swid16kawail: Old Gods are pretty big in Bloodborne, but I'll admit I didn't use any specific scene from it for this chapter (Love the game though :D). I just love how much you reference Lovecraft work, big inspiration to me. And yes, Irina's father was the mysterious prisoner...he's part of a bit of a plot that is still in the making ;)
silverhawk88: Exactly, their official reason was to kidnap Ravel and have more Phenex Tears...but Euclid cared more about seeing what he could get away with. Yep! Her physical Old Goddess body where it's been residing for thousands of years. She's been projecting her mind/essence across the world, but her real tangible body has always been there. The area around her is unstable in terms of reality, hence Despoina being able to do more when nearby. That is a good way of putting it. If Dorian makes a road there...anyone else who can access the Roads could use it too ;)
Royalrain20xx: I'm honestly surprised Issei never thought of it in canon XD. Exactly ;) Moloch has been around for 18 years but just like how Kassaegtha couldn't interfere without changing the time so that she never met Dorian, so too Moloch could not interfere or he'd undo what brought him back in time in the first place and thus undo everything. He still had some influence but knew he couldn't make too big of changes. Once Dorian went to the future and came back, all bets were off. I know what you mean LOL, that ray of sunshine is the reason I adored her when she was first introduced. Before Rossweisse, she was my favorite DxD heroine.
Ragna126: Thank you so much! :D He is a good character, definitely and it means more than I can say you think so highly of Roots. :D
avenger3576: My intention was to show how incredibly rare it is. Only the highest ranking members of devil society can get ahold of one and its never been considered to connect full people before as it was intended for familiars.
DragonGodZalama: That is right, he wasn't a guard per se but reading to the prisoner when they came around and Vasco wanted him away from the frontline fighting. And yes, Tosca is part of the rebellion just like in canon. I can't say the Touji part without spoilers. Roots isn't a perfect match to canon, Touji was brought in early due to circumstances which will be explained later. She is a human-ish form of the Old God residing in the Underwater City, think of her as an extension of its soul/consciousness as a way she could walk the world while her real body was in the city.
Amu B. Stander: Right on all accounts, especially about Indra lol. I am glad you enjoyed it! :)
7: I can see that, Grendel is such a battle maniac that he'd put Sairaorg to shame. I think his "evil" side is more he doesn't care who he has to hurt or who gets in the way as long as he can just have a massive fight with someone strong. I am glad you caught that how they got a sample of Issei before leaving...I am sure that won't come back to bite them in any way... Oh yea, in canon Slash Dog is SUPER strong, considered one of the top agents of the Grigori, the fact the beast can threaten them so much really shows how terrifying it is. I can't speak to the Trihexa portion wtihout spoilers, but I hope this current chapter has some illuminating information. :D Thank you so much for your review and kind words! I hope to not disappoint as I continue.
fanficcyberman: Tbh I'm surprised he never thought of it in canon...seems right up his alley XD Love can flourish anywhere, even in that city in a small way. LOL, I can see that too, Rat with black sunglasses like a mob boss "making an offer he cannot refuse" Precisely ;) In canon, they say he locked it away at the end of the world but then never showed where that was (the brigade found it offscreen). For Roots...let's just say I wanted there to be more to it than just hiding it away which I will explain later ;) I am so glad you liked it man! Eons at the bottom of the ocean can take its toll on anything, even an Old Goddess. She isn't dying per se, but without an anchor she can't stay which is what she wants to do with the rest of her kind having departed. And Euclid having access to the Roads, how can this be? Find out next time on Roots of Hope Z! XD XD
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"Resurrection!?" Tobio grimaced as he dove to the side avoiding the Beast of Gévaudan's claws. He and Jin had performed an exemplary combination attack that left the creature surely dead. However, as soon as his back was turned, it rose again and attacked, wounding his companion and nearly taking his own head off. Blood dripped from an open gash across his arm. "Since when can it do that?"
"Maybe it always could, but when was the last time anyone killed it?" Lavinia pointed out as her ice doll clashed with the beast, great chunks of crystals being shattered with each bite of its fangs. The great hound struck again and again, its injuries not totally healing, and yet it seemed to completely ignore the damage not slowing it down in the slightest. Tobio grimaced as he avoided the attacks, hoping to keep it from focusing on Jin until he could recover all the while wishing more of his team had been able to make the expedition.
With the Khaos Brigade sneaking around, they're needed more on the defensive than here right now. That leaves the question of what to do with this thing…
"You know what they say about immortals," Lavinia winked as her confidence remained strong despite the foe before them. "If you can't kill them…"
"…get clever," the Grigori agent finished for her. "Jin! Let's go!"
