Royalrain20xx: Exactly, and now that the bad guys have the ability to revive the dead...killing every villain isn't an option since they can bring them back. Gasper is now strong enough to fight on the front lines ;). You got it, Balor's fragment merged with Gasper to become something new. You and me both when it comes to Euclid, knowing he's in the Roads somewhere and was able to get close enough to Fenrir unnoticed to get a piece of Dorian for his gear. They'll have to find out how he's doing that so he can't sneak into places he shouldn't be. As for Despoina, that's tricky as it is her physical body and soul from Elysium...but they did something so she doesn't recall her meeting Dorian and thus her change at Olympus before the end. We can only hope Dorian and Co. are prepared. Thank you for the review and kind words :) Hope you like what I have planned!

Kingpariah: That is QUITE the review, it really means a lot how in-depth you looked into my story :) I sent a full reply to you via PMs.

avenger3576: True on all accounts ;)

OBSERVER01: He really is, unleashing his full power makes him pretty strong and I'm surprised canon doesn't show it more. Time for the battle of family XD

fanficcyberman: That could be a really fun Halloween idea...Gasper as Alucard and Koneko as Seras with water balloons for fake breasts (Or maybe using her Shirone Mode). Valerie as Integra! XD Precisely, that is the big change from Moloch's interference warning them of future events. They brought in people with history with each of them to throw them off their game. They'll need to be strong to push through the memories :D I am so glad you enjoyed it man! I am working on the last 2 chapters of the arc as we speak and hope to never disappoint ;) It's always great to read your reviews, I truly mean that. Been staying safe here and hope the same is true for you and your loved ones, my friend. Wishing you all the best! :D

horakthy baraq: Thank you so much! Indeed, he may be a weirdo...but he's a genius weirdo. Raynore...whatever do you mean? Look, a distraction! *runs the other way*

silverhawk88: It was touch and go there for a bit, but Valerie made it. I can't talk to the Raynare part just yet, but soon... And you got that right, Despoina was under Hades' jurisdiction so it only makes sense he'd be suspicious he may have had a hand in her escape. Hope you like where that goes! :D

7: Those are interesting theories to be sure :) God did have access to a lot of powers considering the SG system was designed by him, it does make you wonder. Yea, Rizevim is off his rocker imo lol, basically wants to just break this world and move onto the next without a care like a kid done playing with one toy. Well, we can't have Rose being wife-napped XD Once they can start finding out how he can get around the Roads without being detected, they can deal with him. Thank you so much! I hope you like the new chapter.

DragonGodZalama: Well, you see the thing about Raynare is... *reply redacted for spoilers to this chapter*.

Shadow king: He really was XD Marius thought he could get away with anything if he was unkillable...not realizing nobody is fully. Not familiar with Sukuna, but can picture someone rubbing it in like that after he loses XD Thank you so much man! That truly means a lot to hear, wishing you all the best!

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

"My Gods…drive them off!" Dorian shouted as he emerged near the fortress at the edge of Carmilla territory. "Elmen, what happened!?"

Dorian dropped down upon a looming black dragon that a half dozen vampires, Elmenhilde included, were trying to deal with but were barely scratching its scales. Using Twilight Star, he impaled it with a single thrust before turning to bisect two more that were rushing them from the entrance. With the immediate ones closest dealt with, he surrounded them with Musphelheim fire to give them breathing room. Fortunately, while the dragons seemed to be more than standard soldiers could handle, the Crossroads were far from that. One by one, they helped clear out the courtyard to ensure the fortress was secure.

"That had been my subordinate," she shakily answered, eyes wide as her body continued to act on the defensive. "He transformed r-right before my eyes."

"The Brigade, Qlippoth, did something," he tried to explain while helping her back to her feet, another vampire tending to her injuries. "Euclid made it seem like they could do this to anyone they augmented with the Holy Grail."

"But it was one of MY men!" She roared before calming down. "They wouldn't…they wouldn't…"

Wouldn't betray Carmilla's ideology? Dorian wouldn't say it out loud. Despite Elmenhilde's initial attitude, it was clear she had utterly trusted her people and their ideals. To see that some of her own faction had secretly undergone Holy Grail modification had clearly shaken what she saw as an absolute.

"They swarmed over us, even started attacking their own people who hadn't changed," she went on to explain. "It was all we could do to retreat back to the castle between those who transformed and our rising casualties. I barely have enough men left for a single garrison!"

"Where are the civilians?" Dorian suddenly noticed there were far fewer within the walls than he would have expected while being chased through the castle town.

"W…we grabbed who we could, but couldn't…" She didn't finish before Dorian turned to race to the top battlement while annihilating black dragons as he went. Once at the top, he looked out over the scene and his heart dropped.

Buildings were burning in the distance, the reason why the castle was not yet under siege now fully evident. Once they reached the town, the dragons started attacking wantonly starting with the buildings on the edges. Fortunately, many of the normal people were approaching the walls with what they could carry. It was only looking further out that the Einherjar saw those who had taken longer or came from the outskirts.

"That group there!" He pointed them out. "They won't reach the walls before they are overtaken!"

"I don't have the men…" Elmenhilde still looked shell shocked, seeing the danger but unmoving, almost in a trance. "We can barely defend the walls."

"Damnit," Dorian gritted his teeth, there had to be hundreds of dragons chasing down the civilians. He theorized it must be a mix of the Carmilla traitors, Tepes and perhaps some the Brigade had waiting in reserve. "They'll be slaughtered."

"I do not see how we can face that and win," Zepar honestly advised as he took a breather beside him. "The castle is secure with a defensive position, but we do not have the manpower for such a foray." Dorian was silent a moment before answering.

"We don't need to win, just slow them down until the people can get inside the walls." Zepar looked at him, nodding slowly seeing his meaning. "How are the others?"

"I can still fight," Rossweisse asserted, her injuries not slowing her down. "If you're thinking what I think you are…I'm going out there with you."

"Me too," Thrud asserted while wrenching Gullbjorn from the body of a slain dragon.

"We all are," Irina nodded assuredly. "They may be vampires, but they're still innocent people seeing their homes burned. We can't just leave them."

