Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Mirror ❯ Act V - A ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Mirror

Volume II

Act V-a

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Numerous was a word that was supposed to be reserved for armies, such was such a term facing her vision. Yet a mob they moved as, not as a body that had an inkling of an idea of what it was doing. They acted more like a wave, moving as a tide, twinkling in the light as waves of water do.

And just as deadly, the metal being the `water' here, the armor the crushing waves.

The sounds of grunts as if the roar of tides.

And as if the land the waves would break against, she held firm as of granite, unwilling to move as they began their first assault. One she caught wind of, approaching as she was out finding morning feed from the plentiful lands of her borne world. One that didn't move too fast, as time and hunger allowed, the morass of orcs that came slowly, and time enough to feed her kin.

But she was the elder and more wise, others of size much lesser, age just as equally so, that she stood out and protected in that here and then, as time eventually ran out.

She didn't care anymore how her lair and clutch were found out. She already knew from a source that was now dead as well. And now from the size of the problem, she was even under more duress than her ancient friend had been.

The numbers were apparently doubled, if the last vision of this same kind of wave was of any merit.

What she did care for as they began scrambling up the cliffs by all means mundane and magical, was where the `real' threat lie.

Or flew in this case.

“A fool to send fools thrice by twice less my age.”

She gave one good look back into her lair, as she felt energies stirring within, before she literally whip lunged her head forth and with it a blaze of fire from deep within her titanic throat.

The first that fell, were quickly replaced by more orcs, ones she suspected had been promised pay far beneath the merit of their task. She ensured they'd pay as she then thrust forth a tremendous claw, and the wands meticulously melded between her scaly folds, unleashed spells of all kinds. Fireballs, lightning bolts, those that crushed by magical impressment of gravity, even illusions that made the orcs attack each other, and even charms that just dropped the orcs into various strange frenzies and actions, delaying others by sight alone, to their death at more flame.

She swung her head, her flame in gouts for as much her lungs could give them, her sac to fuel. The wands soon were exchanged for mental spells, the landscape alive with electricity, fog of acid, flames that made pig screams in the alternating distance.

And yet as much begotten, was begiven the same as her skin slowly was riddled with poisoned arrows that seeped amounts in trickle, past her hide, the same bruised into unwilling molting by spells hitting her of small, but accumulating effects. Time to heal with some of her known cleric prepared was nay, the orcs seemed to just keep coming.

And her wanting to flee to distance, was anchored by protection of her soul bond to her hoard, and to her kin unseen, of whom one was close to finishing preparation. She had only time to glance only just, before a squad of orc warriors scrambled up onto a claw sharp crag near her. Her response was to bite down hard into the squealing torso down body of an orc, roasting it all the same as the outbreath and the swipe of her head removed the rest.

She raised it to let go of the charred husk, before seeing the area where the husk went, was crawling with more orcs.

“Armies don't come as willingly into death like this. Where is their true drive becoming?”

The attacks came more and more, and she was losing her replete, yet limited numbers of defenses, as was her skin the same, as it seemed time was running out for her as well.

She gulped and prayed underneath her draconic anger.. Io bring salvation for my kith.

Ask and thy receive.

The dragon of ancient age threw her head back and felt the energies change.

She snapped it back and nearly her neck the same, as a poorly made lance just barely avoided getting past her near iron skin, between scales, to deliver a retort again to all that was around one that had thrown the offending message of death.

She beat back two more thrusts, aimed mainly beneath her position and to the same area she made her previous `biting' remark against, before she felt something `else' begin approach. Something on high and a `thing' that made her chill unlike anything else could.

She `actually' staggered back, as this approach didn't stop the assault continuing. Direction to look was becoming split, as was time left. She literally roared back in her core tongue. “DO NOT WAIT FOR ME, YOU KNOW WHERE TO TAKE THEM!!”

“WHERE WOULD THIS BE THEN?!!!!!”

She shot her head up, looking for the unseen, and heard a voice she thought she'd never hear again. But then, the rumors from her sister.. her friends of the clan...

“How could this be?!”

She suddenly roared to the breaking of rocks, as two lances stabbed into her right foreleg shoulder. Dispatch was furiously quick, but the damage was now growing beyond manage. She stumbled backwards, one bump of her head on a side wall of the lair opening, half weary, half intentional. She then took a tremendous breath and exploded it in a broad cone, retreating until the cone began to melt the lair opening walls, at the same time runes activated.

She didn't remain to see what of the enemy came up. Those that did scrambled up to their deaths, as the runs unleashed a staggered stream of magic arrows, magical lances even, bursts of wind, and then finally a tremor that began crumbling the lair entrance in a cascade.

And with that noise, a second, shrill version tore the air apart!

By now, the orcs that remained, still numerous, the sum of ten large clans that had been subsumed, knew they had failed.

They awaited their fate, this looking above as a shadow quite huge came within a silhouette of full sight. The shrill it gave came with a death note on call. “FAILED!!!”

The last thing they all felt, was their minds cut `off', having been so enslaved to ideals that betrayed even their normal gods. What was left of their souls withered away in gray husks, a gray haze floating up in a decent sized `fog', as suddenly the cause of this, then shoots out from the high clouds, both gray and morbid, and then slams at great speed into the collapsed lair entrance!

Within a ton of dust and rock fly about as much as does haze from expended spells, the latter the being that violently intruded senses to great disdain!

A bony head of large note peers through the various passages that he is actually a size too large for the more sensitive entry areas, the ones of note that contain two goals that are now gone.

A severe roar in anger at this step too late. “YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF ME MAIDEN!!!”

The skull however notes something then, in the dank air of dust and loss of home, and sees the fading aura of a spell around where the hoard once was.

The skull smiled...

“Hardly in fact.”

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-Many a passing day later-

Takano just sipped her steeped cup of tea, and then quipped plainly. “Ain't you sure he don't need to be hauled up to Heaven for an overhaul?”

Belldandy just giggled as Hirund sighs. “I probably should schedule such, should I not?”

Belldandy just comments. “I thought that was why you brought his Specialists down? They still seem to not want to leave.” ..this Hirund smirks back at Bell. “Actually they'll leave when I do. I'm in no rush.”

The giggling all three made just made Keiichi nearby sigh. “You know he's a loud person when it comes to pain.” ..this Hirund and Takano just eye K1, the latter inducing. “You sure weren't a peach.” ..Keiichi just complains back. “Pain hurts you know!”

“Try giving birth to a bowling ball for a son.”

Keiichi shut up. Belldandy however `helpfully'. “I thought you didn't call him son?”

Takano blinks as Keiichi eggs in. “Nice slip up `mom'.”

Hirund smirked, as Takano has Belldandy help `her' with Keiichi. “Oh gods help me!! Not there Belldandy.. whahahah! OW!! Mo.. T.. Takano.. OW!!” ..in such punishing fashion.

“My pup of a godson might not need to remain much longer, if this continues.”

Takano just offered. “Oh he's just need.. hold still `son'.. readjustment.”

Urd floats by just then with Mara, both whom see the commotion and turn a bit purple themselves. Mara.. “Dang, and I thought I was harsh on him.”

“Nothing hurts more than family.” Urd quips.

“Or helps either!!” Keiichi manages out. Urd just points dryly for Belldandy. “Try the left pinky toe.”

“You mean this?”

“Whaha.. YEEK!”

Takano blinked and dumped K1's head. “What was that?” ..from both she and Mara, as Mara eyed Urd, the love goddess further imparting. “More than just a tickle spot, if you catch my drift.”

Takano just scooted away wisely as Belldandy blinked some more. “Wonder what that means.” ..and tickled it again.

Mara just jittered an eye as Belldandy kept making Keiichi yelp weirdly, quipping to Urd. “I don't want to know `how' you knew that.” Urd just looks back slyly. “Oh you can learn a lot about a person through tickling. It's more than just torture.”

“You hybrids would know.”

Most hear the new voice, as Sigrun walks by plainly, all but killing the mood in the room. Hirund just sighs and notes. “Guess breakfast is over.” Urd at this outright queries Hirund. “General, are you `sure' about her and Cousin?”

“Perfectly.”

“I agree.” Belldandy offers. Urd just sighs and opinionates, looking towards the open entrance slide door. “I'm not buying that just yet, if you don't mind.”

Keiichi and Takano just looked at each other, awkward positions on the floor for each notwithstanding.

Just then, a heavy clang of metal makes everyone and thing in the room (residence altogether no less,) jump once comically. Takano and Keiichi both look WIDE eyed as Hirund chuckles. “It would seem some stress is being let off.

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Takano and Keiichi just roll their eyes this time, the former commenting. “Can't they play nice?”

Hirund just took the banter up in stride. “Really? I've been curious myself.” ..this Belldandy of them all giggles, as two sets of Axes smash into each other without mercy. This mainly staying ground side this time, as Lind pushes forward her need to relieve stress, as Imlade holds ground for his own measure to the same.

The lot watch as the two warriors flip about their tools, Lind of note flipping and sliding her Axe with a smooth, though venting in motion with each movement, to stroke brutally into her love's weapon shaft. The bashing already is telling, as both, still in civvies, sport red welts to their hands.

Hardly an excuse to stop, (as each wouldn't care if they bled, and quickly approaching such,) as Lind flips her Axe from side to side to keep her movements on edge to force Imlade to do the same. Side to side to side, then high to hard DOWN stroke, before Imlade flip shoves Lind's Axe off, and twirls his Axe to then position it to shove level backwards the business end of his weapon quickly aimed at Lind, which is shoved unto at viciously. Lind quickly catches the lower end of the Axe blade `trio', though she has to lean back to keep an eye from being poked out. She growls her displeasure to this with a enormous shove forward, sliding Imlade back a good deal, before hop-skipping to being a massive high-overslash for Imlade to expertly block.

