"So many of God's enemies gathered in one place, thanks to his grace for such an opportunity to perform his will." It was Vali who replied first, knowing the identity of the man who stood before them even if those gathered hadn't recognized his voice heard moments before the Nagalfr crashed.
"Ewald Cristaldi, you are very far from your followers. One might think you are trying to hide your activities from them. This goes beyond an Exorcist Rebellion…just what are you looking for in this city?"
In the heart of the city…
"Dorian, are you okay?" The Einherjar felt a pair of arms grip his left to help him stand.
"I am okay Iggy, it was a lot to take in, how are you doing?"
"My head is swimming, but…but I can take it. I feel different here, whole-er if that makes sense."
"Same," Despoina's voice called out from his right. To Dorian's shock, he felt a new pair of arms grip his right so he was supported on both sides.
"Despoina?! How are you doing that?"
"Doing what?" She asked, clearly just as blind as he and unable to realize the feat she was pulling off.
"You're touching me at the same time as Iggy."
"I am? I thought she was still just projecting, she's here too?"
"Yes! She's on my left and you on my right."
"Your laws of physics and understanding do not function as you would assume in this place." Kassaegtha echoed around them. A bit of what once was lingers here, and my presence is not wholly gone yet."
"Is that why you were unable to perform more acts the closer we got?" Despoina's curiosity was on full display as she was almost reborn while in that chamber. "Because we were getting closer to your real body?"
"In a sense, but there is more to it than that. Allow me to show you."
A thought flashed through the three's minds reflecting a massive shape dwarfing them to little more than specs of dust. Not just in grandeur, but age, it was obviously meant to be her body, capable of so much through just sheer thought that modern gods could not match without great effort or assistance. At the same time, there was a fragility to it that they could sense, a single black mote-like drop hanging from an extended tentacle resting over a fountain-like basin. The bowl was empty, but they knew had once been full to the brim with the dark substance.
"Is that…blood?"
"It is as different from blood as your ichor is from water. But in terms you will understand, it is similar enough. And I am nearly out."
"Nearly out?"
"If Ichor is the reference," Despoina spoke up first. "Among the Greek gods, it does not regenerate as your blood does and once gone, the God cannot return to life even with magic. You will die?"
"Only in terms of existing here as I will be unable to return. As with the rest of my kind, we need an anchor, something tangible in your world to remain. The rest departed and so cannot return without their physical forms. Mine has rested down here for so long. After uncounted eons, even death may eventually die. What I showed you is the last drop in my body. When that falls…you will not see me again."
Dorian didn't know what to say, Kassaegtha's presence had almost grown into a sense of normalcy for him. It was unsettling knowing she could be around him at any time without his knowledge, but also knowing she'd never be there again left a sense of melancholy he could not shake.
"But the Old Satan Faction got that staff from here, didn't they?"
"Yes."
"How? That barrier was up, how did they get through?"
"They did not, the barrier was raised only after the other anomaly came here eighteen years ago. Before that, it was not needed."
"Eighteen years…Moloch? He took the staff from this place back then?"
"He was chased out by those who still remain, but took one of my constructs as I was distracted walking your world. You aided me in recovering that. I have not allowed a second entry since."
"So, he WAS from the future!" Iggy shouted in a shaky voice. "That must be how he knew to find this place; he already was aware of your existence."
"But how did he time travel to eighteen years ago?" Despoina asked. "He didn't come back with us when Dorian returned, that is certain."
"It…it's all my fault," Dorian could feel Iggy fall to her knees, lowering himself down to hold her. "It's the only explanation, eighteen years ago is when mother sent me here from the future we saw."
"That doesn't make it your fault," Dorian comforted her. "If he followed you or used the same means to reach here as you did…you were just a seed! He must have stayed clear of the larger events to prevent the paradox of his creation breaking, but still worked to set things up! That's why he gave the staff to Katerea, so he could stay out of events until he knew it was safe."
"You are almost thinking like one of us…almost. It was the tremors caused by the staff's usage in Olympus that allowed you to find this place which only those you fight against did the first time around. This chamber, only you will be allowed entry…but there is the one your friends were left in. It contains a doorway."