"No, we can't, but all of you are important as well. We will go out there, but as soon as they are behind the walls, I want everyone to withdraw…regardless how the rest of us are doing." They understood what he meant. "Crossroads…LET'S GO!"

Elmenhilde couldn't get a word out as the entire team vaulted over the walls, their various methods of flight taking hold as they propelled themselves out. Traveling at such speeds, the retreating civilians almost took them for attackers, but breathed a sigh of relief as they blew past urging them to rush for the castle as fast as they could. Rossweisse gasped upon spotting the proprietor of the restaurant she and Dorian had visited before the battle mere hours before, hitting home just how uninvolved those people should have been in the battle.

It doesn't matter that they are vampires, they are people just like Irina said. If we can get them to safety…whatever happens to us will be worth it.

Underwater City…

"Try it now!" Brokkr called out to his brother, slamming his hammer into the side of the machine he had been tinkering with for the better part of the day.

"I've been trying it ya daft shit!" Eitri called back, their efforts to get the Nagalfr moving no better than it had been when they started.

"OI! Language before the lady you tactless bastard!"

"YER THE BASTARD! BUT THIS SHIP IS A BIGGER ONE. WORK DAMN YOU!" He kicked the bulkhead for good measure as it refused to obey his increasingly vulgar commands.

Seekvaira sighed loudly while wiping sweat from her brow. Ever since Dorian had departed for the surface, she'd been working around the clock to try and fulfill her promise to get the ship going. As of yet, she had been stumped and was getting more than a little worried that the banter between the brothers was starting to sound normal to her.

"Kry the ext banel!"

"Huh!?" Both brothers momentarily stopped their bickering in bewilderment at the unknown language the Agares heiress had tried to convey to them.

"I said, try the next panel!" She repeated, this time removing the screwdriver from her mouth she'd barely realized was still there. "We got a point three percent increase in output; it means we're doing SOMETHING against this field.

"Ay, that we are, you've the best minds of the Nine Realms at yer disposal. Yer my kind of highborn lass, not afraid ta get her hands dirty. Are ye single by chance? Eitri got ya flowers and everything."

"I did NOT! Ye know she's sweet on Dorian, why…" Brokkr tackled his brother before he could finish the sentence, the two wrestling on the ground much to Seekvaira's dismay.

"That was the point ya brainless git! A little teasing never hurt anyone, now get back to work before…"

"How do they get things done?" Seekvaira asked herself as they continued fighting, dropping her head into her waiting hands in a moment of fatigue while no one was looking.

"Family is big for dwarves, centuries of that will teach good time-management skills even after the harshest arguments. They have done more than the other teams even with the brotherly-quarrels, right?"

"Oh, yes," she relaxed a bit realizing the words came from Ratatoskr who was hanging by his tail just above her. "No success so far, what about the others?"

"Zilch luck finding the source of the field, but they're a bit preoccupied. They found ANOTHER chamber the size of a city, this place is even bigger than we thought...or smaller, it's hard to tell when physics want to give you the middle finger. Doesn't help we get the heeby jeebies with those creepy things watching us from the darkness. Looks like the stalker Goddess has been true to her word and they haven't attacked again. How about you take a break?"

"That is not neces…" Seekvaira was stunned as the squirrel produced a steaming cup of tea with a generously-sized wafer at the side. With a rumbling belly egging her on, she politely accepted it with a sip. "Thank you."

"Least I can do for a lady friend of the boss," he tipped a non-existent hat even under her scrutinous gaze. "I also make a mean soufflé without the kitchen exploding."

"And you never thought to teach Dorian that great talent if only to prevent the likelihood of the tower burning down?" The extraplanar being was legitimately surprised at her small attempt at a joke, having thought her being without a real sense of humor.

"Trust me, teaching him is beyond even my power…he'd need a God of Cooking to even stand a chance of success. You might have a shot if your mechanical know-how was transferred into the culinary arts."

"No luck there I'm afraid, it took years and many hours with my father to get where I am. I will always be grateful. But all of that hard work hasn't done a thing to help get the Nagalfr moving again!"

"You'll figure it out," Rat patted her reassuringly on the back. "Maybe I can help."

"I don't see how, unless you want to get out and push."

"Get out and…huh, that aint half bad of an idea. Huh?" The rodent of Yggdrasil suddenly put his hand up as if having just received a phone call. The misses is calling, sounds important. Be back in a flash." Without another word, Ratatoskr scampered out a nearby window leaving the Agares daughter with her mouth hanging open wanting to ask what had happened.

"What do you think he meant by that?" She turned to ask the dwarven brothers, but they were clearly still wrestling and hadn't hear a word she said. After resting a few more minutes and finishing the wafer, the young devil heiress decided they had to keep trying. "Indeed, I don't know how much more of this I can ta…"

The ship suddenly rumbled, cutting off her griping as she was thrown towards the dwarven brothers who expertly caught her, somehow staying completely rooted to the deck amidst the turmoil. Thinking quick, they fastened a line from her to the nearest bulkhead.

"The fuck is that!" Eitri called out, checking the screens around them. "How are we moving? All systems are still reading at nearly zero!"

"It's not the ships power moving us!" Brokkr thought aloud while holding onto Seekvaira and his brother. "There's something else at work!"

"Attention all hands," the cheeky voice of Ratatoskr echoed through the ship. "Yggdrasil has reported that Boss-man is in big trouble and needs some backup. At the ingenious idea of the hotty Agares, I have come up with a plan to get us there, though it will be a bumpy ride. You have 30 seconds to disembark if you don't wanna come along. That is all."

What idea of mine!? What could that furball be up to now!

"Ye thought of something without telling us?" Brokkr sounded disappointed and hurt. "What did ye come up with ta get us sailing again?"

We're not sailing, we're…! Seekvaira had familiarized herself with the ship as best she could since first setting foot aboard. In that time, the feel of the plates could tell a lot about what the vessel was going through, and in this case, they allowed her to tell that the ship was indeed not sailing, far from it… The Nagalfr is falling!

Carmilla Castle Town…

The Crossroads stood in a line, a wall marking the point they knew that they could not let the rampaging dragons past. At the speed they were charging forward, there was only a few minutes until the battle started. The sheer number was daunting and none were weaker than a mid-class devil with more being in the upper-high strengths. Dorian looked to each of those who stood beside him in turn.