Keiichi winces at the sight of the blow. “I think `my' bones will break again at just seeing that!” ..this he's giggled at from a few sources. Keiichi also notes near the temple, the two still in attendance Infirmary goddesses, as Njal and Seren watch to their own amusement!

One of them however, whom is fore of the rest of them, and in mixed emotions at seeing this display of `basic' sparring, this as Sigrun cannot explain it to herself in watching.. They're just warriors. Why should I feel this way so much in just looking?

“Aww, did I make someone(s) mad last night?” ..this Hirund moshed `cutely' at the sparring duo. Lind just seethed out. “Uncertainty irks me!” ..and drove this home hard into Imlade's weapon again! The Knight Lord blunts this off and sidesteps to shove the shaft of his weapon at Lind's chest section, caught with a titan's screech of metal accompanying!

Hirund however cocked an eye towards.. “What? No words to choice even me with pup?”

Imlade blocked three more parries and tongue lashed back. “This stuff takes all my concentration General!! Focus even!”

Lind just beats words back further. “I'd like to see more `focus' at night dear.”

Imlade blanches back with a stumble backwards! “Not that again! You know how much trouble our kids would be if they turned out like us?” ..this as he stops and imagines like five or six mini-Valkyries, tearing across the temple and all to the breaking of everyone, (the world too.) It didn't seem that hard to fathom, for some reason.

Lind just rolled her eyes and knocked Imlade out of his stupor with a swipe of her Axe. “Your imagination worries me bloke.” ..and thundered a second time with her Axe! Hirund looked dryly for a moment, as Urd twitched her eyes. “I don't want to imagine what `their' kids would be like.” ..this Takano twitched `her' eye in simult. “I won't be their babysitter.”

Mara was about to comment as well, but a tink of metal catches her ear, and then her worry, as Hirund flicked one of her golden versions of a Valkyrian earring, into the air. The expansion of golden metal caught the two warrior's attention, as Belldandy noted. “Dear me, are you agitated now as well?”

“Aplenty.” ..half joking, half hardly `that', as the General decided to join in the `communication session'.

Imlade just broke parry with Lind and began to worry of a second frontal assault! “Okay, you got my focus too!”

“Does she want your child too Cousin?”

Keiichi twitters an eye. “Uh... Bell..” ..this as Hirund just offers instead with a twirl of her golden Axe. “You know, I never knew you would have turned out this way, on your own prime homeworld and all.”

“So what?” ..Imlade has time for before.. “Sampling doesn't do for the figure!!” ..as Hirund shoots in, causing Mara to fall over from back blast, as General and former Squire exchange blows this time! Lind watches for a moment as Imlade has to readjust to a fighting style he hadn't experienced in far too long! Imladris is flatfooted for a few blows until he catches up from readily available memory, the motions of battle finding equilibrium to them both.

Hirund soon comments.. “Impressive. I thought having Lind alone would have made you forget combat styles of others! You'll need that as a Master from now on!”

“I'm not fully sold on that!!” ..and stressed that with a tri assault of his own Axe to reel the General back with! Hirund sighed and heard upon that whinny tone before. “You're so difficult about that.” ..and then shot back to Lind. “I can use your help over in the here and now!”

The others watched as between girly screams, Imlade managed to hold off a brutal two front assault! (As if Lind needed further excuse to pommel the bloke further.) Belldandy kept beaming out in her own way. “They are so happy as a family together.” ..before she looked at Keiichi. “Wonder if we could have ever been like that?”

Keiichi just waved his hands.. “Sorry, I hate pain.” Takano rolls her eyes. “Not that again.”

This is however is put to a screeching halt, as Sigrun just spins around and shouts! “Will you guys can it! I'm watching a cool fight here, and...” ..a wave of her hand, emotionally done and all, causes a red-gray flicker of light to burst from it... “...eh?”

Urd and Bell blink. “What?” ..ala both, as the energy swirls about for a moment, and then jumps right at the three fighting of the War Section! “EEK!! Watch out!!” ..as Sigrun's shout makes the three sparring warriors to look a bit too late. The energy arcs to them, and then seems to phase out as soon as it gets to them.

Imlade.. “Uhhh..” ..as Urd quips.. “What'd you do?” ..this Sigrun snaps back in equally `Urd' like fashion. “How should I know?!” ...before the sound of Lind yelping surprised them all to looksee! “My footing!! ..as the Valkyrie stumbled without any apparent heed! Imlade reactively lunges. “Wait! I got.. ACK!” ..and somehow loses grip on his Axe, which trips him over reactively into Hirund! This causes the General to overreact! “Don't get fresh!” ..and moves to shove the knight off, but instead slips her `own' footing and causes her own Axe to fall onto Lind's head! The metal sound makes Imlade freak! “Lind!” ..as Lind just moans. “That hurt! I.. hey.. watch your..!” ..and is justified when Imlade forgets his lack of footing and falls with them all into a trio lump of bodies, two heads hitting even harder than the Axe had done to Lind's head!

Everyone else gasps as Lind `is' knocked out cold this time!

Hirund growls at Imlade. “I knew your hard head was trouble!” ..whom just looks all nice and anime dizzy.

Mara just looks at Sigrun, whom looks seriously pensive. (More Belldandy like than Belldandy looks with even at that moment!) “Okay girl, what the `hell' was that!?”

Sigrun for a moment only looks back blankly, as Imlade recovers and scrambled to cradle a dizzy eyed Lind!

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Lind jolts her eyes up. “Wha..!? Where?!” ..she stutters, looking around, at what looked like.. “A cathedral?”

Looking around, it looked all like a pearlaescent cathedral, light of Heaven shining through immaculate stained glass windows. The light of the interior was impressive, as was no less the white in white surroundings, save for the velvet purple carpet that ran between the seating pews, filled with souls that she knew by face, and by heart. She then saw to edge of view, to her right, sight of three familial Norns, all looking like bridesmaids...

..and then a gasp to look over the other way, of three souls, two Morisato, and one.. Master Thor? “What is...?!”

That's when she looked down on hunch, and saw her own gown, a slender and gorgeous number that seemed to reflect her original jumpsuit somehow, yet while...

..and that's when she realized, as a thundering voice struck her ears as the pastors spot was taken up by a massive Effadice, which could only be... “It's that dream again.”

“Bring our Honored forth to this day.”

Lind didn't need to turn back, as she `felt' the approach of one she dearly loved. She however blinked. “Wait.. it's supposed to be the other way around. Why....”

”The dream never truly changes though, does it not?

Lind gasped, as Almighty's voice tore into her mind, as.. “But how... in a dream... even `in' a dream?!”

As one armored and enrapturing takes spot beside her, Lind hears to the last. “But not on this day.”

Lind realized and...

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She snapped her eyes open, and saw the sight of semi-bruised lips trying to press against hers.

She punched the authoring face in kind.

“Cut it out.” Lind moaned as Imlade held his mouth, snapping at Urd. “Are you happy now Cousin?!” ..this Urd just shrugs. “I guess Lind isn't that type.” ..though Takano adds. “I did that to Keima-chan once. Kinda freaks me out too.”

Hirund of note chuckles as Lind leans up on her elbows. “You okay pup-girl?”

Lind just responded. “I was having the most wonderful dream again.” ..and looked around at the particulars around her. (Urd) “Except `you' were there.” (Mara) “Guess you were there.” (Belldandy) “You were there perfectly.” (Keiichi) “And handsomely too.” (Takano) “And you were there.” (Hirund) “You too.” (Sigrun) “And you too. Not sure why.”

Urd/Sigrun: “Well pardon me.” Mara: “Really.”

Belldandy asked. “Was it `that' one again?” ..this Keiichi looks over in confusion. “Huh? What `that' one?” ..this Bell just puts a finger to her own silent, giggling lips. Urd, also in the loop, also added. “Is someone `else' there as well?”

Lind smirked as Imlade sat back up with dizzy spirals (again) for eyes. “Yes.”

“Huh?” ..everyone is reactively forced to look at Sigrun, with Urd mocking. “What'd you do now?” ..this Sigrun growls. “Shut up and look there!” ..pointing for everyone to note the sight of.. “Eh? Who's that?” ..this Keiichi notes kooky eyed, as a strange figure in a gown is silhouetted ahead of some bright light. Mara just complains. “Okay, who moved the sunlight near the entrance?”

Imladris, slowest to respond due to pain, looks last, and is no less confused for a bit. “Eh? Who is that?”

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“No way! Now way! N'est pas! l'impossible!!”

Peorth streaked through the sky, as her original intent to take a saunterly flight to get away from the normal family chaos that adorned Keiichi's home anymore, quickly turned into a chase against a soul she did most `not' want to see, but knew that the speed he was approaching towards the same residence anyway, told her this person wasn't in for a social chat. (With her or anyone else.)

The fluttering of long dark hair, the scared face of untold battles, ragged cloth of tunic and breeches that had only leather straps from some foreign creature to hold his belongings, a few pieces of patchy armor that seemed to only make the rest of the person's body more bare, and a grim aura that was akin to those that slay others of chosen foe. The boots and ragged cape seemed to round out a way too ground in warrior of note, these things telling a tale to the eyes.

And the lance-blade in his hand told something `else' to Peorth as well.

She just blanched. “Can't that bouffon head anywhere simply and quietly?!”

And given how fast he was going, enough to keep Peorth from catching up like she `should' she knew the intent was lethal in intent.

Peorth however considered to herself. “But he only does this when there's a....... oh, mon Dieu!!!”

She pushed even harder across the sky.

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“/ Restoration complete Lady goddess. \”

Skuld looked back over from her check over of Banpei, as she and Sentaro had been doing, as a generic Illumina Synthetic unit finished standard refurbish work on Sigel. Skuld walked over and commented. “Wow, she looks almost alive.” ..as she leaned over and looked deep into new high tech access ports Sigel sported.