"A doorway to where?" The Einherjar asked with trepidation in his voice fully knowing he didn't want to know the answer.
"To the End of the World."
Noah's Ark…
"We are under attack!" Exorcists called out as they fired bullets of light at the oncoming assailants. "It's Team Slash Dog and the Crossroads!"
A large black dog bounded between the traitorous Church fighters, slamming them into the ground with such force that rendered them unconscious. At Irina's behest, the beast tried to restrain himself from killing any of them, but was certain many would have broken bones as a result. Behind him, his master Tobio slashed through their weapons of light wielding scythes that would have been awed by the mightiest Grim Reapers.
"Go Jin!" Tobio called out to his Sacred Gear. "Make sure they know we're here…though with Lavinia, that won't be hard."
While his black dog was impressive, Lavinia took her job of drawing their attention to a whole other level. Also possessing an independent avatar Sacred Gear, Absolute Demise, she had started the battle with it already summoned. A doll with the appearance of a woman in a beautiful gown stood tall looming over all they fought. Its very presence caused a blizzard that not even holy fire could overcome. The golem-like construct protected Lavinia who stood in all her dazzling, yet menacing, glory smiling.
Beside Tobio, Xenovia wielded both Durandal and Angurvadal, her mind racing to keep track of the many who poured out of the ark towards them. Their strike force was stronger than the average exorcist, but against so many, they would soon have to retreat.
Be safe in there Irina, we'll hold the fort out here. If I'm fortunate, I'll get a second chance to prove I am a worthy successor of Durandal!
"Call Lord Vasco! Will Lord Ewald emerge from his chamber for this? Release the Beast!"
"Release the…? You brought even that with you!?"
The entrance ramp to the ark opened up, reinforcements arriving along with a looming black shape behind them. It had the appearance of a giant wolf, but its snout was elongated, ears pointed menacingly and while it was clearly furred, its pelt was sharp and jagged as if made up of knives. Even the exorcists avoided it, herding the monster in the direction of the attackers.
"What is that thing?" Tobio asked, having thought he knew all the creatures that served Heaven.
"The Beast of Gévaudan," Xenvoia explained, her tutelage in the Church not forgotten. "How desperate must they have been to free that creature after it killed so many? There is no way Lord Ewald would have agreed to this!"
"I was against it as well," the team whirled around to see Vasco Strada emerge next from the Ark, his grey hair billowing in the wind. He stood ready for battle, the replica Durandal in-hand as well as a combat variant of his priestly robes. "But we agree on most else, and so I followed."
Vasco Strada, Xenovia tried to hide the concern in the back of her mind as she leveled her two swords towards him. The strongest warrior of the Church besides maybe Roland himself who defeated even Kokabiel when fighting alone. Irina said he turned down becoming an angel all so he could remain a human on his deathbed. If he could turn traitor, nothing is certain. Heh, my hands are actually shaking. I've seen many gods, and Ragnar showing how savage an Einherjar can be and yet still Vasco is so…
"And that is why we must fight," Xenovia's voice betrayed the worry in her heart and mind, words being strong as stone. Behind, she could see Tobio's gear, Jin, grappling with the beast as he and Lavinia tried to hold the creature at bay. "Whatever our disagreements were, it should never have come to this. Heaven is our home."
"It is not so simple," he sighed as he also prepared to battle. "DO NOT INTERFERE!" He commanded the exorcists around him. "This fight is mine. You are young and have not fought so long as myself and most of those aboard the Ark. To battle for so many years, then simply be told that your greatest foes are not so anymore? It cannot be done that smoothly, regardless of what your commander feels."
"Lord Vasco…"
"Ready your blades, Xenovia Quarta. If our rebellion cannot show Heaven the path it should take, then at the very least, those who fight should be able to vent their grievances. Few on Lord Ewald's side did not lose family, friends or comrades against the devils. I pray to our lord and father that this conflict will provide that closure."
Within Noah's Ark…
"Is this the way to go?" Seekvaira whispered quietly to Irina as they crept through the halls of Noah's Ark. With their plan having gone off perfectly, the pair were able to sneak aboard after Vasco opened the ramp to send out reinforcements. With the magic of Excalibur Transparency, they had made it in without anyone noticing.
