Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Mirror ❯ Act V - B ( Chapter 7 )

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

Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Mirror

Volume II

Act V-b

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“è questo senza fine?”

Ex's voice just creeped out with.. “At least the event is contained below dimensional reactions at the moment.”

Eihwa however whispered. “One larger picture is at least in equilibrio stabile.”

Most of Hub was trying `not' to be transfixed on the battle below this time, but word was spreading fast once again. A common occurrence that was `anything' but common. The details were still difficult to discern from `this' distance, but enough were known to make even Heaven pause.

Eihwa just worried of another Wipe if this grew out of hand.

Calm thyself of such a fear.

Eihwa stiffened, as the One voice filled her. She then thought back. The fear is real enough, to sight and soul alike.

And in return. Keep of your faith, as should never be failed unto.

Eihwa blinked at that, just as Ere asks.. “Administrator?”

Eihwa looks and then `settles' herself. “Keep all systems stable on our end. We need to keep our faith in them on below.”

The three Operators nod and work their harp-consoles with swift precision. Eihwa then folds her arms as Test of Purity emerges on it's own whim and hugs her mistress from behind.

“In Buona fede.”

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

A Norn sees and nearly breaks, heart and emotion alike!

On sight of what happened to her Cousin, and Lind's reaction, Urd almost follows, but Hirund restrains her. Sigrun doubly so by Mist and Rend combined! Hirund... “Don't be rash, it's still a Soulless!”

“So then what!?” Sigrun snarls, betraying a loyalty most fresh and nascent. Mara just snarls at the reactionary sight from afar of Lind's failed attack. “Okay, something's thrice as wrong now.”

“Do we run, or do we fight?” Troubadour asks quickly, Hirund just remarks to that with a pull of her earring. “We delay for time.”

“Let me go and help at least!”

The look at Talos then begets a response from Peorth. “It seems he's fought the lich before as well.”

Hirund just sticks her golden Axe at the slayer. “You keep one target in mind, or I'll choke you myself.” ..and a warning not unheeded. “Fine. I'm starting to suspect anyway.”

“S'éveiller être nous?” Peorth snips, as she lets Talos go. Hirund then exchanges a look with her Sisters, and then to... “Eh? Where's Lady Irtasus?” ..everyone looks around, before a loud clang forces attention back to the problem at hand. Urd just shouts. “What now?”

“Follow our lead!” Hirund says, the three Generals then launching themselves at their target, the rest following for a moment, before the Generals split three ways, Hirund shouting out.. “Your six Lind!”

Lind reacts by zipping upwards, before a large bolt of light shoots in and smacks Imladris directly!! Xarltoran snarls.. “Fools! My controls goes..”

“Shut it wretch!!!!” ..as Talos shoots in and makes a good swipe of his lance! The dragon reacts by throwing up his own dark shield of gray `energy'! “I beg to differ tool!!”

“What!?” Talos yells, before.. “Release him!!” ..from Mist, followed by a three prong spell attack from the Generals! Fire, Water-Ice and Nature-Earth energy spells shoot in three ways on the lich, the spell taking great pounding, before it's followed up by Urd and Mara shoving Heaven and Hell Thunder-Lightning magic as well!

Sigrun sports near Lind, whom shoots in and aims right at Imladris again! Sigrun follows, but stops and sees from high above! “Incoming!!”

Xarltoran's focus is then added by a high on attack by the full form and force of a silver dragon equally enraged! A Cold breath weapon attack SLAMS into much of the Dracolich's form, a great Soulless screech sounding!

Lind as this occurs slams full force into Imladris, screaming.. “How is she controlling you!!”

“She somehow got Soulless code past my shields!” Imladris shouted, but cannot react otherwise, as his body is now `frozen' from lack of direction. Irtasus meanwhile shouts.. “Now you will pay for all your suffering for us all lich!!!”

Before anyone reacts further however, a large Soulless code pulse SLAMS out and throws everyone back!! Imladris screams!! “Dammit no!!!!” ..as all he can see, is a bunch of goddesses, a demon and a Spirit suddenly sporting gray code `burn spots', as if of the ancient day of Invasion memory!