“// Bio-synthetic upgrades make biological distinguishing difficult in the Alliance. \” ..this Sentaro looks over. “Guess that means Sigel could almost pass as a human.” ..this Skuld quips back defensively. “I don't want them upgraded `that' far!” Sentaro just snickers at this, as the sound of footsteps catches their attention. Frigurina and Ichigo walked in from touring the `chariot', the latter still quite flabbergasted. “Okay, reality is stranger than fiction.”

Frigurina just giggled back, readily accepting Ichigo's stress. “My Nephew apparently had this vessel built to specifications, hence is his blame.” .never mind the `idea' came from a Higher source.

Sentaro just blanched at this. “Tell that to my sister.” ..this as a flick of Scetu's head, activates a holoscreen before everyone to their mutual left, as a hyper active Fusuchi just runs about all giddy through the vessel hallways and various technologically replete chambers and rooms. Ichigo just sighs. “Give a sci-fi nut an excuse.”

Skuld just giggles. “Actually throw fantasy in.” ..this even Sentaro moans at. “At least she's out of our hair, for the moment.”

Frigurina giggled further, noting that ever since they arrived via a setup morning teleporter beam to the salvaged vessel, everyone seemed `hectic'. The Illumina had finished righting itself, by then, from the previous day's trauma, and such to the sight of Scetu and a greeting party engaging duties while the guests were helped with taking Sigel and Banpei to be repaired. On the spot Fusuchi alone was a freak job through the ship. (And Ichigo just freaked.)

Course as Sigel and Banpei were scanned, Scetu offered helpful upgrades to let Sigel blend in better, and Banpei to increase his mechanical efficiency some more. The materials that made them both up were molecularly remeshed from earth base components, to ones more fit to Synthetic standard. Skuld at first worried that her hard work in creating them both in originality, would lose that. That all was, until Skuld was asked to oversee this refabrication, and then she appointed Sentaro her personal helper. Ichigo just sighed at the intent of all that, as much as how fast Fusuchi had zipped off to gawk at everything at the speed of light. (So it seemed at her obnoxious speed of note. Slowed down slightly since then.) In the end with Skuld's intense instructions, the result was the sight of two refurbished units that began to awaken, both realizing.

“/ Mis.. Mistress? \” Sigel noted, Skuld sighing in relief. “Good, the new memory iso-grams are holding. How do you feel?”

Sigel was silent for a moment, as her functions seemed to have quadrupled in basic capacity, and then hardware internal tests told her she was far advanced beyond `this' much. She `felt', and then looked at her arms, and could see very think blue bus lines glowing to her enhanced sensor vision. She eventually replied 12.7 seconds later. “/ Good. Very good. Should I feel this good compared to previous diagnostics? \”

Skuld smirked. “Better than what that solar flare did to you. Both of you had to be upgraded in part to protect yourselves from this incident in the future.” Skuld then looked up. “Does this mean you guys too need such?”

Scetu nodded. “// Even we did not expect such an electromagnetic disruption of such a scale. We need to implement the improvements the two of you have received, based off tests now inprocess. \”

Sigel looked up and gave Scetu a look over.

“/ Your bus circuits are misaligned. Should I see that as well?” \” ...this Skuld beams out. “Yup, my bots are more advanced now.” ..this Scetu dryly moans. “// My internal circuits are meant to be private. \” ..this Sigel quickly looks away from. Frigurina just giggles, as Sigel then realizes and looks around. “/ What about that metal blockhead? \”

Skuld thumbs over as Sentaro gives space to where Sigel looks now to see Banpei rising. The Metal red hat bloke in her life looks with glowing blue camera style sensor eyes, focusing to see Sigel for the first time in them. Sigel blushes her self impressed how shiny and Synthetic Banpei looks, as much as Banpei wobbles his camera `eyes' at how alive Sigel looks. Banpei adds a beep twill to this, which makes Sigel look. “/ What was that? \”

Skuld just explained. “He declined a vocal emitter, and decided to go with a electronic tone emitter instead. I think he didn't like having a regular voice, sort of a personality thing even I didn't know he preferred.”

Sigel just smirked (hiding a blush.) “/ Like I `need' to hear his whinny voice with words added. \”

Banpei drooped his head and gave a low dejected whistle sound to boot. Ichigo just professed. “I swear he sounds like that movie robot now! If he's got that picture ejecting thing, he's got it made.”

As if Banpei needed an excuse to show off his new holoprojector, as in fact Banpei had enough attachments in his abdomen unit to be `as' effective as a certain astro-unit, now. However what the image shown in this demonstration proved, also made Sigel jump up and stab a finger at Banpei!! “/ Why are you showing me in a French maid getup!?! \”

Banpei realized, looked at the image (which was making the others variously blush,) and then promptly whistled and shut off the image.

And then promptly was chased from one end of the ship to the other! “/ GET BACK HERE YOU JUNK SALE PILE OF A HEAP!!!!! \”

Skuld just gleeps out. “I guess those new hover-rollers work great.” ..this Scetu looks to the medical Synthetics. “// Keep a repair kit on standby. \” ..this before the Synthetic Commander turned. “// Please excuse me. I must attend to Master's other commandment. \”

Frigurina blinked at that. “Say again?”

“// Our Terra-orbiting kin. \” ..the Commander adds before striding out. Everyone gives each other a look, before Frig looks at Sentaro, (intending to amuse at Skuld's expense.) “So, did Skuld-chan deary do her job well?” Sentaro beams back. “She's definitely far smarter than I am!”

Skuld just blushes in retort.. “Don't encourage my mother!” ..which was the point of Frig asking. Ichigo just sighs at Frig the same. “I'd like to keep my youngster single for now, if you don't mind.”

Frig just comments back, not reserved about her intent in the least. “For now.”

Skuld is then heard growling low, which Frig smiles back unto and about faces to give an exasperated daughter some space again. Ichigo just shakes her head in her left hand and follows, since she seems to find solace in some measure with another motherly being. Sentaro just gulps at this and generally puts. “Now am I going to be able to graduate to School before or after the wedding?”

Skuld just spins and throws a good front of annoyance. “Mother just doesn't know when to quit.”

The next thing both hear unexpectantly, is the sight of the same motherly goddess having come back to find some kind of futuristic tool. She looks up and beams. “Sorry, forgot why I was in here for.” ..and fiddles around for that contraption she'd been working on, in her own physics defying clothing, on and off, for the past few Acts.

Skuld notes and then yelps `calmly' to Sentaro. “I don't feel safe in here suddenly.”

Sentaro just replies back. “I wanted to see the bridge here.”

As if Sentaro's arm wasn't worn out from being pulled along already today.

They soon reach the bridge, to a primary deck alive with advanced technology of other worlds, all which Sentaro just looks amazed at. “Wow.” Before he notes Skuld to his right, foaming and drooling at the mouth, all starry eyed. Sentaro nervously snickers, before he realizes and looks to his left, and sees Fusuchi doing the same thing!!

Sentaro swivels his eyes to either side blandly, before adding. “I don't think this place handles drool all that well.”

They all however are suddenly caught of ear, by a high pitched whine, off to their mutual right. “What the?” Skuld remarks, as a Comm-Unit handles holds his mechanical hand to right `ear' adjoining, listening. Skuld however hears better than the other two biologicals next to her, and hears. “That's Urd's voice? How did she?”

The Comm-Unit turns on hearing this, and offers.. “/ I suggest you hear this then Mistress. The voice is highly stressed in tone. \”

“When isn't she?” Skuld cracks and walks forth, with a two human entourage, as all listen as the volume is put up on surround speakers. Skuld listens, and then goes cold. “What.... what did she say?!”

--------------------

Imlade had about only a moment to stare, as he offers.. “I.... I know her. But...” ..this Lind looks over. “Another one from your sordid past?”

“Aw come on Lind!” ..he says, and gets ready to be decked again, Lind having Eihwa-esc visions once more. That is before a high locational echoing sound makes the figure look up suddenly, and speaks in a tone that makes the knight `recognize' on instant.

“Out of time already!”

Imladris gasps, to whit the others look. Lind seethes. “So it's true!”

“Not what you think.” Imlade has only time for before the unthinkable occurs.

In less than five seconds, two of the party watching are suddenly very much missing, and the rest see a LARGE creature in place of the dainty version that just kidnapped... “KEIICHI! BELLDANDY!!” ..Takano screams and then promptly faints for Urd to grab! Hirund just blinks as she sees.. “Impressive morphemic and speed capability for a dragon of such age and size.”

“NOT THE TIME!” Most around remark, as Njal then points up. “Up there!!” ..as they see two other figures chasing after the dragon! (Yes, a REAL one folks!) Lind notes. “Peorth... who's `she' chasing after!?”

Imlade just exclaims. “We can find out enroute!”

At this, Hirund, Lind and Imladris shoot up and after, as Urd just holds Takano's limp form. She just sighs. “Does life have to be this way?” ..this Sigrun shrugs. “Wish I knew.” Mara nods all the same.

Urd ignores Sigrun's conceited toned words, and then thinks, before looking back to the temple. “I know.”

--------------------

“Belldandy?”

“Yes Keiichi dear?”

“What happened?”

Belldandy fingered her chin, which was batted at lightly by her hair, whipping in the wind that was passing between them, as they... sat... in the massive claws of silver sheen in the daylight, even more chrome pure silver the claws at the tips. The grip at least was kind and thoughtful.

“Well... if I remember right, Cousin mentioned familiarity, and then... Lind accusing... and this lady, if the tone was correct with the body, that something was amiss.

And then she changed into this huge dragon, one quite old if I may say, and then Lind pushed Cousin clear, and the morphing dragon caught us instead. This which I think was deliberate considering how many were there to grab and all.

My these claws are so clear and polished.”

