"Godwyn, I don't mind, but…" I glance towards Lansy who spots the cutest of frowns as she tries to put to words whatever troubles her. The silver-haired beauty being in so close proximity to me probably doesn't help matters. I know for a fact that having her so close to me on one side isn't doing me any favors.

"Yes, Lansy?"

"Why have you thrown a sheet over us?"

"Do not question my Lord's reasons, overgrown lizard."

Lansy lets out an affronted gasps as I continue to struggle between maintaining my focus, what with Lansy close to me on one side and, the equally beautiful Tiche on the other…while also doing my part in maintaining the technique Lansy taught me, and whom even now I can do little beyond the basics, truly, if this the Dragonlord's phasing trick as I suspect he is even more impressive than I thought.

"How dare you, you…you cat! And I'm not questioning my barbarian's choices merely trying to understand is all!"

Now I could explain, but, I suspect my best choice is to continue maintaining the technique as we slowly journey further and further down the sewers in search of my brothers. Veiled under Lansy and Tiche's combined weavings and following my Knife's direction and…a distant vague sensation of…family.

I could explain.

But I somehow doubt my girls would be all that enthused to learn that the main reason I decided to throw a semi-translucent sheet over us was due to wanting to play-pretend and in a sense re-enact a scene from those bedtime wizard stories contained within my, by comparison, recently unlocked memories.

Yes, best keep that part to myself.

For one the wizard hero was accompanied by friends of both sexes, and I have little interest to mediate the ensuing argument as to whom is whom in such a scenario.

"My Prince…sometimes you are…well…"

You choose, or rather forced yourself upon me, gremlin.

"And I'm not letting you go! You are mine~! Occasional childishness and all!"

Can I get a refund? I fear my Outer gremlin arrived broken.

"Moouuu! G-godwyn you meanie—"

I jest, gremlin. Much as I don't like being forced into this, I suspect that amongst all your 'siblings'? You are the best.

"…e-eh~?! My Prince did y-you just?! Big Sis was right! Constant annoyance wins the day! Although, I fail to see what 'carting some man named Mario' has to do with anything—"

Shush.

As we continue our descent, I find my good mood difficult to maintain, for the surrounding corridors filled with grime, filth, mutants and all manner of things best not mentioned fills me with rage.

Not at mother.

Even if the rational part of understands that she shares part of the blame.

But rather, more so at the filthy Hornsent whose curse affected my brothers so, and, again, whose curse no doubt triggered in my dearest mother, memories best left forgotten.

Memories which I shall never inquire about.

I crunch my teeth against one another hard enough for my gums to hurt.

The Hornsent will die.

I shall stripped them of the immortality fostered upon them and they shall know torments the likes of which will make my older brother's 'tender mercies' seem like a lover's touch.

And out of their tortured screams, if I haven't managed to already, I will extract the means of shattering this curse. For my brothers deserve to be free. To be whole.

"My Lord?"

Ah, as expected, of course Tiche would notice something.

"It's nothing, my dear. Merely some bad memories."

"If someone dared harm you just—"

Ruffling her hair I chuckle as she calms down. "No need for that, my dear, and besides, I do think we've arrived?"

"H-how—"

Again, her eyes widening cause me to chuckle and ruffle Tiche's hair again.

"I could say it's because I noticed you slowed down but, the truth is—"

"Godwyn."

I turn and smile at the voice emerging from a dark opening near the wall. A voice which only half of me has heard in another life.

"Brother," I whisper with delight and as a second even bigger figure emerges quickly amend my statement while my lips hurt from joy. "Brothers!" I gasp and step forth, heedless of everyone tensing. Spreading my arms as I do. "You too can feel it, can you not! Tis the truth! I greet you my dearest brothers," I say and if my voice breaks some, I care not. "For I have not seen you in oh so long…"

And it is the truth.

With each step we've been taking, guided by my loyal blade to this decrepit hovel unbefitting of my brothers. I could feel it.

A tiny hum.

A pulse.

In the back of my skull, growing stronger.

Like a thin brain of light, a string composed of radiance and growing thicker with each step. And looking at them, even if not noticeable at first glance.

I know them to be mine siblings.