"That sure is a lot," Bennia muttered already in her Reaper Form. "I can probably handle quite a few, but still…"

"We'll handle as many as it takes," Thrud said what Dorian was thinking. "I'll take the hundred on the left, though I wish I'd had a good meal before such a fight."

"The odds of us defeating so many are…" Zepar stopped himself before saying something that would surely lower morale. "Teleportation is still not an option unless Queen Carmilla allows, reinforcements cannot arrive."

Dorian, maybe I can help them. We need as much power as we can get.

"Iggy?" He asked as the woman materialized beside him now visible to the team.

"Remember the armor you used against Issei's Juggernaut Drive?" He nodded, recalling the form that had given him mastery over Olympian Lightning, a byproduct of his gear acclimating to it combined with his own practice into its power. "I realized in Lilith that I could use it myself when you were not, sort of like how Despoina can also become tangible when I am not."

"That was what you used to confront Leonardo?" She nodded a confirmation. "What about it?"

"That got me thinking if such mastery could work with the other myths I've taught you through the gear and realized it was true. Devil, Heaven, Olympus, Norse, all of them have a form where you bring out their full potential at the expense of the others."

"That is amazing, but I can only wear one armor at a time," Dorian flexed his gauntleted hand, pointing out he was already in his Breakdown armor. "How does this help us now…wait!"

"Exactly!" She could sense his growing understanding. "If I can use armor when you are not, then that means I can also project it to those who are closest to you…everyone standing here holds that distinction."

"You can hand out cool abilities!?" Bennia was practically giddy as the others glanced to each other. "What've you got!?"

"I haven't tried it yet, but…Dorian, put your hand on her head. Switch your gem to the myth you think embodies her most, and…"

The Einherjar complied, doing so for Bennia first. Considering her powers, he focused on the darkness of the Reapers, the speed and magic she commanded when in her Skull-Form and all she could do with more at her disposal. The gem on his hand turned black before the void-like light leapt from it onto the girl.

"Woah, what…?" She started before the swirling black colors enveloped her, molding into a shadow-variant of the Shinto armor he had learned in Kyoto. The power boost could be felt even from where the others were standing, Bennia's eyes wide with joy at how she felt. "Check me OUT!"

"Can you do that again?" Thrud asked, Dorian turning to her next.

She'd embody the might of Asgard perfectly…

With that thought, the colors of the Norse Realms darted from his gear, slamming into Thrud's body with a lurch though she stood her ground. The power seemed to take to the young goddess wholly differently from Bennia, the energy becoming solid and latching onto parts of her body like attachments. If Seekvaira had been present, she would have compared it to when Gundams received upgrades. Her armor appeared more ornate; a winged helmet covered her head making her eyes hard to see with her shoulders growing grander than before.

"Huh, it reminds me of what I imagined Valkyrie armor looked like before Odin had the changes made…"

"You better not forget about lil ol' me-nya," Kuroka started, but it was unnecessary as the Olympian armor shot into her, draping the nekoshou in a lavish toga like Dorian had been. She couldn't help but notice it was decidedly more feminine on her, the fabric barely containing her breasts. Magic surged through her at the armor's natural affinity to augment all forms, Sage Arts included. "You didn't redesign it yourself just for me, did you?" She winked.

"Maybe it takes your thoughts into account," Dorian shrugged with an awkward grin. Turning to Rossweisse, she raised a hand asking him to abstain from providing one for her.

"My High Queen armor is already so powerful, anymore and I cannot guarantee being able to control it," she insisted.

Zepar was next, the magics of Fallen Angels surrounding him, leaving him in dark armor akin to that of a medieval knight with motifs of his people. Drawing a blade of light only added to this as it crackled with energy he could barely contain.

"And I?" Hecuba asked, falling to one knee like a Knight as Dorian touched her shoulder.

Asgard would suit her too, also Olympus, but both are with others. What about…?

Chunks of obsidian started sprouting from her Spartan armor, worrying Hecuba for a moment before realizing it did not cause her any pain. The chunks lit up as if molten hot, yet she felt no heat from them. It became apparent what realm Dorian had selected for her.

"Fiery just like her hair," Bennia smirked playfully at her friend. "Sporting that Musphelheim fire like you owned it."

"So it would seem," she looked over her newly augmented armor, internally wishing it had less of a chaotic, ununiformed look to it.

"Irina," Dorian held out a hand to her next. "I learned enough of Heaven for a Balance Breaker attuned to it. If you would have it…"

The reborn angel took his outstretched hand, fingers linking together as the golden-white light swirled around her like a radiant tornado. Her 4-wings exploded from her back now outlined so brightly it was hard to look at her. She now wore armor akin to the Seraphs like Michael or Gabriel, but fitting to her even giving faulds at the sides to protect her legs which was missing from her normal Church attire.

"I…I always hoped to have clothes like this…" She spun around in awe, barely knowing what she could even say to such a gift even if it were temporary.

"I do believe our chances of survival have substantially increased," Zepar remarked as he tested his powers, the dragon force now much closer. "I estimate we need only hold them ten minutes, fifteen at the utmost to give the civilians time to make it within the walls."

"I will not be idle," Iggy laid her hands upon the ground, summoning roots to form walls across the battlefield. "I will assist each of you as needed when I can."

"If you're not holding back, then neither shall I," Dorian opened a miniature portal to the Roads, silently wishing that they could just evacuate everyone, but there were far too many to get them inside fast enough. Pulling back, Thrud's jaw dropped as a weapon nearly identical to her father's was pulled out. "The god-magic may be spent, but I've been recharging it with my own for weeks."

Holding the replica Mjolnir high, lightning boomed from the sky to collide with the imitation to a divine construct, forcing Dorian to plant his feet so as to not be overwhelmed in an instant. Thrusting the weapon forward, the others followed suit as streams of energy, lightning, spells and projectiles soared across the field. The effect was deafening, able to be heard even by the refugees they had bid to flee as quickly as possible toward the walls. The first lines of foes almost ceased to exist; the ground being torn up by the Ultimate-Class powers assailing it. Despite the overwhelming power, those in the back merely climbed over their fallen to continue forward.