Keiichi just snickered... nervously... as he looked down at the enormous appendage that he felt surprising light pressure within. Certainly not a sign that they were in horrendously terrible danger. This of course assuming the claws didn't open for any reason, and drop them both from this magnificent height, and down to the very tiny streets and buildings below. Ones being obscured by the clouds they were apparently being flown through as camouflage.

He swore, Keiichi did, that the massive hand and arm attached, seemed to mesh within the clouds in passing, rather than just parting through them as a regular aircraft does. Even despite the speed given, noted by the heavy flapping of the widespread wings, one half he could see nearly into forever it seemed.

He then looked back and asked.. “Belldandy?”

“Yes dear?”

“Remember when we were like this with that... that.... that whale thing?”

“Schrodinger's whale? He was nice.”

“Yeah.... this isn't like that.”

“I guess not.”

A dragonly head smirked at the banter that seemed to used to the situation she just forced upon them. The reason is deadly enough as she senses behind her massive form, as a much smaller form keeps chase. Behind this unknown person, Peorth saw too easily what was going on now, and what the intent of the second stranger was.

She just seethed. “Either I've lost my place as fast in Heaven, or he's just as annoying as ever!!!”

The chase went like this as Peorth then saw where they were going. She kept comment to herself how lovely Mount Fuji was up close. This was cut short when.. “Peorth!”

She heard looking back. “Lind! We got problems!”

“One of us knows why and whom!” ..Lind says as Imladris just balks the same. “Why and whom shouldn't be able to BE here!”

Hirund just sighs. “Can't you cause anything but trouble pup?”

Peorth cuts off the same words in Imladris's mouth. “How is this Chevalier's fault? Even if it is.”

Imladris just ignores the added barb and imparts. “Um, to be as clear as much about it.”

Even the telling nearly made the goddesses stop cold in the sky.

--------------------

The voices that echoed in the Temple, seemed to only lessen the noise within.

“They... they went towards that big mountain upon that landmass has where Keiichi lives. Why are they doing that Urd?”

“How should I know?!!” Urd shouts back into the Comm device that connects Imladris to his vessel. “How fast are they going!”

“Over 70 Kph! There's a lot of jinking and shifting and... eh? No wait, MOM!”

Urd felt clammy all of a sudden, as Frig's voice suddenly came up.. “Okay, WHAT happened to my daughter!?”

“Some dragon took them.”

Urd grimaced at the blunt tone Sigrun took. “Where'd you come from?”

“Hey, I keep being forgotten about.” Mara adds beside Sigrun's left. “Making trouble can solve that again.”

“Sorry. And we got trouble already.” Urd imparted, before Frig's voice just stabs. “What dragon? Dragons do not exist on that world plane!”

Urd blinks. “Um.. mother... someone forgot to tell this one about that.”

“Shut it and get after them. I can see by these sensors who is chasing them.”

Sigrun nods. “The warriors, the rose witch, and some dragonslayer warrior.”

Urd cocked an eye. “What did you say?!” Sigrun.. “What? You can't tell by detail of that kind of cloth? Hild employs them often on other worlds for her needs and potions.”

Urd gulps. “Nice info, but...”

“Just go after them and help them already!” Urd just sighs to this. “Yes mother.” ..and after flicking off the Comm-device. “I think we got drafted.”

“Peachy.”

Urd cocks an eye at Sigrun. “You sound like Cousin already.”

“Cut it out, and let's go.”

Both head out from the main temple, but in so doing, Urd sees something that stops `her' cold in place! “No way!!! EEK!” Mara seeing.. “Aw crapola!”

“Watch it hybrid-bimbo! I almost.. eh? Who's that weirdo?” ..looking at some strangely dressed bloke with a weird harp of some kind, and a large, oversized, gaudy songbird on top of his black haired head. “Oh my Urdy Wurdy.. my Urdy Worldy, I found you once again.. once again... all once agaiaaiaian”

Urd jitters an eye. “You don't wana know.”

--------------------

Frig got huffy when her daughters were in danger. It was a motherly thing. Skuld just quipped.. “Is Big Sis okay?”

“Better by the time I get back.”

Sentaro just eyes `his' mother... “So you're not the only one?”

“You wana be sent to your room kid?”

“Sorry.”

“// What was that?! \”

Everyone looks as the Synthetic Commander looks up from hearing a Comm relay, and over to... “// Mistress Skuld, your servants found something unexpectantly. \”

Skuld just blanches. “I didn't install such things in them!” ..this Frig just bonks her. “Don't be lewd. What is it good sir?” Scetu just responds. “// Something that may explain some thing. \”

The confusion lasted un till they got down to an obscure deck of the vessel, in the engineering sections of the warship. They arrive to the sight of Sigel and Banpei, the latter with actual weapon ports open. (More than just mere tools installed in the upgrade.) Skuld jitters out.. “Uh, you can stand down.” ..as Scetu strides past. Sigel just notes with Banpei beep-squealing.. “/ You see, we were... SHUT it Banpei, I can tell it! Sorry.. Uh, You see, I was chasing Banpei-dope, and we ended up in here, and found this. \” ..she steps away, and sees a ruined engineering Synthetic. Ruined as in melted and scorched as all heck. The mortals cringe at the sight. Scetu nods. “// High degree temperatures... wait, what is this? \” ..as the Synthetic Commander looks nearby at an equally ruined piece of installed equipment.

Everyone notes as.. “What happened?” ..to Fusuchi's tone. Ichigo offers.. “Something hit them both, or did the device there blow up with that robot next to it?”

Scetu shakes his head. “// If it did, we would have known immediately, but.... wait.. \” ..as he looks and inspects, comparing to memory data files he demands on silent command. A moment later.. “// This was the vessel's particle shield array system. The one system meant to deal with hazardous space radiation, to protect this vessel from. \”

Frig just comments.. “Really?” Skuld nodding. “Maybe `that' explains why this ship got hit so hard. I couldn't figure out why this ship, so advanced and everything, would be taken down by mere solar radiation. The shields should have withstood all of that. It handles weapons fire, doesn't it?”

Scetu looks back as Frig beams proudly at Skuld. “// Properly they should. We use a separated shield bandwidth protection system that allows a few layers of energon to protect from all forms of dangerous criteria, this vessel is designed to encounter. The radiation and particle shield are on lower priority, frequency particle dispersions that... \”

“Uh. Japanese please.” Ichigo says, her brain already foggy. Scetu just offers simplistically. “// With this system damaged, we were vulnerable to solar flare radiation and electromagnetic waves. However there are backup systems to prevent what occurred, the shutdown and wipeout of core processing functions, all that are shielded by this system, not only externally, but through internal compartmentalized force fields. The turn over would have been short, and we would have known of cause. \”

Frigurina however offered something disturbing. “Unless it was timed.”

“Mother?” Skuld asks, Sentaro suddenly uncomfortable. Frig just asks quickly. “Tell me, do you have `any' memory backups for what happened just prior to the vessel being hit by that solar flare?”

“// We're checking that as you speak. I have also alerted the crew to search in all formats and diagnostics for anomalies. \” ..Frig just smirks. “My Nephew programmed you well.” ..she then walks past them all, and produces a glowing orb of green in her hand. Skuld asks `again'. “Sorry, but... Mother?”

“Suspicion my kith. I hope I'm wrong. Truly.” ..given something that occurred to her after Celestine reappeared. Something that that one Earth Spirit had mentioned, and then further investigation through her own sources while most were asleep.

She scanned the ruined bot with a palm spell scan orb or white-gray light, and the ruined device of decent size note, and in moments, confirmed a horrid fear. “How could she?”

“Uh... (number three..) Mother?”

Frig stands up and tells Skuld. “Dear. Compile with Scetu all data from this ship in the past one hundred hours. I'm heading out to check something else.” ..this catches Skuld off guard enough.. “What's going on Mother?”

Frig stops as she reforms her clothing into combat grade garb. “I'll tell you in about ten to twenty minutes. I need to have a chat like you had yesterday.”

Skuld realizes and then nods as she knew she had to be patient and focus. Frig just nods to Scetu and departs in a swirl of light, as Skuld asks. “Come on people, we need to go with this.”

“// Understood. \”

“If you say so.” Sentaro blinks as much as his kin do, before they all head back to the bridge to investigate, what was turning into...

--------------------

-Solar Corona-

...a frightening scenario.

“I AM UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY MADAM OF MY CREATION!!!”

Frigurina bowed, hovering over a roiling spot of solar mass. “I thank thee most mighty and life giving. I figured something was off!!"

The Solar Spirit just remarked. “IF I HAD KNOWN MY BODY MASS WAS AFFECTED AS SO, I WOULD HAVE HAD BETTER MY OWN VENGANCE ON THE CULPRIT!!! YOUR AUSPICE WILL DO BETTER TO BE MY REVENGE, WILL IT NOT?!!!”

Frigurina just growled. “It mightily will, by the affected Hand.”

--------------------

“I never thought I'd see Fuji from this angle.”

Belldandy just cocked her head, as their impromptu frequent flier points gain comes to a snow capped head, as their `transport' heads down at a decent angle, not too steep, but fast enough to make Keiichi reflexively grab hold of the massive talon that held him. The grip managed to not tighten much, though it was noted when speed was apparently also needed.

“We seem to be in safe hands.” Belldandy offered a moment later, though Keiichi just yelps back. “Why in the first place I.. YIEE!!!” ..and then those hands join the rest of the body, as the draconian author suddenly jinks hard down, and to the left, as the pursuer with lance almost gets a shot in! This starts a jinking series that reminds the two `passengers', the situation of demerit! “I feel sick!!”

“Hold on Keiichi dear!”

Further behind Peorth just growled.. “He's doing it again! We need to stop him!!”

Lind looks over.. “Does this mean...” .. “Il n'y a pas de quoi!!” ..and Peorth speeds off again. Hirund however notes. “I don't think she realizes their mutual spell.” ..this Imlade just cocks an eye. “Que?”