Lavinia covered the pair, unleashing a veritable blizzard upon the beast, however, it withstood the cold with its incredible strength. Finally meeting together, Tobio leapt atop his partner to slowly sink into his body. As he disappeared from sight, his voice never wavered with a chant heard by friend and foe alike around them.
Behowlest the slaying of one thousand mortals. Besingest the slaying of ten thousand goblins. Mine name, immersed in deepest darkness, its the Imitation God traversing the Polar Night. O ye, perishest by mine own black blade. Fools ye art, oh deformed Creator Gods. BALANCE BREAK! NIGHT CELESTIAL SLASH DOGS!
After several moments, a werewolf-like black hound stood strong where two had once been with six tails swirling behind him. Though not as unknown and terrifying as the blackness of that city, it caused all nearby Exorcists to keep their distance. Even the Beast of Gevaudan paused, but its anger could not be dissuaded so easily. The great scythe appearing in Tobio's hands only made it all the more menacing.
"Let's see if you can survive this!" The new terrifying humanoid wolf charged the more four-legged one, slashing into it with his weapon. As he ran, the plumes of smoke billowing from his fur coalesced into clones of Jin, each wolf diving into the Beast one after the other dispersing on impact causing tremendous damage with each blow.
Great chunks of the Beast of Gévaudan broke away, and yet the creature still stood. At last, it broke through the ranks and charged Tobio, claws threatening to close around him stopped only by his indomitable strength while within the Balance Breaker he had mastered over the years. Even so, he was slowly losing ground…until feeling a chill run down his spine.
"You took your time," he chuckled as a great blizzard tore through the fighting pair. Thinking fast, Tobio dove out of the form he had taken leaving behind a shadowy echo to hold the monster in place for only a moment.
A moment was all they needed as standing behind, Lavinia had summoned a torrential storm of ice and cold once more. This time, however, with so much taken from the Beast in Tobio's colossal attack, it could not resist her powers and began to slow. Before its claws could rain down on her teammate again, it had completely stopped, frozen solid in place. Breathing easy, Tobio leaned back trusting in her spells to hold it.
"Immortality doesn't count much if you can't move," Lavinia blew a kiss with a wink. "So, I suppose that just leaves…"
Turning around, it had become obvious that the Exorcists on the defensive had given the two a wide berth. Despite outnumbering them many times over, seeing the legendary members of Team Slash Dog having dealt with one of their trump cards in such an efficient manner had given them pause. For the moment, it seemed they were content to pen Lavinia and Tobio in to prevent escape.
Their courage will return, the leader of the team was certain of. But it bought some time, hopefully a chance for Irina to get this prisoner out of the ark. Xenovia, she's still facing Vasco. We need to get over and help her…
Later…
"You have fought valiantly, but you had no hope from the beginning. Stay down, this will only hurt more if you do not."
Xenovia was facedown not far from Vasco Strada barely moving. Her face was covered in bruises with one eye she couldn't open anymore. Blood dripped from wounds where the replica Durandal had landed, rending flesh through her best defensive measures. She had scored hits in return, but Vasco still stood strong, muscles demanding further combat. Although, despite his indomitable nature, his breathing had gotten noticeably heavier and labored.
Damn the frailties of the human body.
"Xenovia!" Tobio called out, cutting down a group that tried to stop him though more took their place. "Leave her be, the fight is over!"
"…o…it's not…" The young Einherjar staggered to her feet, blades in each hand used as makeshift crutches. The training with Ygritte and Ragnar stayed at the forefront of her mind, the injuries of each blow swiftly healed over and over so they could continue teaching her the way of their people. That was not the case here, but she had grown accustomed to that sensation and pain that lingered even after the wounds were gone. Vasco's attacks were colossally strong, stronger than any she had personally faced alone. Yet all the same, she had twisted and turned at each moment so as to minimize injury to her vital areas. She was in pain, but it was manageable.
Being an Einherjar is to personify ferocity in the face of Ragnarök, Ragnar had explained as the giantess he loved rained blow after blow upon her. Pain means nothing but to drive you forward, so long as the wounds are not fatal or debilitating, they will not stop you from facing the apocalypse itself.
"You cannot win."
"I am weaker than you, that does not mean I cannot win," Xenovia corrected, taking a solid stance with a renewed surge to ignore the blinding burning throughout her body. "Loki was stronger than us, but we beat him. Kokabiel was stronger than us all, but help came and we won. Dorian has been aware of this Trihexa, this creature destined to destroy the world…but that does not mean it will succeed. Being weaker does not make a fight hopeless."
She disappeared in a flash, reappearing beside Vasco who blocked with the replica Durandal. From the blades in her hand, a pulse struck the aging exorcist, forcing him to step back. The first time he had to do so.