The contours of the jaw here.

The mistrustful set of Morgott's eye there. Weary but concealing a hint of hope.

Mohg's silly smile one sported so often by myself…

And speaking of Mohg.

"Brother!"

The man who towers over me, a rare experience to be sure, rushes forward.

"Mohg! Wait—"

But heedless of my grouchy little brother's biting tone, Mogh wraps me in a tight embrace. And I reciprocate, even as I feel tiny bites against my skin from my brother's undeserved curse. The horns barely managing to pierce my flesh.

I care not.

"Oh how I've dreamed of this…" I whisper and, pretty soon, Mohg pulls back, his eyes, and what a joy it is to see him still have both, glistening. But then he gasps. "Oh. Oh no! Brother forgive me!" and turns to the wavering Morgott. "Brother quick, your healing magic—"

But with a chuckle and a gentle pat I wave Mogh's worries away as I take a step back, and with barely a breath and an instant of focus, the mosquito bites close up.

"Fret not, brother, it wasn't even that deep of a bite," I say, patting his arm and then, glance at Morgott.

Whose eyes widen and he tenses, sensing what's to come.

"No. Don't you—Brother, don't you dare!" he growls but I rush forward and grab him in a crushing hug as well, one which, despite his grumbling, the man returns with deceptive speed.

"Apologies my Lady, but alas I know you not. Unlike fair Lady Tiche here."

I can feel Lansy's ego swelling three sizes in that instant.

Something which needs to be swiftly rectified.

Letting go of my reluctant brother, I turn.

"See?! Your brother recognizes my magnificence! Why can't you and Fortie do the same?"

"Because you are an airhead, you dumb lizard," Tiche says with a disinterested tone, examining her knife.

And Lansy gasps, offended. "H-how dare you!"

My deep chuckles draw everyone's eyes and Lansy pauses mid-tirade.

"Ahh, to see you both in fine health. It relieves me greatly, dearest brothers," I say with a smile. "And I believe all of us have much and more to share with one another. For I believe you are owed some explanations and what help I can give."

Looking at one another, after a short while the twins nod, and Morgott jerks his head towards the deep dark pipe leading Mother's knows where from which they came.

"Come."

I follow without hesitation.

They are my brothers after all.

My heart feels lighter than it has in years…decades. In either of my lives.

And so, as soon as we make it back to the surface and to one of my houses, Tiche bowing and leaving to see to her other duties…

"Lansy," I murmur making the girl squeak and turn nervous eyes towards me.

"W-what?! I didn't do anything! I—"

Raising a finger to her lips, her soft, velvet like lips causes her to inhale a breath and stop. Before with a cute frown and a mischievous glitter she licks my finger.

Making me chuckle and, pulling the finger back, I silence her again as I lick the finger.

"Mmh, an indirect kiss~"

Lansy's eyes widen and she whimpers.

"But would the real deal not be better I wonder?" I purr and step closer, gently pulling her unresisting form in an embrace, her soft form squirming against me, molding herself against me even as said squirming only fills me with a burning need. "Let's find out~"

And before she can do more than open her mouth, I swoop low, my lips gently meeting hers and as she draws a shuddering breath the tip of my tongue meets her own, jostling it awake and Lansy moans as her arms clump around me, holding me tight.

That's okay.

More than okay.

I don't intend to let her go either.

"Ah!" gasping, she breaks our liplock, strands connecting our lips and stretching as she pulls back some. "Godwyn, what? What's this…You meanie…I can't take this anymore…" she growls cutely before, with narrowed eyed steals another long kiss from me and as we come up for air again I chuckle.

"And I don't intend to to tease you anymore oh princess."

"D-do you mean. Then, are you finally going to—"

"Oh yes," I say with a nod. Pulling Lansy tighter for an instant.

"Eep!"

"Its time for me to claim my princess."

"Eep!"

"Lansy."

"Yes?"

I stare deep into her eyes, her glimmering eyes which have often featured in my dreams.

"Let me ask you again, for after this there's no going back, are you sure."

And my minx huffs. "Yes you big dummy! YES!"

"Then its settled," I growl, feeling her shudder against me. "You are mine."

