I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
Grigori was on full alert as the Alliance forces prepared their bases for the possibility of an attack. Tight security measures were taken as those who could fight prepared their equipment for the possibility of a fight.
Yet, even with this in the minds of many, the residents of Grigori remained calm, as panic wouldn't help anyone at this point.
Especially not the central dragon of this story.
He felt a weird sensation he couldn't shake off. As Ddraig traverses the streets of Grigori, he feels as if something has taken place, but he has forgotten all about it.
No matter how hard he tried to remember, the memories wouldn't return to him.
"It has to be something important. It hurts, and I'm not the only one. Yukime also felt this, but she couldn't figure it out." Ddraig said to himself as he stopped before the doors to Azazel's family's home. He raises his right hand before knocking on the door several times.
"Coming!" A voice screamed from within the residence.
A second later, the smiling fallen angel, Shemhazai, opened the door. "Welcome. We were expecting your visit. Come inside." The fallen angel was wearing a purple apron, and the scent of cinnamon covered every inch of his body.
"Thank you for receiving me," Ddraig said as he entered. Once inside, his eyes were welcomed to a cozy and wooden home. The walls were covered with photographs of Azazel, Shemhazai, Vali, and a mysterious woman whom he could only identify as the young daughter's deceased mother.
"Vali! Ddraig is here. Come down." Shemhazai shouts as he approaches the stairs.
"I'll be there in just a second, Shem-mom," Vali replies.
Shemhazai shakes his head. "When will she learn that I'm just her father as much as Azazel? Is it wrong for a man to wear an apron?" The fallen angel asks as he turns to face Ddraig.
The dragon shakes his head. "I don't think she calls you that because of what you wear. It is likely because of how you act. Mothers tend to be the ones who remind children to do their homework or stay home with them in most households."
"But come on, if Azazel were the one in charge of cooking, Vali wouldn't get balanced nutrition. That brother of mine will likely just let her eat chips and burgers all day." Shemhazai argues. "And let her play around all day while not caring much about her homework. We need to balance her life and be proper parents when necessary."
The fallen angel turns to a photo that shows the trio—back when it was just Dianne and the two fallen angels, back when they were happy.
"... You still think about her," Ddraig says, seeing the saddened expression on his face.
"How can I just forget about a woman like her? She marked our lives with a joy and peace that we didn't think possible. Azazel and I didn't feel jealous of each other when we were with her. We just connected with her on a deeper level. It felt right; she gave us many memories to stay with us for eternity." Shemhazai turns to him. "Your brides will likely figure that out once you live together long enough. There's no need to fight for who gets the time with you. You share and give affection amongst each other while working things out peacefully."
Ddraig scratches his side. "I know it will happen, but it might take time. The beginning is bound to be rough."
"Nobody said having multiple brides was going to be easy." Shemhazai's eyes turn to a photo of Vali. "I hope she has no problems finding someone as an adult. If anything, I would prefer that she finds someone willing to keep her safe and away from her darker desires."
"Patricide?" Ddraig asks with a low voice.
Shemhazai nods as he looks at the stairs momentarily before speaking. "We talked to her about Athena's training, and her eyes brightened for all the wrong reasons. What about Tosca? Is she joining the training?"
Ddraig shakes his head. "We don't have a clear answer from her. She's reflecting on the pros and cons. To tell you the truth, I'm not fully on with the idea, but I see the possible benefits. Tiamat enjoyed being in charge, but maybe it would be better if someone less lenient with her took over."
"Athena will likely grind both of them into dust. I told Vali that she shouldn't expect a happy experience with her as a master."
"I can't imagine a wonderful experience if the legends about the Amazonian training regimes are true."
The two males felt a cold sensation running through their backs as they tried to imagine such regimes.
"Hey, I can do it. I won't run away from Lady Athena and her regime." A voice said.
The pair turned to the stairs only to find an annoyed Vali crossing her arms defiantly. One of her arms was transformed into its dragon form.
The jewel on said arm shone before Albion's voice was heard. "You two should put more faith in my partner. She's an incredible host when compared to many others."
Ddraig and Shemhazai sight.
"Nice to see you two," Ddraig says.