They were vampires once, that fact burned through Dorian's mind with each attack of his godly instrument. Who were they before they transformed to hunt their neighbors? Each hit weighed on him but, in this situation, there was no alternative. Due to their sheer numbers, it was fight or be overrun.

Iggy's bramble wall slowed their advance, but not long, their claws rending through faster than she could regrow them. As multiple breaches had been made in their line, Dorian made the command he knew could no longer be avoided.

"Everyone, halt them here! We can't allow them to advance any further!"

Tepes Castle…

"She is safe enough to transport now," Azazel promised, Gasper lifting Valerie's body into his arms just now noticing how light she was. "Getting two-thirds of her Gear ripped out and crammed back in must have been a shock to her system, if we restore the last, hopefully that will fix this coma right up." The room shook around them, causing the team to look around for the source. The enemies were still nowhere in sight since Gasper had devoured them, but falling dust and rubble from above warned that there was something happening outside.

"Goldie might need help; we can get upstairs and…"

"Oh, I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere just yet, lover."

Issei's blood ran cold as the room grew silent. He wasn't the only one who recognized the sinister yet equally alluring voice calling out to him from the entrance door. Black feathered wings greeted them along with a woman adorned in a dark dress and hands condescendingly affixed to her hips. The face that he could never forget burned into his mind stared into his own, that smile which had led to so many nightmares directed at him once more.

"No…it can't be…" Asia muttered as her face paled.

"I killed you," Rias asserted. "You are dead…"

"The Holy Grail," Issei understood as his face twitched from the emotions pouring through him. "Isn't that right…Raynare?"

"Got it in one," she laughed loudly. "I've never felt so strong, brought back AND augmented all at once. But don't worry, I won't be warped into mass-produced lizards like all those poor saps upstairs. Your vampire and Crossroad allies are being slaughtered as we speak."

"They brought YOU back?" Azazel stepped forward to face his former operative. "Out of everyone they could have?"

"Moloch seemed to think that lover boy over there could be a real threat. They knew you had a soft spot for me," she winked which sent shivers through his spine. "It's funny, once upon a time I would have done ANYTHING for you," she grimaced angrily at Azazel. "But now I can't even stand the sight of you, you aren't the same man I aspired to serve so faithfully…you're just a coward."

"You twisted my orders into something YOU wanted," he fired back. "Did your fall from Heaven do more than I thought? You used to be so…" A javelin of light far stronger than she was ever capable of before rocketed towards the former Governor-General, Azazel deflecting it at the last moment into the nearby wall.

"You are far stronger, but you can't hope to beat all of us," Issei was the first to step forward. "I'm not the same as I was before, it won't be Rias who finishes you off this time."

"Issei…"

"Oh, I didn't intend to fight you, just to let you know to sleep lightly at night now that you know I'm back. By the way, you were aware that is a load-bearing wall…right?"

The section of wall Azazel had deflected her attack into began to crumble, its trajectory planned before she even fired it. With a mocking wave, she disappeared into a puff of smoke leaving Team Gremory alone as the ceiling started coming down around them.

"Move move move!" Issei motioned for everyone to go through the collapsing door, extending his wings out as far as they could to catch the falling ceiling before it struck his friends. His newfound strength gave him more than enough to keep the building up until everyone could make it out. Only once he was sure everyone was clear did the Red Dragon Emperor pull back, allowing the room to be buried beneath the stone and mortar.

"The path we came in is already blocked!" Koneko pointed at the pile before them from the rooms leading down to the ritual chamber she had come through.

"Get down! BOOSTED DRAGON SHOT!" Issei bellowed as he fired a concentrated beam straight through the rubble that could not withstand it. Within a matter of seconds, a perfect cylinder to the surface had been formed with dim light visible at the end. Team Gremory raced through it, the creaking of the walls warning them that it would not last.

"Kiba, if you can escape, do it and grab anyone you can carry," Rias gave him permission to use his Knight-enhanced speed to reach the exit on his own, but the blonde Knight shook his head to immediately refute such an act he saw as cowardly.

"Leave it to me, EXPAND!!" Issei proclaimed as the wings on the back of his armor doubled in size again and again until they towered over them casting an immense shadow across the awed students.

"Now those are dragon wings…" Azazel muttered as they folded over the team like a massive umbrella shielding them from every boulder or crashing metal. After a final sprint, the team broke through to the outside while all collapsed behind. "Whew, that took a few years off my life," The fallen angel groaned as he got to his feet while poking at his prosthetic to ensure it was still working. "We can maybe…!"

It was then once clear of danger that Team Gremory saw the chaos around them. In place of the battle between vampires they had left was instead vampires fighting for their lives against twisted black dragons. The castle was aflame, pockets of Tepes resistance battling against their former allies. Vali was fighting among them, his white armor shining bright as he cleared out swathes at a time.

"Akeno, covering magic from above. Her Queen smiled with an almost sinister glee as her body crackled with light. Asia, get to the high ground with her and do what you can for us and the vampires. Honda, you and Gasper keep Valerie safe. Issei, Kiba, Cat…"

"We got this," Issei nodded with confidence. "I don't know what the Hell happened, but we're not going down without a fight!"

Damnit, Raynare will have to wait…we got more important things to do. Shit, how did things go so bad so quickly, everything is changing to fast!

Carmilla Castle Town…

Dragons swarmed towards Dorian one after another, the Einherjar using every trick in his book to stay ahead. Hundreds had fallen between them but more came forward, making him question if they were all vampires turned, or perhaps had been reserves already in play through cloning magic. Patches of Musphelheim fire littered the field, holy light shining from Irina's blows, lightning of Olympus and the Nine Realms crackling in all directions, but it wasn't enough.

"Come on, is that the best you have!" Thrud throttled another dozen that challenged her, though her armor was cracked in places with blood dripping from multiple wounds. There was barely anyone without an injury of some kind. Bennia used her own wounds to instill some fear in the creatures if they could feel such emotions, her skull-face being cracked in places looking even more grim than usual. Dorian batted foes aside with his replica Mjolnir, but they just kept coming.