"I think so, I haven't seen the inside of the Ark in years," she admitted.
"Years!? The strongest warship of your people and you haven't seen it in years?"
"Don't be mean! It hasn't been launched in my lifetime, normally it's just a museum to our Lord's will! It was built exactly to his specifications."
"Sshhh," Seekvaira placed a finger over Irina's lips as they rounded a corner just as a squad of exorcists and priests ran by.
"Lord Vasco is facing the attackers," one shouted without stopping. "The beast has been released to deal with the rest. We must be ready to aid them both!"
"I can't believe she still sided with them," a woman in a dark robe retorted. "Perhaps we can reclaim Durandal once she is beaten. What about the prisoner?"
"He's not going anywhere; besides, he already is being read to. Lord Vasco did not want the young Cardinal Bishop to fight. The Miracle Child and new recruits will be guard enough until this is over."
"The Miracle Child?" Irina pulled Seekvaira a little harder while they were invisible. "Please don't tell me that he's here too!"
"Who?" Seekvaira did not need to await an answer as she heard a young man speaking in what may have been the gentlest voice she'd ever heard.
"Fear not, for God art with thee, even in these times. Know that the work you are doing, though against your own will, is in line with his own. I swear that once these tribulations are complete, all shall be done to repent our actions…"
At the far end of the hallway, a boy with dark hair, gold eyes and adorned in priestly vestments was kneeling before a heavily reinforced door reading from a book. Despite his younger appearance, he had a majestic glow about him seeming to be an angel yet seeming different than the others they had come across.
"His eminence Teodoro Legrenzi!" Irina made a sign of the cross about herself. "He is one of the highest positions in the Church, one of so few born half angel and half human."
"I thought that the Brave Saints were the first time that angels and humans could mix," Seekvaira whispered as they inched closer. "Do they not fall if…such actions are taken?"
"Not under the right circumstances. There is this ritual that…never mind," she did not have time to clarify as she had for Kuroka previously. "But the rarity is extraordinary. That MUST be the prisoner Lord Vasco was referring to for his eminence Legrenzi to be taking interest."
"What do you propose? We could come upon him unawares and…"
"DON'T you dare!" Irina blurted out at the very notion of bringing harm to the Miracle Child who had been such an inspiration. She realized her mistake too late; the damage being done as the half-angel closed his book, head snapping in their direction.
"Who is there?" He called out down the hallway. "If you are friend, do not be afraid to step into the light."
"Take Excalibur and sneak around to the cell," Irina passed the blade off to Seekvaira while keeping a thick cloth wrapped around the handle. "It knows to trust you with the current invisibility, just don't try using any other powers. The locks should be simple to open for you."
"Wha…?" The Agares heiress tried to protest, but it was too late. Irina let go of the sword, materializing at the end of the hall in plain sight of the young man.
"You!" The boy recognized Irina, immediately tensing in a defensive manner. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you truly believe this is what our father wanted?" Irina started to speak, all the questions she'd wanted to ask those who stood against them since the first betrayal was known. "Our brothers and sisters fighting each other, I can't believe that!"
"I…questioned the resolve of our choice many times," he admitted upon seeing she had no weapon drawn nor could he sense any ill intent from her. "If you had joined us, we'd have grown even stronger. You touched the Heaven System, something even we miracle children could not to any great degree. If you are here for him..."
"Will you let him go, please?" Irina inched closer, eliciting Teodoro to do the same getting further from the cell. "I do not know why you keep him trapped, but…"
"You don't know who is in there?" The half-angel looked shocked. "Then perhaps it truly is providence that you of all people came to free him. His eminence said his mind would be needed for our victory. I will not let him go."
"I know that change can be scary," Irina tried to talk through it, being totally unwilling to throw the first blow. "Believe me, when I first found my old friends; Issei becoming a devil and Dorian a pagan with Xenovia, I despaired. But I've also seen that didn't make them bad people. There are bad devils, pagans, and the other myths, but there are good ones too. Dorian's Crossroads are an olive branch we shouldn't deny."