Vali remains a bit annoyed but decides to be formal. She climbs to the end of the stairs before shaking Ddraig's hand. "Nice to see you walking around, Ddraig. Albion kept talking about meeting you. It got a bit annoying."
"Hey, I don't get the freedom to move around as I please. It's not as if I can take over and drag your body around," Albion says as the jewel shines even more. "You seemed not to be in full health, Ddraig. Are you sure about walking with that cane?"
Ddraig waves it off. "I'll be alright. I might not fight anytime soon, but I can still get around. I'll be too depressed if I stay locked and bound to a bed all of the time."
Vali nodded as she heard his reason. "I'd hate it if I had to stay in the intensive care wing for weeks to no end." The young girl scratches her chin as she examines his face. "Have you heard anything from Lady Yukime? Shem-mom has stayed quiet about the theme. I only heard that she was injured on a mission."
Ddraig smirks. "That's a bit surprising. I didn't expect you to be so concerned about Yuki."
"Yuki? Since when have you called her by a nickname?" Shemhazai raises his eyebrow with interest.
"Well, we went on a mission together, and I was surprised to hear that she, of all agents, would be injured. Her abilities make her practically untrackable to enemies." Vali claims.
"... No ability is invisible, Vali. Even those with strong abilities can fall by making small mistakes." Albion adds.
Ddraig nods. "Is as he said. No ability is invisible; even the most experienced agents can make mistakes. Yuki is injured, but she is alive and awake. I was with her from the previous night until this morning. She will be back on the field once she's completely healed."
"Really?" Vali asks.
"Yes. She's no longer in danger. Azazel, Raphael, and their team did a fantastic job. She might get a scar or two but won't have any other complications. I was able to sleep at peace, knowing that she wasn't in danger anymore." Ddraig admits as he recalls the peaceful night he enjoyed while embracing each other.
Shemhazai noticed the expression on his face as he spoke about Yukime's status. "... Did you finally say yes to her?"
"Eh?" Vali turns to Ddraig with a questioning look.
Ddraig scratches his head with a silly expression. "It's not as if I'm trying to hide it, but we only made it official last night."
"Congrats on another bride," Albion says with an approving voice. "I'm glad to see that your family is growing. I'm glad to hear that it is going well. I'm a bit excited to see how your future children will look. Although Tosca has inherited a lot of you, I remain curious about the uniqueness of your future children. A child between you and Tiamat is bound to be a strong dragon. Maybe even someone that could match Vali."
Ddraig smiles before his head hurts as he tries to recall the mysterious "dream" that plagued his mind. His heart hurt as he couldn't clearly remember the dream. "... Albion…. I have a bit of a concern."
"A concern? What is this about?" The Vanishing Dragon asks.
"Let's take a seat before we talk. Shemhazai, can you get us something to drink?" Ddraig asks.
"Sure." Shemhazai rushes to the kitchen while Ddraig and Vali sit on the wooden table nearby.
After a few moments, the fallen angel returns with three glasses of a mysterious pink juice.
Ddraig took a sip and found it not too sweet, which was perfect for him.
Vali took a sip before setting the glass to the side. "Do you want to start?"
"... This morning, I awoke with the feeling of forgetting something too important. My mind is still trying to recall all the pieces of my dream from the previous night. A dream that brought me joy while also offering some sadness. I try to recall what I saw, but my memories are blurry and almost too distant to recall easily." Ddraig admits.
"... What can you recall?" Shemhazai asks with a concerned voice.
"Yuki, Tiamat, Ereshkigal, Tosca, Gasper, Gabriel, Shiva, and Ophis were present. We were concerned about something we couldn't understand. We met a group… whose faces I can't recall. I can't even recall their names or what they said, but it made me happy to speak to them and a bit confused. I don't know why, but I felt glad about meeting those strangers, and so did everyone else." Ddraig continues.
"A mysterious dream, you say? What would be the problem? Dreams are just illusions and fake visages created by our minds. Some dreams have meaning while others are creations we have little control over." Albion explains as he tries to ease his former rival's mind.
Ddraig shakes his head. "That's the thing. Yuki had a similar dream, but neither of us can recall all the pieces. Dreams have meanings, and this one might be one that I shouldn't ignore. It might hold something that can affect our lives."