"The civilians will reach the walls any moment now," Rossweisse assured him as she landed, the skies no longer safe since the dragons unveiled wings of their own. "But I am afraid that…"

"A retreat is beyond us now, they have cut us off from all directions. A few could squeeze through, but not all." Zepar sighed as he joined them, the three covering one another. "Unless your roads can be of use."

"I could open it, but how many of those things would get in before we all could escape?" Dorian grimaced, picturing if these monsters were rampaging across Yggdrasil's boughs to say nothing of Euclid still unaccounted for. "If we have no other choice, but…"

"The civilians will be safe," Hecuba fell from above, impaling a dragon beneath her with the True Longinus. Her hair was disheveled, the ponytail having been cut free by a narrow-miss allowing her red hair to flow freely. "As long as Elmenhilde's forces can hold the walls until help can arrive. Surely the rest of the Alliance will know of this."

"Even if they do, they will have to come by land or air," Rossweisse explained. "Vampire territory already had powerful wards against teleportation and I fear Qlippoth did something to augment them. I can't even teleport an inch," she recalled having tried it mere minutes ago to no effect. Even Bennia's patented teleport skips to confuse her foes was not working.

"Close ranks," Hecuba used her knowledge of such outnumbered situations to try and find an avenue of victory. "Perhaps we can fight through a gap and…"

"INCOMING!" The shout from above started the group, the Crossroads looking up in awe.

Ratatoskr appeared through a tiny portal from the Roads but quickly ballooned in size surpassing that of large elephants. His impact flattened the dragons immediately threatening the group, swiping his tail to clear a large swathe throwing them into the distance. Between that and new brambles created by Iggy, they had a few moments to breathe.

"Rat!?"

"In the hunky flesh. Not to worry, I won't steal any of your ladies who swoon for my dashing rescue today. I had Yggdrasil open a path for me. The Nagalfr is on the way!"

"The Nagalfr?" Dorian looked on perplexed, his mind trying to process all that had happened so quickly. "They found a way around the energy dampening effect of the city!?"

"Well, no," the squirrel admitted with some hesitation. "The place is still darker than your prospects of making a decent Christmas dinner, but gravity still works."

"Gravity?"

"Yea, felt like a GENIUS when I thought of that one thanks to a push from that cutie glasses devil. Yggy could tell you were in trouble, so I asked her to open the big momma of all portals directly under the ship. Gave a good push and gravity did the rest."

"That's brilliant!" Rossweisse exclaimed at his explanation.

Huh, why didn't we think of that? Wait, if it fell through, then…

"On a totally unrelated note, ya may wanna look up…and dodge."

It was almost comedic as every member of the Crossroads and even many dark dragons looked up as an enormous portal to the Roads opened before them eclipsing the sky. If they had considered invading that hidden realm, it was quickly dashed as the still-depowered hulk of the Nagalfr fell down like a meteor upon them. The terminal velocity built up from the initial fall into the Roads and the entire trip down to them had not slowed it, the hull turning red from the heat.

"CHEESE IT!" Bennia shouted by instinct, Dorian not even bothering to give his own command that would have resulted in much the same reaction. Everyone took flight and sprinted to the nearest patch of land that was not shaded by the battleship crashing down upon them.

Their haste was not a moment too soon as the Nagalfr slammed into the Earth utterly shattering it with waves of pressure booming out in all directions. The mighty vessel sunk nearly half its height into the ground before coming to a halt with many dead dragons beneath it. Those not immediately caught in the turmoil were blown clear or knocked off their feet. It took many protect barriers and shields to keep the cross-myth team from suffering the same fate.

"I'll have the shields ready in a moment!" Iggy was the first to float aboard, her branches and roots already snaking into the hull of the ship ready to take control of the internal systems necessary for function. Now away from the debilitating field of the city, the lights and engines began to slowly thrum to life.

"Rat, I could kis…!" Dorian leaned over only for the rodent to put a hand up to stop his attempt at an embrace. "With this, we can protect the castle."

"Or you can get the Hel out of dodge," Ratatoskr leapt onto his shoulders. "Heard on the wire that our friends are sending troops to help now that the vampires can't really say no. They're quarantining BOTH Carmilla and Tepes Castle where these things are pouring out of. Apparently, the things used to be vampires until recently and they don't want to kill them all if it can be helped."

"Then we evacuate, be prepared to…"

"Hurch…that damned squirrel, I'll kill him. How long were we falling, I…I…" A familiar voice muttered to themselves while emerging from a hatch below deck. Seekvaira Agares appeared with a hand over her mouth trying not to lose her lunch. Spotting the denizen of Yggdrasil first, a flash of pure killing intent washed over her eyes only abating upon spotting Dorian beside him.

She was onboard while it was falling?! Dorian didn't want to think of the effect that would have on the stomach.

"Dorian!" She quickly slicked back her disheveled hair, fixed her glasses and smoothed her skirt while swallowing down the urge to throw up. "D-does this mean we are in Romania?"

"In the flesh, and all it took was a short drop and a sudden stop," Ratatoskr retorted before a green beam blasted him off Dorian's shoulder courtesy of one of her wing-platforms.

"Once again you see me in a compromising situation…but I don't mind if it's you."

"Seekvaira…" He stepped closer, about to say something before the ship lurched beneath them, rising into the air above the grounded dragons. The ones that tried to take off and assail them were quickly repulsed by the barrier shield now at full strength.

"Set course for the fortress once everyone is aboard!" The young man fell into the comfort of command, relieved to see the others had already made it, hunkering down to rest and treat their injuries.

"What about the ones following us?" Dorian looked back at Kuroka's warning, seeing indeed many were preparing to give chase.

"…lay down suppressing fire with the cannons." It was a call he had to make.

The Nagalfr rocketed across the terrain, cannons and barrier keeping the army of Dark Dragons at bay, their casualties causing them pause and retreat back to the abandoned countryside. The team were unhindered the rest of the way as the battleship settled in over the fortress, gangways lowering by the dozens to allow those below to board.

"Everyone, come this way!" Irina insisted as she ushered the vampire civilians towards them. "We need to go, now!"

"Plenty of room, come on now!" Zepar and Kuroka did the same, the Crossroads ensuring none would be left behind.