Detail boils down to the large silver dragon staying on jink and flight mote of a step ahead of a slayer with harsh intent, Peorth trying best she can all muster to catch, and the rest behind trying to variously figure all this out. Imladris however remarks after a short amount enough of this. “Answers won't come if my old friend dies prematurely!” ..this Lind and Hirund take the tone as serious enough to lend aid, all three piling on speed to close the gap up.

At the fore, Keiichi suddenly hears. “Hold on tight young humanoids!!” ..and balks!! “The dragon just spoke?!!!” ..a split second before the dragon makes a HARD one hundred and eighty degree U-turn and narrowly avoids a wide slash swipe from the dragonslayer's lance! The ones behind see and GACK at the sight! “Oh la la!!!” as Peorth dives down hard to avoid a head on collision that Lind and Hirund swerve to left and right just as respectively hard, but Imladris.. “HEY! I can't move!!!” ..as he then realizes a quick spell was put on him!! He has only split moment of time to see magical wisps fade from the dragon's right hand teeth, before he ends up in them!!!! “Imladris!!!!” ..a Valkyrie and General both screech! They however note the tail passing by with.. “S'arrêter ceci voyage pas encore!!” ..before Lind and Hirund join Peorth on a scream filled ride that jinks twice more before shaking loose an angry slayer, and heading back down towards the landmark volcano!

The slayer sees and snarls.. “Not this time you freak!” ..and chases after hard again.

Too hard, as.. “SLOW DOWN DRAGON!!” ..Keiichi yells at the eventual high pitched set of screams that end somewhere inside the snow covered volcano lip!!

--------------------

“I can put a hex on him.”

“Don't tempt me.”

Mara just shrugged as Urd looked at the sight of the `last' thing she wanted to see, as Troubadour kept following, trying to sing some praise, before Urd and Co. sped up, making him speed up and lose his bad song pitch. This went on about three times as the lot were trying to catch up, when Sigrun just snarled back. “Are all Spirits as dense as you?”

“But I'm here to help, this swear I must!”

Urd looks back. “Staying away from me will help most of all!”

Mara just snarled as much as Sigrun did. “I'm `really' thinking of a nasty hex you know.”

“I'm here on orders Urd deary!”

Urd snapped to a halt, Sigrun and Mara no less. “What orders?”

“By my word, I swear my Urdy.. eh..? Wait! Stop!”

Urd just snarls no less now with her hands at a half waving position. “If you can't tell me in five seconds, I'm hexing you myself!”

Mara smirks. “Cut something off from his `godhood.'”

Between whining at that last comment and trying to keep up anyway, Troubadour exclaims out.. “The Spirit Council sent me! I have.. ACK!!” ..and ends up upon Sigrun's back, and then n between two ordered sets of arms, as Urd snaps. "Okay, hold the dolt and let him squeal.”

Sigrun just cocks and eye, (and grabbing Troubadour's arms to a satisfying `ouch'.) “Should we let him explain and dump him anyway?” Urd however just sighs.. “Nah. Since this is the first time in my life I've heard the Council stick their necks out to send `anything', I guess he can explain a bit.

On the way, we.. hey, the fangs don't help Mara.” ...seeing Troubadour blanch back at them. “But I'm hungry for a plum.”

Sigrun just moans back at the Demon First Class. “Junk food is bad for you.”

Urd just `agrees'. “Some bad habits do need to be given up. Come on.”

Troubadour `yeeks', as he's dragged along this time, and prodded by some sharp `claws' to explain. “Th.. ow! The Council knows about what caused the earthquake here the other day! It's the same as what happened when that Gray Death was here!”

Urd yells back amazed! “How'd you know about that!?!”

“But deary Urdy! The Council trusted moi with stuff! Can't you trust moi too?! For my Urdy Wurdy! Don't you understananand? Understananand that my love for.. *MPHH*!!”

“Thanks Sigrun.” Urd admitted, the goddess of note and a piece of Troubadour's own cloth as the gag. Urd then comments. “Let's just find the others and get all sides of the story there.” ..she then adds.. “And hope Lind doesn't throttle ya again like that one time.”

The added muffled whimper just makes the demon and goddess to either side snicker.

The songbird flying behind just laughs at his Master's predicament.

--------------------

“I have you!!!!” ..the slayer shot in with, despite the haze of the volcano all about, and with honed memory of where his quarry was.

He shot in and saw something most unexpected in his path! “Arrêter!”

The slayer managed to bound upwards and avoid skewing Peorth in the process. This of course left him wide open for a large maw that shoots out and.. “You cretins!” ..and hence chomped down upon like a Christmas turkey on a Food network show. That is saving the `savoring' part, as the large head levels back down to where everyone else ended up, at the edge of a very large overhang lip, all cloudy and haze obscured. As the head levels down, the `captured' yells out... “Face me properly you heathen beast!!!”

“Heth hath ath badth tasthe.”

Peorth just moans. “Just spit him into that volcano then. I don't care.” .. “Hey!!” ..said slayer balks. Belldandy, ever by Keiichi's side, just scolds. “No one should be thrown away so rashly.” Peorth just quips back. “Only one being in Existence I'll conjecture `that' against.” ..which Bell just shrugs to. Keiichi just quips. “She don't like him huh.” ..bell actually then replies dryly enough. “Long story dear.”

“So.” Lind's voice then comes up, as she and Hirund are likewise over a drool covered knight. “Should we learn or remain ignorant to your past of present?”

Peorth just smirks. “I'm going to play that difficile.” ..Hirund just shakes her head. “And here I was teaching this bloke against such behavior for so long.” ..with a pat upon a soggy melon. Imlade just blurbs out.. “Too long.” ..and has his face mushed in dragon drool.

“Let me go heathen! I.. ouch!” ..before clamped down upon with more `pressure'. “Qwuieth.”

Keiichi just queeps out, all nice and jolly-freaked again. “Can someone give me a clue already?”

Imladris answers that off Lind's... “We'd like one too.” ..and said knight stands and slops some draconian slobber off himself. “Man, you still have bad chewing habits elder Lady.”

“So wath?”

Imladris just sighs. “You can drop him already. Peorth, if you would.” ..as said goddess just nabs the slayer's lance, and then the owner is unceremoniously dumped a moment later. The slayer is nicely covered in fresh drool, as the owner offers.. “I don't like holding live prey or captives like that. Such an ancient disdain.”

The dragon finishes, looking at one not seen in.. “Been what? Nearly eighteen years I'd wager?” ..by the said speaking Knight Lord. Lind looks between Imladris and the chuckling dragon. She then connects the dots expertly.. “Ah.. so `this' is Lady Irtasus of fame.”

The said silver dragon angles her immense head. “The fabled lady of steel blue hair.” ..the dragon replies. Imladris just chuckles as Keiichi quips. “Old friends?” Imladris gives a good smile back in kind.

“Why you...” ..the slayer tries to get up, and is promptly pressed down upon by a great foot and claw. “And you down fool.”

Peorth just shakes her head. “You never learned to let go of that greed of heart, did you Talos?”

Even Lind blinks. “Talos? The dragon slayer even heard of in the War Section?” ..this Peorth actually pulls one on Lind.. “Oui, a dragon slayer version of you.” ..whom has a nice and `dry' to return with. Imladris meanwhile just shifts questions back to a direct.. “Why the Light is a dragon of your type and stature doing on `this' world plane of all Prime planes?!”

Irtasus just replies just as directly. “I've lost my home mortal. My only recourse lay in your particular location.

I need your help.”

Lind and Imlade just look at each other, as Peorth just presses a foot on Talos's head.

--------------------

“I lost him!”

A silver haired General just replied to her raven colored equal. “It's a goose chase. We need to warn him fast. Now!”

Two Generals zipped with great speed from somewhere near the Andes mountains southern chain, leaving behind a chase that had been wild goose.

And planned as such by the former quarry.

--------------------

Skuld just gulped.. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“// This is why Master insisted on triple redundancy. \”

Skuld smirked over at Scetu, as another Synthetic unit replied. “/ An intruder was confirmed. 2.1 seconds before the device in question was damaged. \” ..this as a recorded image of several areas of the vessel had one bright flare in one image section, a short moment before `all' of them went dark, and stand-by images replaced them. “/ 1.6 seconds later, the high particle electromagnetic waveform overloaded all systems during a core system switch over protocol. \”

Scetu put it in such terms most terrifying. “// Someone knew something of our systems. In whatever manner it was done, it `was' done. Plus... \”

“Our enemy is amongst us.”

Skuld spun around, as Ichigo just growled.. “Cut that out!”

Frig just sighed. “You get used to it.” ..before Skuld just spat. “Mom, what IS going on here?”

Frig didn't mince words, which made Skuld go cold. “No way.”

--------------------

A draconian head didn't mince words either.. “By your timeline, a month ago it was, when my lair was attacked by a large mercenary horse of orcs, their numbers were like flies over a battlefield's wake, and their advance I only could hold off for so long, before I was nearly overwhelmed.”

Imladris had the face of shock incarnite. “But... I.. I remember how much you cared for that lair. Didn't you have more than..” ..Irtasus responded as everyone else listened intently. (Most of them anyway.) “They `all' were compromised. It's been that way for some many years after you finally departed my teachings.”

Lind of course just `pointed'.. “Teachings?” ..Imlade nervously.. “Not quite that deep. Well.. actually..”

Imladris stopped and gave the decently confused lot a look, before Irtasus just sighed. “Perhaps you need to enlighten them to our history.”

“I'm curious.” Hirund admitted, not knowing something of her godson's own life. It wasn't one part that was happy by far. Imladris just started.. “You guys remember the stories about what happened after the Invasion, and my first battle with Caceroth?”

The brows darkened considerably. Imladris skipped the dour parts to.. “Well, for a good... what.. two year span after I left Heaven, I was wandering.. very much wandering, not even sure what I was doing at the time. Even with my memories back now and all, that may have been the one time in my life I `truly' did not know what I was doing.