"…I like the sound of that," she says, a small smile on her lips as she lowers her eyes and places her head on my chest, the sweet fragrance of her locks making me draw a deep breath and close my eyes.

"Godwyn?"

"Yeah?"

"Should I…will you…" opening my eyes, I can feel her nervous squirming as Lansy toys with the hem of her silver dress and I chuckle.

"Godwyn?"

"No, my princess, no," I say, shaking my head. "A princess deserves better than the uncontrollable lusts of a barbarian."

"…but I want the uncontrollable lusts," she murmurs causing me to chuckle and lift her up.

"Eep!"

"That comes later, you minx. Lansy, do you trust me?"

"Yes."

The quickness of her response makes me freeze for a second and judging by her victorious grin, she both saw it and liked my reaction.

But this time, her teasing…pleases me.

"Good," I say and, carefully shift my dragon, my princess, in my arms until I hold her in a bridal carry.

"Eh? What's this, Godwyn?"

Smiling down at her, I steal another kiss before replying to my flushed minx.

"A princess deserves something better than a common wench, wouldn't you say?" I ask and step towards the balcony.

"I don't understand…"

Smiling as I kick open the doors and carefully maneuver us outside, I glance at the distant Erdtree. Now truly a golden tree and bearing little to no signs of its origins actual.

"Lansy, you are going to be, you are the crown jewel of my collection. My horde," I say and she shudders, although the thin smile reveals her true feelings.

"Idiot…"

"And thus, I want this to be…special."

I step of the balcony.

"Eek! Godwyn you idi…ot?"

Waiting, I watch as Lansy blinks and gazes down. Where instead of the ground rushing to meet us, a small translucent Golden platform spreads under my feet, keeping us aloft.

"Eh? What?"

And I nod. "Unfortunately, I still haven't quite managed to crack the trick behind conjuring wings, but this? This, alongside my incomplete wings is adequate, no?" I say and hold my princess a tad tighter. "Hold tight, Lansy," I say and she nods.

"Ok," with her whisper and as I feel her soft arms hold fast I jump.

And do so again and again, a platform springing into existence under me each time my momentum starts to drop and soon, what had been distant is now close at hand.

"Godwyn, what are we doing here?" Lansy murmurs, clutching me almost nervously.

"This, my dear princess, is my favorite spot to gather my thoughts. My very own private retreat if you will," I say as with one last jump, I carry us to one of the Erdtree's bigger branches.

The Golden Radiance all around us.

"And while I normally come up here through different means, my princess deserves better, no?"

"Dummy."

I smile as I help my blushing dragon to her feet.

"This is my secret spot, Lansy, and now it is our secret spot," I say and as my woman's blush grows, a hunger fills me. "But now, time to fulfill my promise to you, I do believe someone called for a 'ravishing'~?"

Lansy whimpers even as her blush grows and, despite her trembling, she makes no move to step away.

"Please be gentle."

"But of course," I say with a nod, and stepping close, grab her dress and, with gentle kisses, undress my trembling lamb. Until at last she stands nude in all her glory.

"Wonderful," I growl, feeling my pulse quicken as I stare at Lansy's naked figure.

From her full lips, the long pale locks cascading down her back.

I lick my lips even as Lansy blushes and covers her breasts.

"No," I growl, as I gently hold her arms away. Leaving her full breasts capped by stiff pink nipples exposed to my hungry eyes. Breasts no less ripe and full that that of Mother's own.

While her flaring hips.

"Eek? G-godwyn, what are you doing?" she squeaks as I lower myself and take a deep sniff, drawing close to her glistening mound, the tuft covering her entrance soaked.

"Smells delicious."

"N-no. That's dirty, Godwyn, no!"

But I heed not her cries, as my arms sink into her backside's soft flesh and I pull my lips flush with her mound, partaking deep of her glistening nectar while Lansy howls as her fingers dig into my hair and she squirms and shudders, until her cute tummy rests against my head, Lansy gasping, bend over, and using me as support as I continue to taste her and tease her soaked thighs, planting kiss after kiss.