"You told me that Durandal can cut through anything," she repeated while pressing forward. "Does that mean your indomitable aura as well?"
Vasco reached out, delivering a punch into her abdomen to the sound of bones crunching. To his shock, it did not lessen her attack in the slightest. Techniques flew between them, each resulting in a pulse from Angurvadal and Durandal, the two glowing the same color now neither Runic nor Holy magic but something in between. It was on the follow-up swing that Durandal's shape began to warp and change, drawing Vasco's gaze to them.
"I have never seen this before in all my years holding it…"
"I have," Xenovia spun, the pulse now a deafening boom as those around realized what it was. The destructive force capable of cutting anything now being wielded in its own way by this girl many years his junior. "It's the shape it took when Hecuba held it, does that mean it finally warmed up to me more? If I just used my Church training, this fight would have been over long ago. But I've met friends, fought alongside others who we used to call enemies and learned how Einherjar fight. Two entirely separate styles of combat working as one, just like my swords. I think I have enough strength for one more…please tell me how I have performed!"
The blades of her weapons started to glow a dazzling crimson-gold light, extending far into the heavens. With a deafening war cry that could have brought tears to Ragnar's eyes, she swung both Angurvadal and Durandal down upon Vasco. Before the blinding explosion, it was clear as day the cracks that formed as the replica Durandal shattered into fragments before the full wrath of its original and the weapon it considered like a brother. The explosion blew away any nearby who may have considered aiding their lord. The last thing they noticed before being forced to cover their eyes was how dim Vasco appeared, as if his aura had lessened.
"Xenovia…XENOVIA!" Lavinia called out as she rushed closer past the exorcists that had stopped fighting at the sheer spectacle of their lord. She did not need to wait long to see the results of the battle. Xenovia was crumpled on the ground unmoving still gripping her weapons. Vasco Strada stood over her, his own blade reduced to merely the hilt. He had taken the hit, his body smoking and all his upper clothes vaporized to reveal the muscles honed from decades that made him a legend. Looking down at her, he whispered a silent prayer.
"I can see why Durandal chose you after me., that was better than I was at your age by far. That Einherjar ferocity goes well with the finesse you learned from the Church. If you taught that to our future fighters, Heaven would be strong again indeed. If only I was thirty years younger, even twenty and I...and I…" The towering man fell forward, collapsing beside Xenovia in mutual defeat. His body pushing eighty-years old finally succumbing to the rigors of time that not even his years of hard work could overcome. A silence filled the air, no one sure how to respond at the outcome they saw as an absolute impossibility.
She almost outlasted him; Lavinia was amazed that she had managed to drop someone even the Grigori were uncertain how to face. She knew she couldn't win, but used his age and condition against him in a war of attrition. No matter how strong he was, human mortality isn't something you can just overcome with sheer will.
"Lord Vasco!"
"Lord Strada!"
"My Lord!"
The various exorcists nearby rushed to his side, forming a defensive line between their defeated commander and the still-remaining members of Team Slash Dog. Several did the same for Xenovia, laying their blades threateningly against her neck.
"Surrender!" One shouted with a shaky voice. "If you do not, we will…"
"You will do nothing," the young voice belonging to Teodoro Legrenzi stepped between them having exited the Ark. "There will be no more violence this day, stand down, NOW."
"But…" He started before seeing the tears streaming down the miracle child's face. He didn't even notice Irina and Seekvaira rush past carrying the body of their former prisoner, Touji Shidou. A young girl with white hair was behind them surrounded by a glow that caused time around them to slow, giving their injuries less chance to worsen.
"Xenovia!" Irina laid her father beside her partner, concern for the survival of both bubbling to the surface. "I need…!"
"Don't cry," Lavinia comforted the reborn angel as she knelt. "I know some healing, neither of them will die. I promise, unless you would stop me?"
"We will not," Teodoro repeated, the other exorcists allowing their weapons to drop to their sides at his direction. "Lord Vasco has fallen but not died; you've hurt many of our fighters yet have resulted in no deaths. I have…seen things that would question our actions further. Runners were sent to Lord Cristaldi's room. Surely, he will emerge for this."
"He has much to answer for," Irina bit back the tears, her face looking truly angry. "Why would you do this to my dad?"
"We needed his mind; he was working on a device that would be a boon to us but dangerous in the hands of our enemies. Lord Cristaldi…"
"…is wrong!" She cut him off, not wanting to hear more hatred from those she'd looked up to for years and for a time agreed with. "I can talk to the Heaven System, something we couldn't before that was only possible thanks to our alliance with others. And those I've met among the Crossroads since Lord Michael bid me to represent our home…"
"He will get the best of care, don't worry about that," Irina's eyes shone as Dulio appeared from the darkness with an entire detachment from the Nagalfr. Covered in Alfheim light and per Kassaegtha's promise they had not been accosted by the unknown horrors that lurked beyond their vision. With the rebels so entranced on Vasco's match, they had not seen their approach. "You heard the lady, get some medical care…for all of them."