"They don't deserve it," true anger showed on Teodoro's face. "My mother and father…they were killed by devils years ago in the very town you grew up in; I can't forgive any of them! And for those who ally with them, they are just as sinful!"
"Heaven disagrees. If it didn't, then I could never be adjusting the system as I have. Maybe that is why it didn't work for others if you were trying to force it to do something it didn't agree with. It's alive as much as you and I, you have to talk to it, let it see your point of view. Maybe we…"
A loud clang interrupted them as the cell door swung open with the lock being bypassed. Already on edge, Teodoro fired a shockwave of holy energy down the hallway. Even invisible, Seekvaira could not avoid it and was exposed, dropping Excalibur at her feet. It had felt heavy but bearable until the invisibility was dispelled, then it burned her hand as any other Holy Sword even through the cloth.
I suppose Irina's coaxing of it to put up with a devil could only last so long. The Agares heiress found herself facing Teodoro, his majestic features twisting into a gaze of pure rage at the realization of her devil heritage.
"How…DARE YOU!" He shouted, tears welling in his eyes. "How dare you step aboard this sacred ark!?"
Without time to reply, Teodoro drew a blade of light and launched himself at Seekvaira, angel wings on full display. The devil heiress leapt back, seemingly right into the blade, however, it missed by a small margin thanks to the extra speed gained by her wings. Again, and again his attacks missed, the frustration mounting on the Cardinal's face. Finally, he stepped back to gauge the situation.
"These cursed seals," he muttered while glancing to devil circles left between him and his opponent. "They are slowing me down, giving you enough time to avoid me. That won't save you!"
Slamming down his weapon, symbols glowing gold fluttered from his body onto the ground. Spinning faster and faster, they slithered away like snakes made of sentences towards the traps planted by Seekvaira. One by one, her time-slowing seals shattered before the power of Heaven. She was exposed with Teodoro leaping for the savage blow. The attack did not connect, intercepted by a dazzling blade.
"I won't let you hurt her," Irina insisted while pushing back with the True Excalibur. "She is my teammate, my friend, the bonds we've formed go past anything skin deep!"
The legendary Holy Blade reverberated at her words, the mere pressure of it working against Teodoro's best efforts. At last, he could not hold his positioning and was blasted backwards. He was not able to right himself until he was at the far end of the hall with no chance of closing the distance.
"By the light of Heaven," he proclaimed, creating dozens of javelins over his head. "I will smite this devil!"
"Seekvaira! Get dow…!" Irina's warning at the attacks that could obliterate a devil were released towards them.
Irina and Seekvaira worked together, between the turrets from her mechanical wing and Irina's defense with Excalibur, they turned aside projectile after projectile. Several struck Irina, but she stood firm knowing she was more resistant to them than her friend.
My friend, yes, she is. It doesn't matter that she is a devil and I am an angel, we are friends. She has helped us and Dorian trusts her. Knowing that…
Time seemed to slow around her as she noticed a single javelin of light wiz past, her movements too slow stopping others to intercept it. A silent scream escaped her lips as the powerful light-weapon struck Seekvaira square in the chest, sending the Agares heiress reeling to the ground.
"SEEKVAIRA!" Irina turned, kneeling before her wounded ally. The last of the bombardment had ceased, Teodoro panting in exhaustion from afar while checking the fruits of his assault. "Don't move, let me look…"
"Uuugghhh," she groaned as she looked down at the wound. It was bleeding and scorched, but was not as bad as feared. "On my belt, I h-have an emergency medkit."
"Like this?" Irina quickly pulled out a pad-like bandage, slapping it onto the wound eliciting a gasp of pain. It sealed around her with a sizzle, stopping the flow of blood while letting the medicine coated upon it soak into the wound.
"That is impossible," Teodoro looked shocked at the outcome. "I put all my power into that, such might of Heaven should have burned her away on impact. Even if it did not fully kill her, FAR more damage should have been done. She had no barrier or protective shield up, nothing that should have mitigated the strike!""
"I was right," Irina was unable to hold back a tear of joy. "I was right! The system believed me!"
"Believed…you?"