"W-what's this…Godwyn you meanie…"

Hearing, feeling her shuddering moaned words with her thighs wrapped around my head, I pause, and pull back, giving my princess a reprieve, even as the contact with her entrance has only served to further inflame my need.

My cock pulsing angrily, piercing through my lower armor and tenting my kilt.

But Lansy is mine, and I can endure something like this for so short a while.

With her taste on my lips, I carefully push her back a step, steadying her with one arm while with my other, I cast aside my garments throwing them aside and slowly starting to climb.

"Cute tummy." Planting kiss after kiss, eyes fixed with Lansy's own until at last I reach a nipple, and, proceed to tease it mercilessly, planting featherlight kisses before focusing on the surrounding area, massaging, kissing, licking.

Lansy squirming and trying to force my head, my lips, to her nipple but I resist.

Approaching, teasing, and as I reach.

Starting all over on its twin.

"Stop teasing meeeee!"

And I oblige, suckling on one of the peaked treasures at last. Growling with a deep hunger even as below my diamond hard dick rubs back and forth across Lansy's slick entrance. And then its twin. And back again before I let the abused tips rest as I continue my rise, planting more kisses, more marks displaying, marking her as mine and once again our lips meet.

Lansy all but melting against me and so, with barely any coaxing from me, she follows my slow descent to the ground, until I break our kiss and lay flat on the comfortable bark.

But the familiar warmth I pay no heed to.

The Golden soothing Radiance invisible to me for once.

For I have eyes only for Lansy, who, flushed, panting, sweaty straddles my thighs her glistening mound kissing my penis.

"G-Godwyn?" she asks with a tiny voice and I smile, reaching out with my arms and rubbing her soft thighs. The sensation filling me with need. But no, I can, will hold out for some time longer still.

"You set the pace, princess."

"Eh, but I thought—"

At her wide eyes I smile, it is a hungry smile.

"The beast you so crave comes later, my dear. But this? Lets make this something to remember, no?"

Biting her lip, Lansy gives me almost a shy nod. "Ok." and with a tiny voice lifts herself some, aligning her entrance with my tip and…

"Easy there, beautiful," I say, my arms gently but firmly on her sides, stopping her and holding her up at the first grimace. "You set the pace. We have all the time in the world."

With another small smile and a nod, I relax my grip and slowly, oh so slowly, tortuously so, she continues her descent until we are one.

"Good girl, there's a good girl," I murmur as I raise my torso and hug her, rubbing her soft back and inhaling her scent. Planting kisses as I do. Anything to distract me. To stop me from letting my inner barbarian claim what he so craves and ruin this. Ruin her.

But no. Lansy is mine.

And I protect my own.

Slowly, Lansy's breathing eases up and much to my relief, she starts to rock back and forth, drawing out a relieved hiss from my lips for her heat.

Her torturous unbearable heat and the velvet clingy embrace of her nether lips.

The rhythmic pulsing around my member.

A few moments more and I might very well have cracked.

Lansy moans, giggles, and throws her head, arches her back as we slowly increase her pace as she dictates and I tease and punish her cheeky breasts, all the while, her scent, her whimpers and her pulsing pussy drive me to my limit.

"Don't…"

"Mmh?" I blink as I let go of her nipple, Lansy's eyes filled with need the likes of which I've never seen from her before.

"Don't ever. Godwyn, don't ever leave me!"

Coaxing her trembling form close, I hug her close, plant kisses all over her head and body and at last, join our lips together before drawing momentarily apart and, moving my arms until our hands are joined, look deep into her eyes.

"Never, my love, you are mine, princess. We'll be together beyond the breaking of this world."

A sob, a giggle, and a moan leave my Lansy's lips and I grunt as her trembling form her tightness pushes me past my limits and we become one in truth.

Under the boughs of the Erdtree we make love without end.

The glow of the Erdtree, so near and yet so distant from him still.

As it bathes Ilirei's skin seeping from the open window, he feels none of the usual warmth accompanying the light, sees not the glow, or, in truth, the tree itself.

Instead, as he's done the days before, he keeps his eyes sharp, superhuman senses stretched to their utmost as he scans the nearby area to his Manor again and again. Hoping beyond hope.

And yet nothing still.