Unexpectedly, friend and foe became one as the medical teams converged on Seekvaira, Xenovia, Irina, her father, and every wounded Exorcist who slowly gave way to allow them to treat Vasco as well. A collective sigh was breathed as the desire for battle fell away. For that moment, the world Irina hoped existed had become a reality. Alas that it would only last a moment before the silence was shattered by a voice full of fear.
"Lord Legrenzi…LORD LEGRENZI!"
"I am here," the youthful-looking boy turned to the runner who was stopping to catch his breath. "What was Lord Cristaldi's answer, where is he?"
"He would not answer, so as you commanded we forced the door. Inside we found…we found…!" The look of sheer terror on his eyes sent a chill through every one of them as he explained in great detail what they found within the Cardinal-Bishop's quarters.
Elsewhere in the City…
"The might to put Heaven in proper order," Ewald Cristaldi answered Vali's question while drawing a sword they did not recognize. "My flock is safely back on the Ark; I do not need them for this part."
Hecuba rushed in first after avoiding the light-infused bullet fired from the revolver he'd hidden in his robe. She clashed with him, the holy properties of each weapon causing an explosion of radiance that forced Vali to cover his eyes.
"Such a shame that our brightest weapon fell to one so distanced from Heaven as you. God's death has seldom been so closely felt."
Hecuba did not reply, knowing that focus in battle was a necessity. Hooking the True Longinus' shaft down, she took the Church leader's legs out from under him before slamming the rest into his chest to send him flying. Vali rushed forward next, the pair working as a tag team without the need for words exchanged. Forming a sword of energy in his hand, he slashed forward, cutting through Ewald's robe just barely missing his skin.
"That's Norse magic," Indra mused from afar. "It seems he's been learning not just from Sun Wukong, but his new adoptive family as well. Don't you move, devil," he held his mace towards Diehauser who had started advancing. "I wish to see how the White Dragon Emperor fights, if he dies then we can step in. The human Cardinal is no match for us." The glare from the Rating Game Emperor was palpable but seeing that the God was willing to fight even him, he stayed his hand for the moment.
"Trying to not rely on your stolen powers?" Ewald used his words against Vali while parrying the sword again. "That weapon was meant for only humans, not mixed breeds like you."
"I do not need my gear, it is not what makes my existence matter," he asserted, yet noticed to his horror that he was being forced back by pure strength. "But it is MY power, I have made it my own since Albion first manifested. With that being said, I don't have time for this." White armor formed over Vali's body as he sought to end the fight immediately, holding a gauntleted hand towards the Cardinal Deacon.
DIVIDE!
Fire burned in Vali's side as the blade held in Ewald's hands dropped low with incredible speed scoring a hit on his ribs. The damage healed over, but left the White Dragon Emperor pained and confused.
He should be at half strength, but that move was faster than before!
You definitely divided him, Albion sounded just as confused as Vali. Yet I sense no loss in power or speed. This is far beyond what he should be capable of.
Vali followed up with a devastating punch that could have shaken the chamber itself. Instead, his blow impacted a barrier surrounding the Deacon that only rippled slightly at his devastating attack.
"The drakeling bent on revenge for the sins of his family, not against the world but to himself." Ewald's blue eyes bore into his own with knowledge he shouldn't have had. "Will you confess your sins to me?"
"Oh, enough with this bastard!" Bikou and Arthur rushed past uncaring if Indra turned his attention to them. "Arthur, let's get him." The Pendragon heir drew Caliburn fulling willing to oblige.
Before they could advance, shapes emerged from the shadows between the reinforcements and their leader. Monstrosities of tentacles and slime whose form could barely be made out slithered to cut them off. Were it not for their lack of eyes, they may have thought these were some of the natives that had been following them. That was clearly not the case, however, as even they moved to avoid their presence. For every moment the pair stared at them, their shape seemed to change as if constantly in flux.
"We don't have time for this!" Bikou brought his staff down on the first as Arthur began to cut. To his dismay, each severed portion began to slither and move on its own as if independent from the whole.
"Even the abominations of this place move against you," Ewald mocked once more. "Perhaps they seek our father's guiding light…!?"
In his hubris, he did not spot Hecuba lunge with the True Longinus. He was fast, however, grabbing the blade moments before it would have impaled his chest. To the confusion of those around, his hand began to sizzle from the effort. For the fraction of a second, his hair shimmered dark silver and face gaining different features that quickly faded. Vali's eyes saw fire as he spotted it, even Hecuba noticing the sudden change in his demeanor.