"Ddraig, it was just a dream. Sharing a dream does seem weird, but it might just be that. Don't become obsessed with whatever you saw in that dream. The present and future matter, not the weird dream of the week. We both know you have no time to waste on mysterious dreams. Shemhazai told me that a certain Shinto fool wants to fight you." Albion says while Vali looks concerned.
"... I barely learned that he sent me threats and formal duel invitations. Tia has been keeping them away from me. Likely to protect me." Ddraig answers as he sees no need to hide it.
"Good for her. You have no business fighting in that state. I might not have eyes of my own, but I can tell that you shouldn't fight anyone at the moment, especially someone who is determined to cut you into pieces. You need to prioritize your safety now. Not the wants of someone with a vendetta." Albion continues.
His words surprise Shemhazai and Vali, as neither expected Albion to be the one to object to the idea of fighting.
"Are you sure about this? I thought you would say that he should fight anyone who dares to challenge Ddraig," Vali asks, glaring at her draconic arm. "Are you Albion?"
A chuckle is heard from within the jewel. "You doubt me? You need to have some hope in my words. Have I ever told you to fight Ddraig?"
Vali shakes her head.
"I was surprised to learn that he was free from his 'prison' and even got himself a new body. I'll admit that choosing to end our rivalry hurts, but I won't let it define our connection. We remained equals, and even if I never got to fight him again, I would be fine with it. To me, this dumbass is someone important. My equal, my friend, my reason for being who I am. Ddraig was the one who brought me out of my shell and pushed me to become the Vanishing Dragon that I'm known for. I can't ever hate him, and now that he has found something that he cherishes, I want him to be happy. I want Ddraig to continue to live and grow even stronger because he is the only one I will acknowledge as my equal." Albion says with a tone that denotes his admiration and connection with Ddraig.
"Albion…. You're a sweetheart." Vali jumps in as she caresses the jewel.
"Stop it. I'm not a pet. You better not cry, Ddraig. Nobody has died for tears to run down your eyes. Save those for when someone does pass away." Albion adds while trying to sound completely unaffected. "Now, do you have time to play a few rounds of Shogi? I heard that you have been practicing against your future in-law."
A vein pops up in Ddraig's face as such words reach his ears. "That boy will get my blessing when he can strike me down."
"Oh, that's the rival I know. Vali, you better follow my lead. I expect full collaboration to defeat this overprotective father," Albion says.
"Yes, my general." Vali jokes.
"I'll bring the game," Shemhazai said.
It would be a long series of games that would continue until 2:30 PM.
Several hours later.
As Vali and Shemhazai saw the Welsh Dragon off, the young girl couldn't keep her questions hidden for much longer.
"Hey Albion, you care about Ddraig?"
"I do maybe more than about my safety."
"... Do you love him?"
"I wouldn't say that love is the right word to define my feelings regarding Ddraig. You must understand that he is my reason for existing, my driving force. I admire and respect him but don't have such feelings for him as Tiamat and the others do. He's someone that I chased after as I sought to match him. He is someone I would follow into any battlefield, enjoy facing, and still want to protect…. I doubt I would recover if I ever lost sight of him."
"Sounds complicated to describe, but I can understand some of it. He's your precious friend."
"Nope, he's more important than a friend. Friendships can end, but what Ddraig and I have surpasses even death itself."
"Eternal rivals until the very end. I can see why it got so bad. Neither of you set boundaries."
"We were too young to think about the consequences. Now, he's all grown and has something precious to care for. I'm happy for him, and if it is in my power, I want to protect him during this stage of his new life. Ddraig gave me all his youth; his first life, until the very end, was mine. His second life belongs to those he cares for, but I know I will always be a part of him."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I'm likely the reason he was scared. He likely saw my demise in that dream."
"Demise? But you're dead."
"I do lack a body, but my soul remains. He likely saw a dream in which my soul is no more."
"... That… losing you might be too much even for me." Vali sounded scared as she imagined losing Albion.
"Oh, is someone scared about losing their partner?"
"Don't tease me. You're already a part of my life. We're stuck with each other, and without you, I doubt I could fight on my own."