I must have went through more dungeons and towns than I could count. Everything was one word: Blur.” ..a sigh most thick. “I was lost.

And then somehow I ended up in this forested valley called Silver March or such, and somehow was wandering up into the adjacent mountains. And `somehow' again I ended up with this gal's face over my head!”

Irtasus just smirks, as she begins to shrink down.. “I didn't think that charm spell would be so effective.”

Lind kept up the dutiful jealous type. “A spate of fun was it?”

Irtasus in kind. “A Call from your own Master and Lord.”

They became riveted when Irtasus looked at Imlade. “Your concern grew past your tragedy young mortal. Even your prolong multiple lifespan was not enough to restrain His auspice, when your Master called upon my own, and through My Lord Ao, called upon me as one that apparently knew a manner over my thousands of years, to discern how best to resurrect a mind as lost as his truly was.

I had no idea then what would becometh of all such into the now. I learned as much as you did in those days, mortal kith.” ..by the time finished, had changed her form into a lithe form of a young lady in a silver gown and long silver hair. She walked up and gazed into the eyes she knew had changed for the `much' of better.

Imladris meanwhile saw the silver blue version, set in the reptilian mode.

And it seems.. “Forgotten about me ha... ACK!!” ..before Talos is pinned down by a set of nasty rose vines. “Stop being rouge. We're learning here.”

Irtasus then took a look over at Lind, and mentioned as if to defuse a potential threat. “You have no idea what effect you have on him.” ..a Valkyrie blinks.. “Meaning?”

“Be assured I never laid a claw upon him in enamoration. Especially in moments he slept. The days I spent with this humanoid, lent me to belief even I lost faith in.” ..and with a hand on Imladris's own. “Every last and singular night he slept, every day of napping mode, and every moment of rediscovery, kept aiming back to a single being he kept reminding himself over and over, more and doubly more when his mind became much softer to the approach.

Such was a mind beyond stoic that I gathered in, and released as a human that your Lord wanted recovered. At least as much my ability and time I felt able and palatable, allowed me to conduct by. I could not allow his retaining, and expect to induce further evolution and recovery by.”

Imladris just admitted. “I remember.” ..and looked at Hirund first. “Along with that commandment of yours.”

“I wouldn't make a robot a knight, you do know.”

Lind just smirked over “I knew of that much.”

“So then thank this lithe draconian for returning me to the base level I could `return' as at least the Squire I was beforehand Caceroth and all such unto Heaven.” ..Imlade admits, as the two warriors in love exchange a glance over to the dragon after their own version, before a knight feels his hand pushed into Lind's then held up own, as the author of this motion remarks. “And so through all that, I now learn who `was' the mystery lady I had to take a back seat unto. It would seem the worth is of merit.”

Imlade just bites his cheeks, as Lind flushes hers.

Keiichi just becomes ever helpful. “Uh.. and so despite gold dude had `another' admirer to go with all that?”

Imlade just moans. “That don't help.” ..as Lind adds possessively. “I like the `back seat' phrase.”

“She would.”

The obliging yank of heads over at a new voice that hardly is. The sight of Urd and her party however makes even Keiichi jump up! “What the heck is HE doing here!?!?”

Mara/Sigrun: “Good question.” ..as they dump Troubadour like a wet sack. (So said from all the fearful wimp crying.) “”Plwease take me baaaack my Urdy!”

Belldandy just claps her hands happily. “How wonderful, he's as longing for you as ever Sister!”

Urd just drags words through her teeth. “Please don't do that Sis.”

Even Peorth is caught off guard, enough.. “Mon Dieu, what else can.. eh? HEY!!” ..as Talos suddenly breaks free from the loosened vines of binding, to then.. “YOU WILL PAY!!!” ..and lunges severely at Irtasus! Even Lind shouts.. “No!!” ..as the lithe form draconian turns too late..

..but then in time to see Imladris grab Talos swiftly by the neck, sliding them both right to the edge of the overhang lip. At least to the point of a knight's feet at the edge, and a slayer's own hanging well past that point! “Knock it off!!”

“Not until she pays for her crime!!”

Gawking blinking continues all around, as Peorth scolds.. “Being a dragon is no crime you imbécile!”

The retort back of.. “She killed my family!!!! I'll have her spine as retribution!”

Irtasus just blanched. “What?!”

--------------------

Wind whipped by as did the storm they were flying through, heedless of the raging storm all around them, passing by somewhere north of Truk Island.

A raven haired voice just remarked.. “Yes?”

The other didn't need to glance reactively. “Yes.”

They kept their brisk pace even enough, as far as going through an equatorial pacific storm goes.

--------------------

“Hi everyone! I... eh? Where...?”

Megumi hops up the temple steps, happy as ever for `personal' reasons, though for once curious on her own family health. Behind her of course Keiba saunters up, but not close enough to see in time what Megumi does, as all there is to greet the daughter Morisato, is the motherly version whom is just.... sweeping. “Mo.. uh.. Takano?”

“Don't mind that dear. I got a headache.” Takano says with a bit of wary. Megumi in turn. “Uh.. where are the guys at?”

“Oh, out doin their usual thang.”

Megumi cocks an eye. “Uh...”

“Oh, nothin special. Just a dragon creature stole Keiichi and Belldandy, and the others went ta save them, I think towards Mount Fuji if I heard Urd or her friends yelling like maniacs and all.

I think some weird guy with a black head mop went after them, singing like a bard in a Vegas show.”

Megumi just sighs. “Ah. So much for Bell-chan's famous tea.”

“Actually she saved some. I needa calm bit too.”

By the time Keiba popped his head up.. “Eh? Meg? Takano-san? Um.... anyone?”

Probably best he didn't know the truth as yet.

--------------------

That problem was at merit of needed as a seething set of teeth clenched at the grip of a knight that had to disbelief the words being snarled out. “My home in the Marches was burned by her!! My proof is as positive as my sight of memory!” ..as Talos roared. “That witch of a saurian gutted my family blood from me!!!!!”

Keiichi just cocked an eye. “Was that cursing?” ..though hand shushed silent from Bell, before she calmly asked. “Can you show us this proof, Master slayer?”

“I'll mince no words in favor of mincing dragon's blood!”

“I think not bub.” ..Imladris clenched hard again, to a visible result. Peorth had to shove of disbelief as well, and demanded.. “Explanations may be of accord here Meurtrier.”

Talos however managed to crane his head to side glance at Peorth, before then retorting. “To think `you' of all former souls I know, would be of the side of my enemy. Harken is your fall then too?” ..which puts Peorth really aback, hurt no less. Still, Talos wasn't seeing a way out of the grip he was in. Sigrun of note asked to Urd. “Is that whom I fear that is?” ...this Mara answers instead. “Aye. A banner day for broken loves to be all in the same place.”

“Do you heed to try and listen to my words?” Irtasus asked, and of course. “Your words are pig swallow.” ..from a seething mouth.

“How about mine then Lhûg-Goth?”

Talos looked more focused on the owner of the binding hand, and replied between rasped breath. “Possibly Menel's Rochben.” ..and in turn. “My tongue holds no lie. If Lady Irtasus was the type you accuse her of, I would not be here to clench you neck.” ..and at that tosses Talos a bit too easily at Peorth's feet. The goddess just levels a heel upon Talos's right shoulder blade from behind. “I would remain still if I were you.”

Imladris just turned and asked Irtasus blunt directly. “Do you know of him, and of this family he accuses you of into death?”

“No. His face is the first I've......................” ..she stops and hazard's walking close to one all too willing to strangle her. Doing so, all she sees is Talos's hateful eyes, but also the detail of hair, skin and cloth. But also of smell, of aura, and more an ancient dragon would have knowledge of.

“Milady?” Imladris starts, but Irtasus replies for her own accord. “I `have' seen this being and his kin before.”

“I knew it.” ..of venomous tone.

“Alive.”

“Were before...”

“And `only' alive mortal.”

Talos stops his attempt of confirmation, as Irtasus tries to nail her words in of truth. “I feast on cattle and game given freely by the dizens of the March, not the owners or related kin. I mingle amongst them more than I even consider feat of. I save such dire effects for poor intruders that try to harm `my' family, and only usually after original spells to dissuade them fail for unknown reasons. In fact as of late, my focused energies have been to such an end for the past year of your life of the moons overhead. As if I have time for one so small to me.”

“Liar.” Talos did not relent in bigotry fashion. Peorth just sighed and gave Talos a good thump on the head! “And you wonder why `I' left you. Blind of mind.”

Talos just fired back. “I hold ill to that for `every' day since then deity.” ..which `again' winces Peorth facially. Keiichi then sticks his nose in.. “Hey! That's not fair to her! And answer us already dummy!” ..this begets a glare from Talos, and in turn a heavy stomp of foot from Imladris. “Answer him naïve!!”

Talos complies by reaching into and pulling out from his own backpack, a decent sized silver dragon tooth. “Here. See and relent to my `own' answer!” ..with a dull thud upon the ground, near Irtasus with all intent. A slender hand reaches down and picks it up. A intent glance over give another answer a moment later. “It is mine.

Long since grown back in.”

“Hah!” Talos says triumphantly at first, but this grabs Imladris's mind, and proves Hirund proud by starting. “When did the attack occur?”

“At least half a moon phase of Selune at least.”

Irtasus however blanches back. “Impossible! My departure was well before any phase was of revealing of herself!”

Keiichi.. “Pardon?” ..Belldandy. “The world they speak of has a moon, their lunar major is named after a goddess of said lunar ability and fathom. The phases of this moon is not dissimilar to the one of this mortal world.”

Keiichi tried to piece what he heard into something recognizable. “What.... a couple of weeks then?” Hirund nods for him. “Even dragon's refrain from being in two places at once.”