"That glow, you're drawing power from someone else, I'll never forget that hair and face as long as I live. You…you're allied with Rizevim!?" His next punch was so powerful that it cracked the previously indomitable barrier. "Is he here!? Tell me!"
"Oh my, you weren't supposed to see that. The connection can be quite finicky sometimes, but I surmise I'd have more than simple burns on my hand if I hadn't gotten some assistance." Those words only lit Vali's heart afire all the more.
I, who is about to awaken, am the White Dragon Emperor who will take the law down to the darkness. I walk the road of domination with infinite destruction and by piercing through the imaginary dream. I shall become a pure Emperor of White Dragon and have you obey the silvery-white illusions and the perfect evil ways! Emperio Juggernaut OVERDRIVE!
Vali's newfound Juggernaut Drive exploded into existence instantly, not willing to take any chances with the opponent before him. The next blow had the desired effect, shattering the barrier and nailing Ewald across the face. The Deacon ragdolled before slamming into the sealed archway behind them.
"Who is Rizevim?" Hecuba called out while trying to make sense of the situation.
"Rizevim Lucifer, one of Lilith's sons," Diehauser explained. "One of the Old Satans and…"
"And Vali's dear Grandfather," Ewald spat blood as he staggered to his feet seemingly uncaring of his mounting injuries. "The real reason you joined the Khaos Brigade's ranks, is it not? Looking for information on your beloved pap pap's whereabouts." Vali blasted him in the face with a force of demonic energy that burned his robes further.
"That doesn't make any sense. Why would a high-ranking Church leader and an Old Satan join forces?"
"Such things are…not unheard of," Diehauser muttered in the back, his eyes growing darker noticed only by Indra who said nothing. "Still, for one so high up in the Church to be working with him…"
"He's not!" Dorian landed already in his Breakdown armor with Twilight Star drawn. He'd emerged from the darkness around them having been released from the Heart by Kassaegtha with her instructions complete. "The energy he's using is not holy, but something trying to disguise itself like it."
"Dorian? Where did you come from, and how can you tell?"
"Long story, and trust me, Iggy studied the holy element for months before showing me how to use it through Laerad Ragnarök."
"It's not holy," Iggy's voice became audible for all to hear. "It's the same as Ophis' that I cannot learn…the power of infinity! It wasn't a miracle that allowed him past the barrier, he brute-forced his way through!"
Before another word could be said, Ewald held his hands forward, swirling orange and black energy that had foregone any attempt at disguise erupted towards the pair. Realizing neither could stop it alone, Vali and Dorian raised their hands in defense.
"BIFROST BARRAGE!"
"COMPRESSION DIVIDER!"
The ultimate abilities of the pair held the attack at bay, though just barely. While normally not a beam, Vali quickly realized his ability to decrease the power of his opponents was not working. Mixing the dividing capabilities of his gear with the immense demonic energy that was his birthright, he had fashioned a means to hold the line.
"So that is why dividing didn't work, the power is infinite. No matter how much it was cut, it would stay at the same force."
"All the power taken from Ophis turned against you," Ewald chuckled in a way that made it seem like he was slowly going insane. "It's only a matter of time before you succumb. You cannot divide me; you have no Ley Lines or power source to absorb…"
"…and you can only fire in one direction," Hecuba retorted as the True Longinus opened up, a beam of pure holy light erupting forth slamming into his body from the side. To her confusion, the Deacon did not move, but took the blast in full even as the energy continued to stream in.
"I would have had to abandon this shell eventually," he turned to look at her, skin peeling away from the power to reveal another layer beneath. It was a form that they recognized. "That spear is quite impressive possessing the last will of the God of the Bible. Thank you for showing it to me."
"That is an amazing disguise, I couldn't even sense his devil aura beneath."
"Moloch…how did y-!?"
"I won't stand by any longer. He may be wielding infinity, but he is not the original owner. It makes it quite simple to render such a power…worthless."
At the words of the Rating Game Emperor, the beam pushing against Vali and Dorian suddenly ceased to exist. With no opposition, the full might of the White Dragon Emperor, the Crossroad's Einherjar and the True Longinus streamed towards the now-defenseless devil. Holding his hands out in a vain gesture, the combined attacks engulfed Moloch's body before impacting the archway behind. As the magics hit the wall, the room suddenly began to shake, forcing those present to steady themselves.
The way is open, I have failed.
"What?" Hecuba shook her head having heard a voice that no others did.
Scorched cloth fluttered to the ground before being turned to dust as the archway thrummed to life even more violently than before. Feeding off the power provided, especially that of the True Longinus, a plume of energy billowed out forcing Vali and Dorian to duck for cover lest they be caught in the surge. Only once that was finished, the room now glowing from a dim light of the result of their actions that all grew calm, everyone looking to stare, even Bikou and Arthur as they dealt with the last of the strange creatures birthed from the dark.