He doesn't bother emulating his brother again. As he did after he dealt with the rat. According to Godwyn's suggestion, the mania of the crowd and his own heart driving him to a desperate high, as he leaped from building to building, roof to roof in a desperate search until the sun rose again.

But of Nago, his precious, dear Nago, of her, he found no sign.

"Fine. Fine," he says with a hiss and with eyes partially shielded by unkempt hair, steps back. "The time has come."

Even if it's early.

Even if he, and everyone else are not quite prepared.

It will have to do.

For if his own senses, those of a 'mere' demigod are not enough.

If his own forces are not enough?

The nigh godlike body and sight of the Elden Lord will have to do. And with the entirety of Leyndell's army by his side, he'll ensure she is safe. And then, they can get to fixing this blasted realm. Root out the corruption infesting it whole. Starting from the very top.

There's been a chance.

Ever since Tiche descended these depths with her Lord most beloved by her side, the pleasure of the journey undimmed even by the irritant lizard accompanying them.

Her Godwyn's twin brothers have been…different. Less tense. No doubt his gift of two golden braids, weaved from his own locks had helped?

More welcoming, perhaps?

But this is not what troubles her.

There's been a chance.

The tunnels, the sewers and the filthy corridors full of seeping oozing unmentionables and whimpering howls emanating from deeper, darker junctions.

She knows them like the back of her hand by this point.

Knows which paths to travel, and which are best left avoided.

And, on the rare occasion she is forced to engage and utilize her hard won skills.

How to quickly dispatch even the mutated residents of this foul place.

But now.

As if on the cue of some unmentionable instinct her hand darts downwards and pulls free her knife. Clutching it firmly while her breath quickens in unconscious preparation as her eyes dart left and right under her hood.

Scanning the empty dimly lit corridor.

This is wrong.

Aside from the sound of a few cloudy drops leaving the ceiling and joining the dirty pools by her feet. The only sound Tiche can hear. Is her heartbeat in her ears.

This part of the sewers has never been this empty.

And if something can scare the omens, the mutants, the infected bloated rats, and other manner of monstrosities calling this place home.

She has to find her Lord's brothers and warn them. And then she has to inform her Lord—

What?

With a blink and before her waking mind can realize it, Tiche finds herself sinking into a deep stance, knife ready to either attack or defend.

Her body and its deeply ingrained instincts reacting before she can finish processing the sound of footsteps.

Footsteps that until now had been veiled from her.

Impossible!

Footsteps and at the junction up a ahead, a deep yellow glow which seems to increase with each heartbeat. A deeply revolting glow, accompanied by long drawn out moans and a woman…humming?

Indeed, scarcely a few seconds later, a woman turns the corner.

"Lady Nago?!"

The black-haired woman blinks, and as emaciated figures that bear only the faintest of resemblances to humanity also cross into view, Nago smiles.

The glow in the woman's eyes, similar to that of the creatures intensifying.

"Oh~? Why if it isn't one of the hypocrite slut's assassins~" The woman purrs and Tiche…

Tiche slides a step back. Her instincts screaming at her.

Screaming to stay away from the woman garbed in an indecent white 'robe' which reveals more than conceals and…

Leaves some revolting burn marks on display.

"Come now little knife, there's no need to fear," Nago purrs and stretches out an arm. "Let me help, let me take away the pain and the fear and everything else~"

Trembling, her other foot slides back as well.

And Nago's smile turns cruel.

"If you won't accept my love…"

Tiche barely manages to slice her knife upwards, seeking to slice the foolish madwoman's descending arm at the wrist.

"Oh?"

But instead, grunting as the force of the blow sinks her to one knee, she can but gaze with bewilderment.

For where her blade meets flesh, but a thin red line is drawn.

And the madwoman's flesh…

What had previously been an arm only vaguely resembles one now.

The bulging, writhing muscle, more at home on an octopus then a human, and with the hardness of steel and not flesh.

"Precocious," Nago trills and then, with Tiche barely managing to pull her blade away from the reforming hand.

The madwoman's other arm turns into something bloated, hard, covered by scales and Tiche only just manages to bring her knife across as an impromptu shield while from her half sunk position, push as much as she can backwards.