"... You're stronger than you think, Vali. The sacred gear doesn't define who you are and who you'll be in the future. If you were to lose me and the sacred gear by some miracle, you shouldn't let it bring you down. You have many tools besides the sacred gear…. But in case I ever disappear, I want you to promise me something."
"What kind of promise?"
"A promise that I want you as the last host of the sacred gear that is my prison to keep after my demise. I want you to stand by the side of the Welsh Dragon until the very end."
"You want me to stay with him?"
"That is my only wish. Stand by his side and support him in any way you can. The stronger he grows, the more allies he'll need. If I can't do it, I want someone else to take that spot."
"That's rather… cute of you to say, but it might be impossible for me. I don't know how long I'll stay alive."
"Foolish girl, time won't prevent you from keeping our promise. You're half devil/half-human; your lifetime is at least five centuries long, and if you keep sacrificing parts of your body for more power, you might stop being a hybrid and end up as an artificial dragon. Does the idea of becoming a dragon don't appeal to you?"
Vali scratches her cheek as she reflects on the possibility. "I'm still not sure about it. I enjoy being strong, but I never said I wanted a reptilian body."
"You keep sacrificing parts. An arm, your lungs, what's next? Your heart?"
"I.. need the power, and having better lungs is great. Is only for power."
"Keep telling yourself that. Anyway, just promise me you'll protect him if it comes to that. I gave up on ever escaping this prison, and if I do meet my demise, I ask that you keep our promise. If you keep the promise, I will do my best to aid you until the end."
"I thought you were doing that already?"
"Vali, I'm being serious about this. I only need this one thing from you."
Vali sights as she reflects on this so-called promise. She couldn't deny the reality; she would likely continue sacrificing her body for more power. Letting go of her human and devil self with each exchange until none of it remained.
She didn't hate the idea, but now Albion was asking her for one promise, and she didn't know if she had what it took to keep up.
"...Wouldn't it be easier if I just helped you to obtain a body of your own?"
The girl can hear the dragon chuckle. "You know what happened for Ddraig to escape his prison. I will never ask you to put your life at risk to give me a body; I gave up on that idea. Nobody will applaud my return if it came at your sacrifice. If I fall, you will remain my successor. I'll give you everything I have regarding power if you keep the promise. Take time to think about it. We have time to agree."
The jewel on her arm turned off as Albion went to sleep, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Vali said nothing, but Albion's words remained in the back of her mind as a somber symbol of what could happen in the not-so-distant future. "The successor of the Vanishing Dragon…"
A "dream" had just planted the seeds of a future that felt not so distant as the gears of time were affected by an event that didn't occur.
Around that time, in another part of Grigori.
The troops of the Alliance made way for the visitors who had just arrived at their doorstep with a young-looking dragon dressed in a silver uniform at the lead.
A tall white canine sacred beast continued to look around as she counted the seconds until she could meet "Him."
"... You need to be ready. What you'll see didn't bring me joy." The dragon said as he pushed forward.
"... I… know." The white beast said with a somber expression.
"Your holiness. Are you sure you want to see him in such a state?" An older dark elve said as he turned to face the beast. He was wearing what seemed to be a purple hunter's uniform, which contained several badges akin to a general's.
"Brother, we need to see it with our own eyes to understand the extent of what we're facing. As the descendants of the leaders of our realm's leaders, we can't do a half-assed job. Our assessment will determine if our people will join the Alliance or remain neutral." A female light elf said although she had no mouth with which to speak. She wore a uniform similar to her companion's, but her uniform was green instead of purple.
"Let us see my mate and what has happened to him since I sealed myself," the white beast said as she gathered the strength to face what awaited her.
Several minutes passed before the group descended into a containment area plagued by researchers and nurses. Several guards were also present for extra security, as the 'patient' inside wasn't one they could take lightly, even after sedating him at all times.
Two heavy metallic doors stood between them and the mate of the sacred beast. They could hear the deep growls coming from behind the door.
The dragon turns to the beast. "Sif, as your brother-in-law, I feel ashamed of not finding him before this got so far. I might have prevented this if I had been more active in my search. I'm sorry."
"... Midg, show me," Sif said as her claws slightly scratched the metallic floor beneath her.
Midg nods as he signals the guards to open the doors. The guards move to the side as the metallic doors are unsealed.
Tense seconds go by until the eyes of all of those present witness the horrendous sight before them.