The people, both civilians and soldiers alike rushed forward, not questioning this ship that had come from nowhere. It was helped by Elmenhilde who placated worries where she found them. Despite all she had done, acted and sneered at the Crossroads, Dorian could not help but notice she was the last one aboard after all the rest had made it to safety.

"That's the last, our castle is empty of people and the essentials," the vampire woman reported. "Are you to lay waste to these traitors?"

"The area is being quarantined by the other myths," he replied while focusing on helping several wounded shopkeepers to the lower decks. "You said they were some of your own people out there…if there is any chance of reversing what the Grail did, we will keep them contained here for the time being."

"That is…agreeable," her thoughts of arguing wavered at the thought that more could be saved. "There are so many survivors," she looked out among the crowds sticking together upon the Nagalfr. "I will not forget that; this could have been…so much worse."

I know.

"Everyone, hold onto something, we're heading out into the Roads, it'll bypass the anti-teleportation seals."

"Where are we going first? Castle Carmilla cannot support an entire region of refugees."

"We can worry about that when the time comes," the Einherjar remarked as the ship raised into the air, disappearing into the Roads before the army of dragons could recover their courage and follow. "First though, there are others in need of aid. We will not leave them behind."

Tepes Castle…

"How many of these damned things are there?" Issei asked as he blasted a group of dragons trying to break into a barricaded home. "Get inside, we'll cover you."

"Th-thank you!" The young vampire couple bowed quickly before rushing inside before the door closed again. Within, Gasper was protecting Valerie, his shadows expanding to a wide field devouring any Evil Dragon that entered their domain. All the same, he had slowed the attacks, hesitating knowing that all their foes had once been normal vampires.

"They're trying to surround us, we do not have enough," Rias was proud of her peerage doing as well as they were alongside Vali and his team, but they could not be everywhere at once. "If even some escape into the countryside…"

"M-maybe I can help," Asia swallowed hard, stepping forward with some hesitation. "We need more ground covered. I can do that."

"Asia?" Issei looked at her proud but confused. "You can...since when?!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," she gave Issei a quick peck on the cheek before stepping forward towards the swarming dragons. Beneath her a golden summoning circle glowed brightly that he recognized as the Dragon Gate they had attempted to use when he was trapped in the Dimensional Gap.

"Just watch, Issei, watch the results of her time with Azazel leading up to this day," Rias looked on with pride towards her second Bishop. The young nun's voice boomed with more authority than Issei had ever heard.

"HEAR MY VOICE, GOLDEN KING! CRAWL ON THE GROUND AND RECEIVE MY REWARD, PLEASE COME OUT GIGANTIS DRAGON…FAFNIR THE KING!"

A great form emerged from the circle followed by the many familiars that had chosen Asia as their master called forth along with one of the five Dragon Kings. He held the appearance of a Welsch Dragon, yet surprisingly had no wings upon his back. Spanning over ten meters in length, he bodied the closest foes to create a barrier of protection for Asia and those nearest her.

"Fafnir!? But I though old man Azazel had him as his Balance Breaker!"

"He confronted me a few weeks ago noticing my affinity for dragons," she admitted feeling a bit embarrassed. "We went through a ritual to transfer him to Twilight Healing and it worked. I haven't summoned him yet, he has…odd requirements."

"Do you have them?" The dragon boomed with a threatening voice. "My aid does not come without great cost."

"I do," Asia swallowed hard nervously, reaching into her pockets and producing the object within.

PANTIES!? Ddraig's voice boomed deafeningly in Issei's ear. Did that Allfather's influence in your revival stretch so far!? Are none of our kind free of such reputations now?

And how dare he ask for Asia's?! Issei joined his partner in his anger. Those are sacred, no one should be able to earn them except me!

"The pact is forged," Fafnir took the underwear before a portal opened beside him. "I shall be sure to store this in a place of honor next to my greatest treas…! What?! Where has it gone?" The Dragon King wailed as he looked within the portal, his head snapping left and right as if searching for something. "My greatest treasure won fairly from the Allfather himself; it's gone!"

"I-I'm sorry about that," Asia twiddled her thumbs. "Perhaps we can get another of what it was?"

Wait, wasn't that Freyja's panties that Thrud returned after Freed died? Bless your innocence Asia for not remembering.

"Was it you who took it!?" Fafnir turned to the rabble of Dark Dragons, the monsters glancing towards one another in confusion. "RETURN THEM THIS INSTANT!"

The dragon crawled on the ground at such speed that it bowled them over like pins. More came but were equally as ineffective at stopping the force of nature the Dragon King had become. Any thought of attacking the hiding civilians quickly ended as the monsters realized, even driven by base instinct, that they had to face this foe before all others.

"Rias!" Issei held out his gauntleted hand in his Crimson Cardinal Form. "Let's join in!"

"Yes!" She smiled, her body consumed by the power of destruction, her dark hand clasping his crimson one. "Together."

Red and Black coalesced as the lovers merged the best of their ultimate forms, a Dragon Shot wrapped in Destruction fired obliterating every monster in its path. Working as one, none could withstand them even as more poured in to fill the gaps.

"EXPAND!" At Issei's announcement, many dragons bloated in mid-air, falling to the ground barely able to move with their oversized limbs. "Man, I never get tired of that!"

"A new move?" Rias was impressed at his new ability that could incapacitate so many at once. "What other practical uses could it have?" The smirk on her face had Issei's heart fluttering among other things.

"We can find that out when we're back home," he grinned with a slight bit of blood trickling from his nose. "Until then…come on! We can't let these things hurt anyone else!"

Not far…

More dragons, always more dragons. That was the thought going through Honda's mind as the Dullahan Rook punched another in the face, sending it through a wall.

He had been fighting non-stop since arriving, something Honda did not enjoy but knew was necessary. First vampires, now dragons, despite not actually having a head, he lurched forward slightly in his own rendition of a sigh. Koneko had taken to the skies to help deal with the dragons; their numbers so spread out with many innocents caught in the crossfire. Turning, Honda slammed a fist into a dragon that had been behind him, only noticing once it was blown backwards that there was a small boy clutching at his leg.

A vampire child? Honda thought, seeing the pale skin and red eyes. Why did he not run? Could he not tell the dragon was hunting him?

Sensing the answer, Honda slammed his metal hands together as hard as he could. The child did not flinch, giving away he could had not even perceived the action.