"The Heaven System," she tried to compose herself. "The reason Holy energy hurts devils so much is that our father made it so. Just as it allowed miracles to happen, it also worked to keep our power as deadly as possible to their kind. When he…died, it was locked like that. Not even Lord Michael could do anything about it."
"B-but you did?" Seekvaira asked, putting the final touches on her first aid. Wrapping an arm around Irina, she was helped to her feet though the pain still lingered. "You changed its settings?"
"Not entirely," her humble side would not allow any misunderstanding. "But I wanted it to know that not all devils are bad…so I tried to use you as a template and show what could be."
"The Heaven system protected her?" Teodoro inched closer; his face drained of color at the prospect.
"More like it stopped amplifying holy magic towards her. "It will still hurt of course, but not every powerful attack is a death sentence. I…"
Irina gasped as Teodoro raised a hand, a new spear of light gripped tightly within it. The half-angel had crossed the hallway walking slowly like one in a daze. Seekvaira could barely stand and Irina had set down Excalibur to help, they were utterly defenseless.
"Lord Legrenzi, please!"
At the height of his swing, a woman with white hair tied into braided twin tails called out at the end of the hallway. She was young, not looking to be older than twelve or thirteen years old, yet clearly was known to the miracle child, his hand relaxing upon realizing she could see him in such a state. The spear disintegrated into thin air, surprising the girls as Teodoro collapsed to a knee fighting back tears pouring into his hands.
"How, how can that be? Our father would not want to protect devils, and yet for his creation to openly benefit one of their kind. It's not possible." The newcomer dressed in a nun's robe rushed to his side, holding his shoulders for support.
"I do not claim to know of your system," Seekvaira spoke through the pain. "But what Irina says is true. Not just her, but I have learned in the recent months that there is more to this world than what we see around us keeping to our homes. I do not know the circumstances of your parents' deaths…but there were wrongs done on all sides before the Peace Summit."
"You…you don't get to…" Teodoro stood and pointed at her, his lips trembling unable to finish his sentence. "I won't forgive, I won't."
"Lord Legrenzi," the white-haired girl put a hand to his face, but he turned away clearly ashamed that she saw him at his lowest.
"We're not asking you to," Irina interjected. "But that does not mean violence is a necessity. One step at a time, that is all that is needed. Please."
"Go," he muttered sounding utterly defeated. "Just take him and go, Lord Ewald said this was the path, but if the system itself is against us…"
Leaning Seekvaira against a wall, Irina rushed to the unlocked door to free the prisoner. As she did, Seekvaira slid a bit closer to Teodoro, not liking the conflicted expression marring his features. Despite being the very thing that he hated; she couldn't just stand there and do nothing.
"Are you hurt?" The girl asked, the church leader shaking his head weakly.
"No, Tosca, I am fine. You should not be here, I have been…"
"Irina is right, change is never easy," the Agares heiress interjected, her movement draw his eye to her mechanical wing, something he had taken for an augmentation but then spotted the truth of the matter from the scarred tissue. "But it doesn't have to break you. It's better to bend with it than…"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Irina's cries broke her from the attempt at calming Teodoro's mind. Seekvaira limped to the door, looking inside to find the reincarnated angel holding a middle-aged man in her arms. His light-brown hair so similar to hers led the Agares heiress' mind to consider the truth even before Irina confirmed it.
"Oh…Irina," he muttered weakly before losing consciousness. "What are you doing here? Can you tell your mother…I'll be coming home…soon…"
"What are you doing here? Dad, why are you here!?"
Outside the Ark…
Xenovia slammed against the hull of the Ark after barely catching a colossal punch from Vasco Strada. Had she not gotten Durandal and Angurvadal up in time, she was certain that she'd be on death's door. His Holy Punch was legendary for obliterating devils in a single swing regardless of strength. She released a silent thanks that she did not have such weaknesses to holy magic as an Einherjar. Back on the Nagalfr, she had been unprepared for it but now had taken steps to put as many defensive runes on herself as was possible.
He didn't even use his weapon!