"... Loki….." Even while under strong sedatives, his will to slay his creator remained strong. The half-dead legendary Wolf Fenrir was being immobilized by several metallic claws that resisted his tainted blood's effects.
Researchers and nurses continuously exchanged bandages while applying different medicines to help the wolf heal.
His eye sockets remained covered in bloody bandages, but even without eyes, he knew exactly where everyone was located. His senses and body might have been weakened due to the sedatives, but his bloodlust remained unbroken and as insane as on the day in which he was brought into Grigori for treatment.
"Loki…." The wolf said as he tried to move his body with no results.
"Fenrir, my love." Sif approached the wolf with visible distress as she witnessed his state. "How could he do this to you? His creation."
"Be careful about touching him, Ms Sif. His blood is hazardous." A nurse said as she stopped Sif from touching Fenrir.
This comment caused her even more pain as she wasn't even able to touch her beloved mate after so long.
Midg shakes his head as he tries to contain his anger at his creator. A fallen angel approaches him with a full report.
"We have cleaned most of his injuries and treated the most severe ones which threatened his life. We're trying to remove the dangerous components from his blood before we seek to start with the surgeries. We have no organs that can fit his needs, but our cybernetics will give his sight and missing leg back. We might also need to replace other organs depending on the results of cleaning his tainted blood." The fallen angel says.
"Were the samples of my own poison not helpful?" Midg asks as he reads the report.
The fallen angel shakes his head. "They were, but your brother's is far more dangerous. It's killing him from within. While you are unaffected by your own poison, Fenrir's is a double-edged sword that can likely kill him. His body won't endure using it as it doesn't seem like his natural power."
"... That bastard was trying to fuse our powers into a single weapon. My clones likely don't match his needs—the so-called Jormungandr Series. Each of us is just another tool for him. Listen, try to seal that power off. Fenrir shouldn't possess it to begin with. Let me know if anything changes; I'll be a call away." Midg tells the researcher.
"Yes, Sir Midg." The researcher walks away.
The elves approached Midg with concerned expressions.
"That…. Is he really Fenrir?" The male elf asks.
"Yes… my own brother turned into a mindless beast obsessed with killing our creator. I'll do anything to help him heal and return to his family." Midg's eyes wander towards Sif, who's still crying as she remains before the blind Fenrir, who can only repeat the name of their enemy.
"... Legends about the mischievous god Loki have been passed down in our realm. There's nobody who hasn't heard about his multiple crimes and actions against the realms. I couldn't believe that you, such a famous dragon, were a creation of Loki." The female elf says.
"... He created my former body. He gave me life and a soul, but he's no father to me or Fenrir. He created us as weapons, and we sought our freedom to choose our own paths. Loki won't stop until we eliminate him. His plans will threaten not only the Alliance but also your realm as well. If he was able to do this to his own creation." Midg points his finger at Fenrir. "You can expect something worse for your realm. I know elves have remained neutral and isolated from the problems of other realms, but I ask once more for your collaboration because we're all in danger. They already try to attack Ra's realm based on the information I have just received. Their next target might be your home."
Both siblings look at each other before they make a decision. Midg had reached their home as an ambassador of the Alliance. He pleaded and presented the case of Alliance before them for many weeks without backing away for a single day.
Day and night, pleading for collaboration from the elven people.
Now, after so long, his efforts had finally paid off.
As they place a hand over their chest, they speak in unison.
"As the descendants of our Elven Monarchs, as generals of Alfheim, as children of the sun and the moon, and as representatives of our people, we understand the reasons for the Alliance's claims. We have seen enough proof to consider the danger that Loki and his allies might present for our people. We accept the Alliance's invitation on behalf of our leaders and ask for your assistance in protecting our home." The siblings say.
Midg kneels as he bends his head. "I sincerely thank you for listening to the pleas of this dragon for so long. I promise as an official agent that the Alliance won't allow Alfheim to fall victim to any who dare to threaten your homeland."
The siblings also kneel as they seek to show that neither side is more important than the other.
"We will do our best to aid our allies in protecting the realms." The siblings continue before turning their eyes towards Sif. "For her sake and that of her children, who are sacred to us, we'll fight to stop Loki from ever achieving his goals."