“But between two places just as fast.” Talos keeps accusing. Irtasus however retorts. “As if even `I' have the power to breach planar walls, even between Prime planes, with `that' kind of ease, and all such to bother with small beings in a township that means little to me now.

My own love and children were of my primary worry from moment of my arrival here!!”

Imladris quipped over off key. “You have kids?” ..this Irtasus cheerfully remarks. “Six of a clutch. You would `love' to meet the father.” ...Belldandy on excellent cue. “Oh I'd love to see your children as well!” .. “Sooner than you think Lady Goddess.” Irtasus offers back with nigh equal cheerfulness! Mara just blanches. “Maybe you should wonder about your own kids soon.” Keiichi. “Aw come on Mara!!” ..with a blushing Bell.

“HEY!” Talos snarls to garner attention, and Peorth `really' hit him this time! “Can't you stop being a narcissist for a moment?!”

Imladris just remarks, heedless of Talos. “Our slayer friend, pray their souls of salvation, lost his family two weeks `after' Irtasus arrived here, saying she was here on this world for a month? And `I' for one take her word for such, at least as a payment for salvation rendered.

Framing is a word I'd angle towards here.”

Irtasus just sighs and slumps to the ground, quite near Talos, to her uncare. “I fear I may know whom. The threat has been grown ever since you left my care knight mortal.” ..Imladris looks down suddenly. “Explain please?”

Irtasus then goes the long route to this end. “After you left, I became empty to heart. I filled that with a love from the lands of Cormyr, after Yaltros was driven from there by adventurers of greed. We met and binded out pact in love, as I helped him recover most of his hoard. With ours combined, we began a new chapter in life.

And then for no apparent reason, a dark enemy equal to us both, began to make trouble. For over ten years we fought off ever brutal advances, which culminated in the assault of orcs that forced me to call on a return favor from your Lord and Master.”

“You contacted Almighty directly?”

Irtasus to Imladris.. “For only to locate you. The reason lies in the nature of the enemy I faced. It seemed to equal the one I was told of your own vehement nature. One even worse that this fool beside me.” ..which frazzled Talos like nothing else. Imladris gulped and looked at the others, Lind of note. “Would such mean to me not speak dare of?”

“If I may.” ..all of a sudden a spirit voice pipes up. Urd just moans. “Must we?” ..though Troubadour immediately retorts. “I speak for the Council, not for you, surprise such may be.” ..which catches Urd off guard. Belldandy of note remarks. “A serious tone to speak for the Council of Spirits?” ..which Sigrun just twitters an eye. “How does she know like that?” ..Mara.. “It's a First Class thing. Probably canon manga thing too.”

Troubadour nods. “More than. I am their sent representative. Apparently now the Spirits have taken an equal interest in goings on here, as much as the Twin Systems do.” ..which makes even Mara blink. “Wow. One step above full idiot status now.” ..which makes Troubadour cry. “I hearken to such kind words. Tell me more.” ..which Urd rolls her eyes. “You're about to down that notch again bub.”

Belldandy just asks. “Please tell us what you know, noble Tree Spirit?” ..which Troubadour blushes unto. Keiichi behind remarks proudly. “Yup, she's good.”

“V.. very well. I was sent here with no forewarning, to forestall by words, the threat that has lain harm to even the Earth spirits in these past few days. I tell you now, the energy they fed off of, was retching to them in the day or so after the quake event here. I know all of such that happened, by encoded information I was allowed, by both the Council, as well as allied emissaries from the Heavenly core.

An outside force affected the event before hand, and caused it.”

Hirund just asks to this. “You say this is related?” Troubadour nods stiffly. “I say it apparently more. Power waves were most foreign in this case. May I see that claw, and possibly confirm a suspicion?”

Irtasus blinked at that, and handed the claw.. “Tooth actually.” ..to Troubadour, whom then waved his right hand over the left held tooth. A green colored spell sphere surrounds the tooth, Urd gasping in surprise. “You were raised to Prime Spirit Class!” ..Troubadour concentrating most unusually on something else for once, and then garnered results when a shocking gasp is returned from the sight of burning gray spell runes.

“Soulless code!” Imladris snapped on instant recognition. Irtasus nods. “My enemy had such powers at the time of my final escape. I sensed them about two of this world's weeks ago, prior to the events here I know of full well.”

Troubadour nods. “We of the Council agree, such is my voice to say so of.”

Urd then spikes her voice. “Cousin, I think we better contact Mother.” ..and tosses the Comm-link to him. He however blinks. “What? You can't do it?” ..this Urd just snaps comically. “That thing gives me the creeps! Just call! Mother was worried about you guys.” ..a look to Bell and K1. Irtasus explains at first.. “Sorry for that. I was intending to grab Imladris, but also knew grabbing you two were essential to his loyalties. Either seems to have had the intended result.”

Keiichi just droops his head. “I hate being used.” ..and patted cutely by Bell after. Imladris leveled his own accuse before turning away. “You've kept an eye on us all, now you have.” ...and did not need to see the smirk in said kind. Imladris had darker thoughts to worry over instead. “Scetu, or whomever wants to, come in please.” ..into the Comm-link.

--------------------

“Yes. A Soulless foe attacked this ship. Apparently the solar flare event that affected even you was of the same cause.”

Frig's voice was of iron into the mountain. The hearing amongst the `crew' nearby was of ice water in spines. Imladris's voice came back, knowing the same words were heard about him below. “So an enemy is of Voluspa? You mean, if I dare, that the earthquake, the solar flare, the damage to myself and us all variously, and unto Lady Irtasus is of all the same mode?”

Skuld speaks up of knowledge of transpired events. “It can't be Caceroth though! He can't return to that planet!”

“It's not Voluspa either. We `would' know if that occurred.” Imladris enunciated.

Frigurina threw the probable into the arena of thought. “I wondered if that Seer would use another method.”

--------------------

Keiichi blanched.. “You mean that thing that wants to kill me for her to show up, is using another thing to get to me!?”

“Me first it more seems. Of some combination of us both.” Imladris replies, and then `replies'... “As if `Her Will' will see such an end on my watch.” ..of mocking a tone to defeat such thoughts by.

Talos just tried to sneer out. “So this witch and this enemy are the same and on.... GURRACCKKK!!!” ..which was a one way ticket to seeing the same hand of knightly clench, and worse, the eyes of flame Talos would define terror by for the rest of his days.

Imladris even made Hirund fearful for a moment, as Imladris set the dragonslayer straight. “Lady Irtasus is no Soulless. Insult such a thing again to your death, if you speak ill of such ever again!!”

Talos was all visibly struggling at this grip this time, when Peorth very much pleaded.. “Release him Chevalier! I'll take his ill to my heart if you will allow forgiveness!”

A knight looked at the Admin, and then shoved the grip away, leveling Talos to his backside, before venting the rest of his anger and fist in directed fury, into part of the volcanic wall facing behind him! Bell of note jumped into Keiichi's arms, as Imladris seethed out with nothing else equal to this hatred.

Some blood seeped from the wounds made.. “Wretched Soulless cowards!” ..and then thrust his voice into the Comm-link. “Can you tell where this agent of a fool is Migoddess?!”

---

“Calm you soul and voice first knight.” ...Frigurina made enough steel in her voice to ensure the result came along enough. “Anger is our enemy's tool, not our own. The lesson should be bare to you already.”

“Still.” Imladris asked calmer.

Scetu spoke up first. “// We are using the scans from the attack to attempt locational correlation. The world below is still effectively large to conduct such ability upon.”

“Time is not with us though.” A Master remarked a bit too calmly. Frig then looked over at Scetu. “What would it take to increase resolution to scan with?”

“This ship is atmospheric capable right?”

“What did Skuld say?!” Keiichi shouted out, before Imladris `nodded'... “It is for large scale ground support operations. The ship would be readily visible to the residents of this planet however.”

Frig smirks as Ichigo gleeps. “Oh sure, wide mass panic is what we need.”

“Only if we time it right.” Skuld remarks. Frig really smirks, as Sentaro and Fusuchi look at each other. Scetu then remarks. “// Would this not mark us as a target instead? \”

Frig retorts to the Commander. “As my daughter just said. It would seem we've all been at the untold mercy of an enemy that has been conspiring against us in a manner consistent of Her intentions. Might as well return the favor.”

“// I believe there is merit there. Mistress... \”

The onboard souls looked as Scetu brought up a hologlobe image of the planet Earth, which of note is centered upon two blinking dots. Frig blinks... “How the heck did they get here?” ..as Scetu interrupts queries over Comm, and comments.. “// They seem to be heading directly towards your approximate position Master. The sensors picked them up on an initial cursory scan of the island chain local area of habitation. \”

“Efficient as always.” Lind's voice complimented. It's added.. “We'll go check on this.” ..comes Urd's voice, though Hirund's then stabs in. The intent was for her, Mara and Sigrun, the latter of the three whom follows in amazement of being wanted for something. Frig then comments.. “Can you give the communications device to Lady Irtasus, Nephew?”

---

Imladris did so without hesitation. “Here, just speak into it as if it was anyone else of face and mouth.” Which Irtasus grasped ability well enough, leaving a moment for a knight to look at the charges he was originally tasked to protect from the built moment of current type. Bell and Kei just return this glance, before Imladris then calls out. “Someone heft the fool up please.”

Talos, still shaking from such strength of fury, is picked up by Peorth deftly enough. Lind then takes a spot between Slayer and Knight, as the latter turns and asks as ever bluntly. “Who sent you here?”

Talos blinked back. “Some being that said he saw that heathen kill my...” ..he stopped cold as the gaze turned harsh. Peorth just looked at Lind to defuse all this with conjecture. “Lady Irtasus said it took her...”

“It took much of my power to come here.” Irtasus helps, before continuing on. Talos however accuses. “You beings seem set on believing her over anything I say. Why bother asking me anything therefore?”