He's deaf.

Kneeling down, Honda brought himself within the boy's sight, causing him to shirk back seemingly not having realized the statue he sought safety under was actually alive. With slow but purposeful movements, he went through every rendition of sign language he had been learning with his newfound team in the time since being made a devil. Finally, after worrying that the form used in Romania by vampires was not known, the child perked up having understood him at last.

"Can't find dad," he signed back. "Dragons everywhere."

"Shelter near, please follow," he kept the replies simple to prevent confusion. "Understand?" They nodded, yet refused to move as their legs quaked beneath them. Knowing they could not wait; Honda quickly scooped the child up in one of his powerful arms and took off running.

Dragons clambered into his path, normally he could have dealt with them with relative ease, but with only one usable arm, he considered the options. Backhanding the first dragon, the Dullahan-Rook planted a foot into the next, using it to catapult over the rest with a flip all while cradling the child ensuring they were not jostled too much. Landing with a crashing clang of steel on dirt, he continued sprinting for the safehouse just beyond being guarded by the others.

Just a little further, just…

A dark dragon crashed through the nearby brick wall, a horn stabbing Honda's breastplate all the way through. Were there anything within his armor, their heart would have surely been pierced. Fortunately, he was not subject to such limitations, though the impalement did make it harder for him to move as more closed in around him. Claws raked at his armor, but he refused to move shielding the boy within his arms.

"Let go of him!" Catherine appeared in a blink, her sword not appearing to have moved, however, the dragons all burst into pieces with wounds across them in an instant. "Are you alright?"

Honda replied with raising two fingers in a V-shape, he didn't need to sign to get that across.

"That's bad," she looked at the horn still impaling him. With a quick motion, she seized and pulled it free thankful the Dullahan felt no pain. "We're still secure, please get inside with him and we'll cover you. Don't worry," the last words were directed to the child who looked up at the pink-haired knight with wonder. "We're the good ones."

Honda repeated her words in sign to him, causing a smile to form on his lips.

You are going to be safe, we both will. Lady Gremory had been good to him ever since becoming a Rook. Things looked bleak, but they would find a way out, he just knew it.

Elsewhere…

"We could have gone after Rizevim ya know," Bikou remarked as he fought alongside Arthur and Vali. The team had stayed since the first dragons had appeared, cleaving through waves of Dark Dragons. They'd almost moved on, fought free to escape and continue the pursuit…at least until Vali spotted a family trapped in their own home.

"That is what he wanted," Vali growled as he divided a mass of dragons out of existence. "I'll be damned if I do what that bastard expects. Keep fighting, these small fries are…"

"You okay man?" Issei called out as he landed beside his proclaimed rival noticing his expression was even grimmer than usual. "They just don't want to stop."

"There were many traitors, unsurprising, but it is more than that. They've found a way of duplicating their numbers on top of their base forces. It doesn't matter, I'll tear through them all."

"Would be nice if we had help, at this rate we can win but it'll take all da…" A cracking sound forced the team to look upward, the blue sky turning an unnatural shade of azure. Issei recognized it in an instant.

"Man, I never get tired of seeing the cavalry arrive," he slapped Vali on the back as the Nagalfr lowered itself down in the very center of the besieged Castle Town. The sight pushed everyone on to fight a bit longer as cannon fire rained down around them.

"We're leaving!" Hecuba shouted down from the prow of the vessel. "Get everyone you can onboard NOW!"

"Quite a woman, eh?" Bikou shoulder jabbed Vali a little bit, noticing their leader was looking up at the red Spartan a bit longer than was necessary.

"Quite indeed," Arthur agreed. "This way, now!"

The vampire citizens holed up in their homes saw the arrival of the Norse battleship at first looking on in fear that more enemies had arrived. It was only as Rias and her team led by Akeno's motherly smile that helped coax them from their ramshackle barricades towards their means of escape. Explosions shattered the air as they ran for the vessel, but no dragons got near them. Any that sought an easy kill among the running civilians were intercepted by those of Rias peerage one by one who refused to allow eve a single scratch to befall them. Once they were within the shadow of the Nagalfr, the pathways dropped allowing access.

"Anyone who can't walk or get up the stairs, come over here!" Ratatoskr shouted, Bennia already creating platforms of energy around her as a makeshift elevator. "Second floor; magic battleship, open bar and lingerie, going up!"

Honda led the charge still carrying the child, a pair of adults rushing to take him from the Dullahan's arms with tearful eyes. None would forget the aid they found from outsiders that day. Other than the hectic nature of the retreat, only one source of discord came from the deck of the ship…and it was from one of their own kind.

Aboard the Nagalfr…

"What do you think you are doing!?" Elmenhilde demanded as she realized where they found themselves. "Why are you letting this Tepes rabble aboard?"

"We're evacuating them," Dorian was only half paying attention as he focused Bifrost Barrages towards the larger dragon flocks while coordinating with Iggy over their magical communication on how to utilize their cannon covering fire. "We have enough room, more than enough to…"

"The peace treaty was conditional to helping Carmilla lives ONLY!" She moved in front to cut him off. "You will not squander our chance to escape to rescue Tepes civilians. Get your allies, and leave the rest to their fa…!"

The vampire representative did not have a chance to finish as Dorian, in a moment of anger born of frustration at the endless battle and realizations of that day, pressed his arm against her chest. The force of his move was enough to push Elmenhilde into the nearest wall and pin her there, the Einherjar bringing his face to within an inch of her own, grey eyes locked upon red ones.

"I don't give a damn about your quarrel with them right now. Your people are safe down below, it will not endanger them to rescue as many as we can here as well. They're innocent in this, just like yours and we're saving EVERYONE we can. If you can live with that, then you can help too. If not, then get the Hel off my ship!"

"How dare…!"

"LOOK AROUND YOU!" Dorian motioned over the deck of the Nagalfr already teeming with refugees both Carmilla and Tepes alike. "Look at them and what is happening to their homes, do they look like they care about sharing the space?" With that last word, he released the vampire, letting her feet drop to the boards as he turned to continue helping.