“IMPOTENT FOOLS!! My power is equal to what you failed to eradicate on the past day, that was to by my Seer Mistress's True Arrival!!!”

Imladris shouts out, trying to buy time. “How can you follow one that wants even `you' obliterated!?”

Xarltoran obliges.. “As if my current form `is' of life. Only a thousand years after I turned to this form at my natural life's end, did I see and feel how hollow I felt in ALL things!

Her Will and song is all that needs to make sense now, as it is my only true path to satisfy assurance, against all to suffer for their lives, as I no longer such have! Such I love my spite fully unto!!!” ..this Imladris seethes.. “And of me?” ..buying more time.

“Whom else more perfectly, than the instrument of the Will of the One that stole my Lady Seer's visions for His False own!!! You will allow me the privilege to deny even Lord Caceroth, the ability to satisfy vengeance for Lady Voluspa, as only you could have stopped her from arrival!! What better to deny you such than to use you through her knowledge of you!!”

And more time.. “So Voluspa fears me that much?”

“The death of her only wanted Son took her much time to resurrect from. While He of Wraith may have returned to conduct the same affairs, it is `I' that is allowed passage to this world, to vent her wrath upon you for!!

And now I have so done such!!”

Imladris just cracks with full mocking intent. “Still, you are no `true' Soulless. Your Oblivion is assured to be more painful than you are promised. You are no more a tool than I am.”

“And what of me by chance?” Comes Talos's voice, whom hovers nearby, somehow also covered in gray splotches. Xarltoran sees and remarks mockingly.. “Who better else to send than one that kills dragons blindly! To think killing and framing was such and ease of things!”

Those listening wasn't sure what was worse, the sight and sound of the lich as it told such horrid truths, or how `easy' the being was doing it, with a tone that was hardly sound anywhere near insane.

In fact, Xarltoran sounded far too stable in voice. It made it all such the more terror floating before them.

Talos reacted appropriately! “I'LL KILL YOU!!!!” ..and lunges directly at the lich, only to have a forced knight to block him with in response! “Move!!”

“Wish I could by damn and divine!!” Imladris shouts, getting sick of this state of affairs! Xarltoran then forces Imladris to parry several more shots before the controlled shouts.. “Someone knock me the frack out or something!!!”

Talos then suddenly is forced to flip away as Lind shoots in and nabs Imladris with a full body tackle!! She shouts her own.. “Keep the dragon busy!!” ..which is done as Irtasus then suddenly body slams Xarltoran from above, and the two wrestle while Urd shouts.. “I don't think we're doing much!”

Hirund then flares her arms wide and aggressively.. “Shield from sight in a blast of angry flame and accouterment of screen, and spread them to occlude the Enemy from our destination!!”

All of a sudden, a massive sunburst ring of flame spreads out as if of a solar prominence, and with it from friction, a great deal of smoke! Mara just shouts.. “Works for me!!!” ..as the flame and smoke wall reaches and disrupts Xarltoran's acuities for a moment. However.. “BLAST YOU SEEDS OF LIGHT!!” ..and makes a good swipes upwards, which connects with a part of the silver mass, just as Irtasus begins to retreat.

Xarltoran however is distracted from this by.. “Wonder Sister's powers activate!!” ..just before a light flare from off Xarltoran's right hand side, then is followed by twin lances of Water-Ice and Nature-Earth energon lances of blue and green, crushing into the dragon's skeletal form.

By the time the monster recovers from the assault, he knows his quarry has retreated.

He only smirks to the cracking of his ancient bone meal `flesh'. “I already see your minds through his.”

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

They all just raced to the deepest reached of forest amid the nearby landscape, nowhere near far enough away from sight of their enemy, and the haze Mist threw up was more of a detriment. “Okay, this landscape should be more fog prone around here!”

Rend just rolls her eyes. “Sure, blame the planet mind and soul for your lack of foresight.”