“Because I can tell when someone has been set up.” Imladris quips, Lind adding.. “A dragonslayer sent to a world devoid of such creatures of kind or similar make in untold ages of time of this world plane, suddenly sees a dragon retreat here under apparent duress, and whom is sent to follow but a slayer that is all too willing to be blinded without further thought.

And one I know has not the magical talent to create a trans-portal spell on one's own accord. I `can' tell you that much.”

“So if true?” Talos admits. Peorth just fingers his cheek. “Why did my amour choose you, muddled dope?” Lind then quips over. “Is that why you were after Keiichi for a time?” ..which balks Keiichi afar!! “Bad time for memory lane Lind!” .though Bell just adds on cue. “Such a charming time that all was, compared to now.”

“So you fell for that bloke yonder?” Talos snipped to Keiichi's and other surrounding reactions around. Imladris just jumps on that on equal cue. “That would be my Lord you speak of. A loyalty and respect I give openly, unlike for you here `bloke'.”

Talos just keeps his edgy voice.. “Is there a point?”

Imladris complies the `point' with his nose nearly touching Talos's. “You might gain mine as well with some open minded thought. Whom sent you to conduct a manner you see through only tunneled vision?”

“A being in a dark cloak, a voice that told of old age, but seemed little else dire to him. I've dealt with so many contract from all manner of beings, I learned not to look the fee in the hand given.”

“Mercenaire imbécile.” Peorth chastised in response. Talos however snapped back. “I did it to support my family. My mother and sisters were my world to me after you cut me off in heart! I make no regrets for my ways therefore.”

“I know that feeling.” Imladris relented, which surprised the slayer. Lind remarks. “Your dragons slain for attempts to regain memories that Caceroth sealed away?”

“If only I had known back then. Even if they `all' were of vicious temperament and actions.” ..the knight looked at the slayer. “I at least knew of how closely to look at the opponent I slain. I also know what it's like to be used to another's end.

That's why I ask of whom sent you here now. The coincidence is too clear to me.”

Talos wasn't sure how to consider that. He instead then remarked.. “If you must know, the being `did' seem a bit too dead to me in feel, for my tastes. The last time I felt such, was in the lair of a dracolich I.... I had..... by the gods.”

“It is as I feared then.” Frig's voice comes up from the Comm-link. Imladris just agrees. Undead for a Soulless, what else is new?”

And then the noise started to come, almost on destined effectual.

--------------------

Urd, Hirund, Mara, Sigrun and Troubadour all went as one robust, if disjointed group. (The latter most noted trying all endearingly to sing praises to Urd constantly enroute.) Urd just moans to Hirund. “How come Heaven allowed that bozo to come up yonder in the first place?”

“Do `I' look like I deal with the Immigration Section? Come on, even I have limits.” Hirund balks back. Mara then asked. “Then how did Imladris get past?”

“Wishes supercede all other aspects, especially when the Almighty wills it.” Hirund answers, which makes Mara blink dearly. Sigrun comments.. “Father wanted my new Master to be amongst the high that much?” ..this Hirund continues hence.. “His Eminence wanted the `tool' that much. But there's more even I suspect, you allude unto.”

Urd just sighs. “Father ever magnanimous.” ..before she looks up and sees with clarity and `far' vision.. “Here come your Sisters, Hirund.” ..this she nods, but then stops cold, all of them do, though Troubadour smacks into Urd's back. “Ow! Urd! OUCH, Urd my neck!!”

“Watch your flight path dope!” ..before Hirund snaps. “They have company!!!”

In ease of an all too passing moment, the sight of Mist and Rend appear to close in vision, as does the sight of something large and bony racing after them!! Rend sees ahead of her and shouts LOUDLY. “The Soulless mercenary is on our six good souls!!!”

Hirund just snaps. “South!” ..and the lot follow Hirund's lead, as a huge pursuer banks right behind.

“Hide from me if you wish, my smell sniffs your terror in blood!!” ..a grating voice of draconian tone snarls.

--------------------

Imladris shot his head up, but Talos speaks.. “Xarltoran!! I don't believe....”

“My enemy is here and now!” Irtasus snaps in kind, the slayer balking.. “How do you know...?!”

“Because you fool, that thing has been trying to kill me and my family for over fifteen years!! That voice is as to me, as this Caceroth is to Imladris!”

Lind just snaps to her lover. “We need to see where they're going.”

“Not yet, I can sense the thing far too near.”

Belldandy stands. “Would it have the same problem Caceroth nearly had on you Cousin?” ..Imladris shakes his head assuredly. “No, not even Caceroth has that kind control anymore. The sensory comes from Almighty's access programs I was entrusted. The thing is being led south from here.”

“WHAT!??!”

Everyone looks as Irtasus stabs out further.. “My clutch is south of here!”

“Not `here' too?!” Imlade shouts, Irtasus shakes her head. “And lead that thing so directly?”

Imladris acts fast of thought. “Lind, take Peorth and Talos and head off the others, then head north instead, a general direction. I'll distract the beast!”

Imladris just feels his shirt collar pulled to a full facial Valkyrian warning. “Dare not die on my watch warrior.”

“And miss out on this?” ..before he pulls away and flare flickers into armored mode. Lind looks over as she and Peorth form into combat jumpsuits. “Belldandy, I'd hate to say it, but remaining here and..”

“I'll protect Keiichi with my life.” Bell says in core understanding. Keiichi just moans. “Might as well, this leg is still a bother.” ..he pats his still healing leg, shown by his wincing reaction to it. Lind nods. “Be safe.” ..and shoots upwards. Peorth grabs Talos and follows. Talos of course balks.. “I can fly of my own enchanted accord!”

“Save it, we can't have you flying off the handle on us.”

This leaves Irtasus to glance over at the goddess and mortal remaining. “Apologies for my actions prior hand.”

“It was a fun ride.” Belldandy hardly lays blame unto. Keiichi just asks instead. “How many doodad wands do you carry?”

“Many that my scale folds can hold as jewelry.” ..and then she shoots up to follow by spell aided fashion, not remorphing into larger form as yet. Keiichi just sighs. “Women and jewelry.” Bell just smiles back. “Is it not a proper failing?”

Keiichi just smiles openly back.

--------------------

Urd yells ahead of her.. “I see you two were being secretive!”

Mist just points at Rend. “It was her idea.” ..whom makes a face back, this before a noticeable roar occurs behind them. Sigrun just yells. “We can presume that is our culprit of central note.” ..this looking back at what is essentially a tremendous skeletal dragon behind them! The sight of trailing gray dust wisp `contrails' however tell there's more to this than just some mere lich creature.

As if that alone wasn't insane enough to sight. Rend just shouts.. “We came here after a report from Almighty himself to check on Lady Irtasus's old lair. We trailed spell components from a gating to this world of all places.”

Mara adds... “Everything here seems related to that thing. Just great.”

Just then a heavy slamming sound makes them all look back.. “The dragon!” ..Troubadour yells, as the skeleton is shoved suddenly to the left of their southerly path. Just then.. “Là-bas voici!” ..as Peorth and a head angle focused Talos are seen.. “Who is that?” Mist asks quickly. “Another problem.” Lind's voice adds, before they all hear harsh draconian screeching, as he sight of the dracolich Xarltoran reacting to what smacked into it. Hirund notes. “He's got the thing's attention. We need to head another direction fast!”

“Pardon?” Rend asks, before the last figure to join the party appears, Rend amending.. “Lady Irtasus!”

“You're heading towards what's precious to me.”

“Which way then!” Mara shouts, before a stranger sound makes them all look. Thought of escape turns into something entirely else, and turns an ally into an enemy before they can react! Lind then shouts.. “NO!!”

--------------------

-one moment prior-

It didn't take much at first, since surprise was on Imladris's side, such was how he meteored in and slammed into Xarltoran's right side! The sight of that much bone matter writing in sudden pain gave the knight a smirk.

“Teach you to mess with my family.”

The large dracolich's head turns suddenly at the intrusion. For a moment, little is said, as Imladris realizes he's being recognized. And then that first loud screech the other's heard is snarled out. “Her Will's great Enemy!”

“And?” Imladris snaps, hardly caring.

The next moment later changes that. The growl of a seething tone that eerily reminds Imladris of his Nemesis calls out. “And you should know better to underestimate a Servant of Her Will!”

Imladris pulls, back defensively, but then Xarltoran `breathes' a unfresh blast of a form of a dragon breath weapon, one that Imladris is shocked to see come in the form of ashen gray Soulless code! “What the?!?” Imladris throws an Incarnum Shield up, but the burning gray code somehow zips past the barrier, and stab into his body!!

In all too short of split seconds, Imladris' knows something is endlessly wrong!! “What's going on! My body!!”

A harsh retort quickly stabs in from Xarltoran.. “Everything about you was in Caceroth's code when you killed him the second time! Yes. Yes I know the full story, as it was relayed to me, to ensure I send you this message, as She uses `you' to her end in the here and now I was sent for!!!”

Imladris tries to struggle, but to even do `that' is betrayed of him, as he feels his body utterly controlled down to even where his sight is! Somehow he still feels his mind and eyesight enough, not needing much to guess why. Xarltoran then snarls.. “Yes... She knows all about you! What better to complete her Will by, and avenge her true Son!”

Imladris manages a shocked gasp! “What did you say?!”

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” A shout rockets in, as Lind shoots in at light speed! Xarltoran just reacts by shoving Imladris with a weapon drawn and forces him to block her attack!! Lind shouts! “Move!!”

“I cannot! My body's controlled!!”

“The `other' obstacle.” A deathly voice growls out, Lind reacting viciously with her glare.

--------------------

Frig just felt to her shock.

“Bad.... premonition unto bad.”

Skuld just felt her spine go cold.

“Oh no.”

--------------------

(End Act IV-a - Vol. II )