"Any more of those things?" Bikou looked around waiting for more. "Did that Creep Goddess double-cross us?"
"They weren't hers," Dorian answered in absolute certainty. "Probably something of Moloch's creation trying to make us think it came from the city."
The fact he could make things that looked so authentic to this place is bad. He knows about not just Kassaegtha, but this city.
"I told you not to interfere," Indra scowled at Diehauser who looked uninterested in his anger, his gaze transfixed on the now-open portal shimmering before them. The Hindu God gave up on his wrath, now equally perplexed. "Where does it lead?"
"According to Kassaegtha, the end of the world…literally," Dorian explained without taking his eyes off it. Slowly, he approached the aperture before them extending his hand into its depths. His sudden gasp caused everyone around them, Diehauser included, to jump.
"What? What is it?!"
"It's cold," Dorian smiled, having reached through with his left hand. Pulling it back, he confirmed as his fingers were covered in snow that swiftly melted within the humid chamber around them. "I'm going in."
"Not alone you aren't," Hecuba insisted. Vali stepped up with a determined look of agreement.
"We will ALL go inside," the group only then realized that Odin had arrived with some from the expedition. "This eye has seen a lot in my time, but it's been a LONG while since I saw anything like that portal and the barrier you broke to reach it. Now that is some ancient forbidden magic, to be sure."
"Perhaps we should wait," Arthur offered a word of caution. "We don't know what…" It was too late, Dorian advanced with determination towards the portal with a small flame of Hestia for heat simmering in his hand. After only a few steps he was gone.
The blasting wind struck the Einherjar feeling like a slap in the face that didn't stop. Even his strongest defenses against elements barely helped as any normal human would have frozen to death in minutes at the temperatures he was experiencing. In all directions that he looked upon exiting the portal there was nothing but ice, snow and desolation. It reminded him of documentaries and magazines he'd seen of Antarctica or the ice age thousands of years past. There were no defining landmarks that stood out other than the portal arch behind him though he almost thought he could see ruins in the distance but their state was hard to tell from so far. As he considered what this could be, the others began filing through with Odin and Indra bringing up the rear.
"If this is supposed to be the End of the World, it sure looks like it," Odin whistled at the massive region seemingly condensed within the Underwater City. "The world ended like this a few times, right?"
"It's like a pocket dimension, a miniature realm?"
"Or a memory," Hecuba spoke but wasn't sure why that thought came to mind. "An echo of what came before preserved in a moment." She shivered at the thought, feeling a sense of warmth as a black jacket fell over her shoulders. Looking back, Vali had already walked ahead wearing his armor to protect him from the cold. He did not say a word.
"But why have it here, and why lock it behind a barrier only the True Longinus could break? I mean, Dorian and Vali's attacks didn't even disturb it until Hecuba's joined in."
"Someone did not wish any to enter," Indra understood the design as it's exactly what he would do if faced with a threat he could not destroy. "There is something dark in this place."
"The God of the Bible was here," Vali recounted what he had heard from the denizens in the dark. "That had to be his work, it's the only explanation."
"We can fan out from here," Dorian fell back into the instinct of leadership. "The terrain is dead; it shouldn't be too hard to…"
"Um, ma boy," Odin's barely whispered words drew Dorian to look at the Allfather. To his confusion, the Norse God was staring down at the very ground they stood upon as beads of sweat formed on his brow. "I…I don't think we need to go far. Look."
Dorian glanced down, seeing only ice beneath their feet. Kneeling down, he touched the surface with a bare hand. A spark shot through him, knocking the young man onto his butt. For a moment, just a moment, he almost thought the ground shifted slightly beneath them. Almost instantly, both Iggy and Despoina materialized around him. They looked unnerved, able to sense the same thing they could.
"I-it's like the nightmares," Iggy muttered. "The exact same feeling. But why here?"
"Dorian, go back to the city," Despoina tried to counsel him. "You don't have to…"
"I HAVE to know!" Dorian got back up, rushing to the closest chunk of ice sticking up out of the ground. Balling his fist, he punched the ice, cracking it. It wasn't enough, he punched again and again and again, the others watching with growing horror as his fists started to bleed from the effort. At last, the unnaturally strong ice fell away to reveal a dark obsidian-like substance within completely undamaged from his assault without even a scratch. He guessed what it was from the concern in his heart even with how tall the object loomed into the sky. "It's a horn."