Elmenhilde scanned the room, indeed noticing that the Carmilla already aboard were either ignoring or outright helping the new Tepes flooding the ship. Her fury did not abate, mind racing to try and demand once more that he leave them all to their fates.

"They did this! What happened at our Castle Town. How many of us died, they…they deserve…"

"There is more to life than old grudges, trust me." His voice softened once she was no longer advancing on him with such rage. "You were both used and betrayed, focus on that if you have to on anything. These aren't the people who sided with the Brigade. They're just people. Think how many we WERE able to save."

Elmenhilde grabbed his arm, grip tightening with her rising anger all the while Dorian just stared into her eyes with an intensity. When it seemed like she would try to rip his left limb off to match his right, she relaxed and allowed him to step away.

"We will find a place for your people to stay until we can find a way to deal with the dragons in your territory. This is what the Crossroads were made for."

These Crossroads… Elmenhilde contemplated as Dorian left to assist with the renewed Tepes evacuation. A point where many myths can converge. More times than not, such things are pretty empty words with no substance. And yet, it seems this Dorian Held just may…

Later…

The evacuation was more organized than the first with the Tepes people quick to board with so many foreigners covering their escape. As the Nagalfr flew over the now-deserted Castle Town filled only with clamoring dragons, Gasper could not help but realize the devastation. He held no love for that world, but everything had been devastated from the buildings to the very roads themselves. It was impossible to distinguish what had been what, the sole silver lining being the lack of vampire bodies. They had gotten to the surface quickly enough and thanks to Vali holding them off, many had gotten to shelters or safehouses. Now with all aboard, Asia had quickly gotten to healing everyone she could. She was wobbling, barely able to stand, and yet refused to rest or give up. There were too many wounded for that.

It's not my home, but it is theirs, he thought, realizing what they must be thinking with so many being displaced. I can't imagine how I'd feel if that happened to Kuoh.

None were idle, the Crossroads and Gremory working fervently to make sure everyone was safe for the journey. Now having entered the Road Between Realms, they had no fear of pursuit, allowing an uneasy calm to settle on the refugees whose resentment to one another had grown cold. Those who could looked out across the seemingly endless expanse with awe and wonder, curious as to where they would go next.

"Is this too tight?" Issei asked as he finished bandaging Rias' arm, the slight burn showcasing the danger of her form still not wholly tested. He was as careful as possible, not wanting to see her hurt anymore than she had been.

"I'm fine, thank you," the Gremory heiress replied while laying a tender hand on his own for emphasis.

"Thank goodness, let's head home," he smiled back, feeling the warmth of her hand he could never get enough of. "You've been gone way too long."

"I have," she agreed with a nod as she leaned back against her seat. "But so much happened, I'll speak with my brother as soon as we get back. With Rayn..."

"We can talk about it later," Issei saw the concern in her eyes, wanting Rias to relax as much as she could before more happened. He didn't want to think where the conversation would go if that particular woman was mentioned. "For now, how about we sit just you and me. The view at the top of the ship is really something."

"Just taking in the view?" The devil heiress smirked, knowing how his mind worked. She had his inner thoughts understood even without any powers." He replied with that big loveable grin that made him so unique.

"Well...the scenery outside isn't the only amazing view here."

"More than you think," Catherine made him jump, appearing behind them. "I think Asia will have a chance to relax soon, she would appreciate the moment together...just us."

"Exactly my thought!" Issei leapt to his feet with renewed energy. "Her, you, me...it's too bad Suraiya and Ravel had to stay home, but..." His words were moving a mile a minute, but the others let him continue, finding that joy he felt and shared with others to be one of the finest qualities of this new Red Dragon Emperor.

Elsewhere…

"You didn't kill any of them?" Walburga grumbled as she tended to her still-bandaged wounds. "I thought the whole point of reviving you was to end the Red Dragon Emperor!"

"In time," Raynare replied without looking at her, content with filing her immaculately manicured nails. "It will be MUCH more satisfying to let them cook for a while; you can't rush messing with someone's head…has to simmer."

"That gives time for them to find a solution," Despoina grumbled, disagreeing with her entire outlook. "Best to crush them and be done with it. They clearly have more at their disposal than Moloch was aware of from this past time around."

"A Road's dimension that bypasses our teleport barriers, the Crossroads, and that impressive battleship of theirs," Euclid agreed with the former Greek Goddess. "Even having sealed off the entire vampire nation from help, it sailed in like they weren't even there. Though these Roads are quite beneficial to us as well. The mother tree is blind to my travels, just as he promised."

"That abomination Gear of yours is quite impressive," Apophis complimented. "Masking your scent by coming across as the same aura as the Einherjar. If only it worked for more, we could all follow you."

"If you did that, she'd spot us in an instant," the genius Lucifuge warned. "For now, I shall use the Roads alone."

"Sow what chaos you can," Their leader, Rizevim, commanded in a purely audio-form. "Ensure our other locations are secure until we hear from our illustrious ally. I have not been able to communicate with Moloch since he delved into that city." The Satan mused at the sheer number of Evil Dragon constructs they had lost attempting to enter before they had the idea to utilize the Exorcist Rebellion and Dorian's expedition.

He told us so much, but not what is so important down there. What is he hiding?

"He wanted us delving into the Beast's past," Euclid spoke up as Rizevim grew silent in thought. "An odd request if he is so close to it in the future…"

"Follow that path, you can do so openly," Euclid bowed to the disembodied voice of the one he saw as the true ruler of Devilkind. "The rest of you may pursue what vengeance you wish so long as it does not impede our efforts." Raynare and Despoina nodded in acknowledgement, though the revived fallen angel did so with a sinister grin on her face and fingers crossed behind her back.

"The books you told me about were QUITE illuminating," Euclid turned to Despoina. "It was simple enough to get into the Olympus library through the Roads."

"What have you learned?"

"Nothing concrete, though I have a strong inkling as to the one region of the world old enough to potentially have knowledge of the Trihexa's very origins…"

The Vampire nations lie in ruins thanks to the machinations of the Khaos Brigade, yet many are saved to rebuild and learn from the past thanks to our heroes. As Qlippoth move to consider their next objectives, the Crossroads and their allies do the same to prevent such another large-scale catastrophe from happening again. The Romania-arc concludes next time but until then I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all enjoys! :D