Unbroken, recalling the pain of battling Ragnar and Ygritte, Xenovia redoubled her efforts rushing with speed that would have made Kiba proud. Feinting with Angurvadal, blocked by his Durandal replica, she brought the true sword up on his unprotected side. All breath left her body as the unthinkable happened, he stopped it with two fingers of his left hand without even attempting to evade. After several seconds, the imposing holy aura began to dissipate.
"That was a magnificent assault," the old priest complimented, noticing blood trickling from a cut made in his skin. "You have not been idle during your time among the Nine Realms. In recognition of your growth, I shall take this seriously as much as these old bones can."
The pressure released from his words dragged the girl to the ground, so intense that it was hard to breathe until she could acclimate to it. The sheer force could have incapacitated a normal human and even weaker fighters of any myth. Before she could recover, the replica Durandal was swung towards her leaving a sonic boom in its wake. Bringing both her swords to bear, Xenovia managed to block it yet the strength behind it sent her flying again.
"I was told this replica is roughly one fifth the strength of the true one, it takes more of my own energy than I expected to make up for it."
"That…that is what is so inspiring," Xenovia staggered to her feet again, surprising Vasco who knew that if she didn't have any broken bones yet, they were not far from it. "You are far past your prime, using an inferior copy, and yet my hands are shaking just standing in your presence. How did you get so strong?"
"No particular advantage," he admitted, surprised to be so humbled by her words. "This is the result of non-stop training, countless battles worth of experience and absolute faith in god's path for these hands. It pains me they must come to bear against you!"
"Does that mean if your resolve for Lord Ewald's actions wanes, so will your strength?"
Xenovia dodged left to avoid his follow-up fist leaving a dent in the ark behind them. The impact sent shockwaves that actually pushed the ship several inches. She used that opening to bounce off a rock to propel herself at him, weapons starting to glow with holy energy and something else from Angurvadal. No matter how much she hit, he effortlessly parried each attack with a speed that betrayed his age. Pushing her back, he swung a fist that erupted a wave of energy at her.
Not like this! Xenovia swung Durandal and Angurvadal is an x-shaped manner. To her amazement, despite the attack being far stronger than what she could muster, it was cleaved through, the magic dispersing around her to explode harmlessly behind. What…was that?
"That's it, you're starting to realize what took me years!" Vasco complimented with a bellow. "Durandal is strong, but it has an inherent nature beyond its holy element. And that nature is power!"
"Why is he talking to her?" An exorcist demanded. "She is the enemy!"
"You can't take the teacher out of a man," Lavinia remarked with a smile. "Especially one walking the same path you did." The exorcist barely realized it was an opponent speaking to him, flattened by a slab of ice before being able to make a move.
"I can…cut anything?" Xenovia knew of the power Durandal wielded, but since picking it up, she never imagined being able to counter an attack from Vasco himself.
"In time, hoooo, if I was only thirty years younger, this would be enjoyable seeing someone grow. I am amazed you've been able to wield Durandal all this time, its power is not easy to contain."
"I used to have that issue, having to keep it sealed in a pocket dimension so that it didn't hurt those around me. But I haven't had to use it in some time, not since…" Her eyes fell to her other hand where the Nordic Runeblade Angurvadal rested.
Ever since I got a hold of this sword from Fafnir's hoard…
"I thought so," the old man nodded. "That is a violent sword indeed, I can sense its thirst for battle from here. No doubt it helped give its myth the reputation for it has earned over the years. Durandal's nature is one of power, while Angurvadal thirsts for combat all around it, I can think of few traits that go so well together. Perhaps those two resonate like brothers, stabilizing that destructive aura for you to wield."
"They have been resonating?" Xenovia looked upon her blades with a new light. She had fought with them in the recent months, the pair feeling balanced in a way that made them perfect to use in combination skills.
"Indeed, so come at me…and I'll show you how Durandal should TRULY be used!"
Xenovia faces the overwhelming might of Vasco Strada, Dorian experiences an Old Goddess' full being while Ewald makes his move to reach the secrets hidden by the Underwater City of the ancients. All the while, the faithful are shaken by one of their youngest reborn angels who found an unlikely person down in the darkness. The initial battles of the city of the Old Ones draw to a conclusion next time. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D