Reducing the force of the blow.

"Aaah!"

A pained cry nonetheless leaves her lips as her knife shatters and she flies backwards, still, even for that her training has prepared her.

Utilizing her muscles, her blood, and what little bits of ether she can. She rolls into the air, landing into a crouch with a deep grimace.

Tasting copper on her lips and cradling her bruised side as she prepares to meet the unnaturally strong madwoman in hand to hand—

Alecto's training has prepared her for much and more.

But not this.

Training, and a difference in skill can only amount so much for a difference in strength.

Tiche barely manages to rise her arms as with speed she'd only ever seen on a demigod, Nago blurs in front of her and quickly shatters Tiche's defense and body.

And then, as further insult to injury.

"Aaah!" the madwoman forms one of her arms into a fleshy spike, piercing her abdomen and hoisting her aloft.

"Don't struggle dear, it will all be over soon. The pain, the sadness, the sorrow…"

Through pained eyes, Tiche watches as more of the creatures shuffle towards their apparent leader.

And she knows that to remain here is death.

Death doesn't scare her.

Failing her Lord on the other hand?

That she very much can not accept.

But this woman this…thing is beyond her.

Alecto's training cannot help Tiche beat this.

But, Alecto's training can help her do this!

With a trembling, weak limb, Tiche's hand darts towards a pouch on her belt and—

"Oh?"

Jumping away with a pained yell, leaving bits of herself on the barbed red spike, Tiche throws a smoke bomb and, suppressing the pain through force of will and holding her belly with one arm.

Runs.

"You can't escape the inevitable, dear~"

She very much can.

She knows this place like the back of her hand. And indeed, after a few terse minutes, the howling creatures and their humming monster seem to give up the chase.

Tiche keeps running for a while longer yet, before her superhuman vitality is expended at last and, gasping, trembling, she slinks down beside a wall.

Just…a short rest…yes…

Foolish. This was foolish. With her injuries? She shouldn't have stopped, she knows what awaits her if she closes her eyes. And yet…now that she's stopped she can't find the strength to get up again.

"My Lord…" she will fail him.

No. NO!

And that's the worst of all. The one thing she can't accept. For Godwyn has long been the light in the dark for a young fearful girl, a girl shunned and mocked by her 'sisters'. And to her joy of joys, the demigod had proven to be everything she'd dreamed of and more.

And for Tiche to fail him now in such a crucial moment?

Perhaps Alecto had been right after all. Tiche is a failure that should never—

The heavy footsteps make her pause and blink, turning droopy eyes to her side and somehow she manages to find the strength for a pleading groan.

"Mmh, Godwyn…too early…come back…" I chuckle as with a ruffle through her silver-locks, I give one last kiss to my sleepy dragon, my clingy sleepy princess and I rise from the bed.

Admittedly, I suspected this might be the case, but, Lansy, after our first…coupling has become extremely clingy.

And in a similar manner to how repeated applications of my 'medicine' have not Lucia build any resistance. My knight still ending up a giggling happy mess, my cute dragon is no less clingy.

In fact, if anything, with each night we spend together she seems to turn more and more clingy and needy. But to her credit, only when we are in bed.

Mostly.

"Oh Lansy, what am I to do—"

Pausing, I frown, for the water filler glass on my desk…

Trembles.

"What—"

And then it hits, the slowly building pressure that I only now realize is the reason for my early awakening, snaps, like a balloon overly filled with water and the monstrous weight at last unveiled in full, slams down into me, making my eyes widen just as a roar which causes everything not bolted down to shake and rattle alongside my bones and gums, hits.

Lansy snaps awake with a terrified scream while outside, Leyndell seems to be draped in momentary shadow.

I rush towards the balcony throwing open the doors and step out.

While behind me, Lansy whimpers.

"No. No. NO!"

"Mother grant me strength…"

A dragon. A true dragon, bigger than Greyoll by far, swoops in around and lands outside Leyndell before pressing down with its front legs, caving in the walls as screams fill the air and panicked bells ring.

"Tremble mortals for the hour of twilight has come!" the dragon proclaims.

And spreading its massive wings, bathes Leyndell in shadow once more.