"A horn?" Iggy was nearly hyperventilating even while trying to bandage his hands. "Then we're…"
"Standing atop a mighty beast, Ms. Vaetta," Odin laid a hand on her back reassuringly. "This mountain, or very nearly most of it is a monster frozen in place." The realization sent many of the expedition back through the portal, leaving only Odin, Indra, Vali, Hecuba, Dorian and his soulmates remaining. They could not see its entirety, but knowing what they looked at was a horn allowed them to see the contours of a head going down to an impossibly long neck and beyond. It was colossal, the bottom not even able to be seen hundreds of meters down. Despite only making out parts of it through the thick ice, the young man knew the beast's identity beyond a shadow of a doubt within his very soul.
"The Trihexa," Dorian breathed hard, eyes widening as the sheer impact of what he said settled in his mind. "We found it. My gods, we FOUND IT! We need to seal this portal, post more guards than…" He did not get a chance to continue as a call over the communications somehow broke through the interference crackling loudly.
"Dorian! Are you alright? Please tell me you can hear me!"
"Irina?" Dorian answered, hearing the worry in her voice. "I'm okay…at least, for the most part, what is wrong?"
"The Exorcists are standing down, long story but you have to know. We broke into Lord Ewald's room and…and…Dorian, he's dead! He's been dead for days even before we set out on this expedition!"
Moloch… Dorian clenched his fists realizing now how the menace from the future had turned even the Exorcist Rebellion to his purpose. Deep down, he took great pride in the fact that he was now dead. Despite seeing him disintegrate before their very eyes, a sense of unease had settled into the Einherjar's chest that would not go away. It was a lingering sense that they had not seen the last of him, yet he could not explain why.
The next day…
"Base camp is secure and sound," Odin announced with a joy in his voice. "No sign of our shadowy friend, but the exorcists have almost all been rounded up and are ready for transport back to the surface. Even the ones who didn't want to surrender chose us over what is out there in the dark. Any luck on knocking out this field?"
"None yet," Dorian reported with disappointment in his voice. "The Ark and Nagalfr will need to remain where they are for the time being. Thankfully, Iggy was able to establish a path through the Roads, so we are ferrying wounded and prisoners back that way until the portal passages can be established."
Did Iggy find a way through this magic dampening field, or did our time near Kassaegtha's real body help? She hasn't reappeared since; I wonder if she isn't able to manifest anymore when so close. I can't even get back to ask her about that…THING sealed down here. To be trapped by herself in that central heart seems…lonely.
"Irina went with the first group to her dad. They'll be staying at the Tower for the meanwhile."
Mr. Shidou, what were you doing here? What could Moloch have wanted you for under the guise of the rebellion? I'll have to visit him when he's better, we haven't spoken since I left England. I can't even imagine how she is feeling. Dorian had tried to comfort her, but she her worry was too much, the reborn angel had barely looked away from her father.
"Dorian!" Seekvaira entered the room with a soft pant to her voice. He could tell she had been running though had slowed just before arriving in order to hide it. Anyone else would have missed it, but not him anymore. She had seen Irina off, something he lamented not being able to do again considering all happening around him. "I heard that you found…something in the city…"
"Not so loud," Dorian whispered, stepping a little closer to try and make sure no one heard. She nodded immediately. "I heard about the fight on the Ark, are you okay?"
"Nothing serious," she motioned to her side, her dress already mended to cover her wound. "Irina saved my life; she is a woman of high quality."
"I could have told you that," Dorian chuckled weakly, though stopped quickly upon realizing he was the only one. "The Roads will see her home fast."
"Very handy to have paths now, we can't teleport even an inch down here, but your ways bypass that issue. Lady Yggdrasil is quite generous to allow us passage. And what about back in Kuoh?" He turned to face Issei who was also there as a hologram though highly distorted even with their best efforts. With some mixing of magic and what technology they could get working, they had established a connection to the surface. "Is Ophis feeling better?"
"No," he remarked with a worried tone. "I know you said you killed that Moloch bastard, but Ophis hasn't recovered her powers."
That's not good, Dorian worried without giving away his concern. If what Azazel said was true, she should have gotten all her powers back the moment Moloch was killed while using them. If she hasn't…
"What about Rias and the others? Any word from Romania?"
"…no," Issei repeated, this time without trying to hide his concern. "Not since before the attack. They definitely should have arrived by now. Old man Azazel has been staying at the Carmilla castle and they haven't checked in with him either."
"We have so much to explore here," Dorian immediately asserted but did not want to give away what they'd found after how many times the Brigade had proven able to listen in on them. "Hecuba's new Hero Faction are guarding the archaeologists and Kassaegtha's protection seems to be holding. I'm just glad you were able to fight off the Brigade while we were away."