Midg nods. "To stop any more tragedies like this from ever happening."
And with the saddened cries of Sif, Alfheim joined the Alliance, thus cementing a turn in history as the neutral faction was taking a side in the fight to come.
Countdown: ….. 4
Notes of the author:
Facts about Alfheim and their people.
Alfheim is a relatively peaceful realm that has remained neutral to outside wars or problems since the beginning. Although its creators are Ymir and other gods, the Elven people remain deeply attached to their Monarchs instead of the gods. The Elven Monarchs are Titania and Oberon, who continuously follow a cycle of death and rebirth under the realm's celestial bodies.
Queen Titania and King Oberon die every 500 years; at the same time, deep within the Elven realm, two new sacred cocoons hatch in the forests isolated from any civilization. One cocoon hatches under the sun's bright light, and one is blessed under the light of the multiple moons.
The location of the cocoons is random, but the sacred beasts of the realm will guard the area, driven by the realm's will, while also secretly supervising the newly born monarchs.
This leads to one monarch always representing one of the two races—a sun king and moon queen or the opposite.
These new monarchs will inherit the memories of their previous selves before searching for each other and making their way toward the Elven capital as a united pair. A single monarch will never arrive at the capital.
Nobody can interfere, not even the sons and daughters of previous incarnations, as the monarchs will find their way to their people with their own efforts. The trip can take months or, in some cases, up to two years as the pairs traverse the extended forest while searching for each other without help. Species within the forest will offer no mercy and see the young monarchs as nothing else but prey. This ritual is called the Passage of the Crown, as it demonstrates that the new king and queen are the legitimate monarchs of the crown. Once they reach the capital, they will be crowned and take their thrones, while the sons and daughters of previous incarnations served as generals and advisors to the new monarchs.
The monarchs will never leave the realm, and if one were to be killed, its counterpart would also die as a new cycle is forced to begin.
Sons and daughters born from couples will never be acknowledged as princes or princesses, as neither is destined to hold the crown. They will be respected and raised as members of the royal family, but their authority will always fall second to their parents. Becoming an advisor, minister, or general is not enforced on the children, but it is rare to see them walk a path that doesn't involve the family.
It is known that the sons and daughters of the monarchs will outlive their parents, but it is also common for them to remain by the side of their parents' future incarnations as if they never left. They even acknowledge new incarnations as their parents, while said incarnations acknowledge them as sons and daughters.
Grandchildren hold even less authority, and on many occasions, they distance themselves once they become adults as they depart to write their paths. It is rare for grandchildren to take office or remain around the royal family once they have become adults; this is mostly due to personal preference.
No king or queen has been assassinated in ages, and there has never been a dispute within the family on official records, but legends do claim that at least once, a traitor did commit the crime of slaying the monarchs.
This traitor has been erased from the official records based on legends. The gender, name, age, or status of this mysterious individual has been a mystery that remains nothing more than a legend.
The number of current generals and members of the main government is 24 on Elven's official records; this doesn't match the official number of living kids from current or previous monarchs, which should be around 27, nor the unofficial number, which claims that there are at least 28.
It is rare for Elves to leave their homeland, but cases in which that happens usually result in mixed feelings among families, including the royal family. Some understand the ones who leave the realm, while others feel betrayed by the departures.
Yet contrary to outsiders' expectations, children born from marriages and relationships with non-elven people are widely welcomed back into Alfheim. Racism against others is uncommon, unlike in the Dwarven race; even the Elven monarchs welcome children from their long-forgotten children into the realm.
'Knowing that our brethren can settle down and procreate even outside our homeland gives us peace of mind'- Moon King Oberon the I.
'Our blood runs through them even if they don't share all of our characteristics. Welcome the children of those who sought a future beyond our borders.' -Sun Queen Titania the I.
These statements have remained steadfast within their society and are crucial to one of the main laws within the realm.
Besides all that, Elves dislike Dwarves and Asgardians, but this mostly extends from their diverging points of view. The permanent ban on mining operations from outsiders within Elven territory has also annoyed the Dwarfs for millennia as they sought to explore the mysteries beneath the Elven ground.
This ban has also affected Asgardian efforts in terms of resource gathering for war efforts.