"Yea, we kicked their asses. I just wish we could have gotten that creepoid who was all over Ms. Rossweisse. She's resting now but…"
"Creepoid?" Issei froze as a killing intent aura started emanating from his fellow Kuoh Academy Student could be felt even through the transmission. "I'll have to call you back, let us know if anything else happens." The Red Dragon Emperor nodded before disappearing in a flash of light. "I'm going home." Dorian looked to Odin who totally understood his reasoning in an instant.
"Of course, ma boy, of course. We old fogies will hold down the fort with the younger ones while you protect your misses above."
"You're departing so soon?" Seekvaira looked conflicted. "But, this place…"
"If you want to stay, I won't stop you," the Einherjar faced her head on, the Agares heiress noticing more than ever just how tall he was. "The Nagalfr is grounded and I'm sure Brokkr and Eitri will be remaining…but I know it takes both of their interest to match yours." She almost turned red at those words. "You can represent the Crossroads in my absence."
"I swear," she gripped his hands between them with confidence. "I will find SOME way to get the ship up and running again. That Rat compatriot of yours is unexpectedly clever and has enjoyed having free reign to wander the ship. I am surprised you wish to depart considering what you found."
"The Trihexa," Dorian risked lowering his voice as a group passed close to them. "We found it, we ACTUALLY found it. We have to contain it, seal it, do something to ensure it NEVER wakes up!"
"I think what is currently on it is more than enough for now," Odin tried to reassure him. "Ice isn't the only thing keeping it from moving. Just from a glance, the sheer number of magic surrounding it is off the charts. With those tens of thousands of magical circles and who knows what else, anything we do would be like dropping a bucket into the ocean and expecting that to change the sea level. I don't even recognize most of them, Yahweh certainly had his secret knowledge. If he weren't dead, I'd need to have a word with him about that."
"NO ONE else can know," his hands trembled as he thought what to do next. "If even one of them turns out to be another traitor…"
"We've already blocked off the portal as best we can," Odin laid a hand on Dorian's shoulder, sensing the tension and paranoia wracking his brain at what he had seen. "We may be unable to close it so securely again, but only those who saw it with us know, the rest are told that what is inside is too dangerous. No one shall be let in until we have a better picture of what we're dealing with."
"I want to stay, but…"
"Your silver rose takes priority, I understand son. If I knew someone was making moves on Freyja while I was gone…well, I would put the end of the world on hold too. Do what you need to, I have a feeling we'll be down here for quite a while."
"And Indra? He's the only one who saw it that I wish hadn't. I don't like the way he looks at me."
"Indra is bent on discovering the secrets of this place, it'll keep him off your back for the time being. We won't enter that portal without telling you, I promise. With Diehauser keeping him in check and everyone else working together quite well, you have nothing to worry about."
Not far…
"A wonderful performance, I almost believed for a moment I was truly about to die. Good thing it is so difficult to tell you even used that special ability of yours, isn't it? I doubt you could even have negated my power if you had wanted to, that pesky need to understand it being such a bother."
"Just keep your word," Diehauser spoke in low voices to the darkness in the chamber. "Both you and the Lord Lucifer can give me what I want?"
"But of course, knowledge of those responsible as well as a means to enact your vengeance. I had intended to deliver one of the major players to you on a silver platter, but alas his daughter managed to free him while I was indisposed. Nevertheless, he was only one of those major players. Keep them busy, guard this prize your alliance has earned, and I'll stay in the shadows preparing until all is ready."
"You can survive among these beings?"
"They speak in only one voice, but I made sure to plant the seeds of discord almost two decades ago. I have allies among the darkness." To prove his point, Moloch's shape molded into the shadows with many eyes appearing from his body looking nearly indistinguishable from the others they had encountered.
"And you do not wish to enter that portal you worked so hard to open?"
"Entering it now would avail me nothing. I got them to open the door, but those children were…stronger than they should have been." Moloch gritted his teeth, the first true frustration the older devil had ever seen in him. He was slightly twitching, and even smacked the side of his head quickly as if to silence something only he could hear. "Adjustments must be made to the plan, and when that time comes, I know I can rely on you, correct?" Diehauser solemnly nodded. "Excellent, but don't look so dour. Before this is over, your precious Cleria will be able to rest knowing those who wronged her are dead."
The darkness within the forgotten city grows silent for the meanwhile as the protection of the Old Goddess settles over the Grand Expedition. With the Beast of the Apocalypse itself discovered within its ancient prison, have they truly prevented its awakening seen by Dorian? Despite so many uncertainties, the Crossroad's Leader returns to the surface to ensure the safety of the woman he loves and, unknowingly, to prepare for the news sure to come from their friends in Romania. With this conclusion to the opening act of the Underwater City, I will be taking a brief hiatus to rest and recuperate before jumping into Romania. As always, until then I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D