“Irtasus!” Urd shouts as the lady dragon of ancient silver lands in humanoid form, and with a good red claw streak across her chest. She lands to her knees, and to the reaching arms of Sigrun and Mara! “I.. I'm fine. Looks worse than it will be in a moment.” ..this as the dragon's hands are glowing green from an obvious healing spell. Urd just remarks.. “I see you keep your Cleric prayers up and formal.” Mara just blinks. “How did you know about....?”

Irtasus however on quick note changes topic with a look. “And I see someone else is conducting further healing.” ..this Urd looks as well and growls. “Yeah, this `is' bad timing for a lover's Meld.”

Hirund and Troubadour look back and then down at the sight of a lain prone knight on his back, such on top of a Valkyrian body clutching him fully from behind. Given the armor Imladris is wearing, and the fact Lind is the one on the `bottom', laying with full weight of Imladris's body atop hers, the sight.. “That can't be comfortable.”

“A Valkyrie worrying about comfort?” Hirund quips, which Urd just half snickers the obvious unto. However Hirund is more concerned at the sight of swirling angelic `cloth' meshing into and out of several spots of Imladris's back and front side, the white glow from the Meld very intense given the wisps of angelic energon that are very intently seeping out. “How reckless a manner she did all of this. If that dragon overpowers her....”

“Like she cares.” Sigrun imparts with her bland tone. Hirund strikes a glare back, but considering Lind started the Meld enroute to their impromptu hiding spot, the General (Hirund) knew the tarnished Norn was correct.

“We'll have to have lessons on that, when this is over.” ..the elder sisterly General growls.

Troubadour then notes Talos with a good arm wound as well, and the fact they `all' have gray splotches upon their shown of skin and bodies. “We may have a ways to go to get to considering the future.”

Urd just twittered an eye at her old lover. “Who are you and where is the idiot... hey, play that lyre and I'll make you eat it.”

Troubadour just anime cries as Talos opens his yap next. “Just let me back at him! One shot I tell ya, gimme just one!” ..which leads to Peorth just `leaning' on Talos from above. “Impatient stupide.” Which in turn.. “Lay, get your legs off my head! I'm `still' not a seat rest!”

Urd just sighs. “I knew Peorth got her bad mannerisms from somewhere and whom.”

The lot barely have enough time to react to that, before reaction turns to two separate things, one event on top of another!

One: Imladris's body suddenly flares a great mode of light, as much as Lind's body wrenches suddenly.

And...

A large roar from above makes Irtasus jerk her own head up! “Blast him no!!!!”

Mist just snaps.. “We are `so' out of time!”

Sigrun cocks her eyes. “Are you sure `you' are a General of the Section of War?” ...this Rend adds.. “We've been studying the world of present our godson is meshed unto.”

“We need to buy time!” Hirund just snarls, and all three Generals shoot up, as a tender healed Irtasus angles upwards as well, as she seethes one word on her lips.. “Yaltros!!”

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

The great head of bone and undeath saw too easily past the hazy ruse, so easily so, that it offended him. The massive head snorted gray ash of this insult, before the husked remains of his breath weapon bladder began to fill with the noxious, vicious combination of highly concentrated hydrochloric acid and ash laced Soulless code.

To think her Will was so fathomless to allow such an attack possible from his wretched remains. The building of the pressure within the bladder was searingly painful, a conflict between payment of willingness to Her Will, and the torture of physical pain to be able to conduct using such an attack in the first place. This all as Xarltoran wanted to vent all that pain at that insult hazed before his eyes.

He just reared his head back to vent a blast that would have leveled much of the forestland and hills alike to a flat crater.

Would have, if not for..

Draconian voice: “NAY!!!!”

Before Xarltoran could react, a massive golden serpent form successively bellowed a mass of flame, followed by a massive bite to the Dracolich's neck!! This formed the second half of what forced the allies below to react.

Xarltoran however recovered all too readily, and made a crocodile like death roll to throw off his attacker, way too efficiently. The lich turned his head to vent.. “The mate of a FOOL!!!”

Yaltros's voice bellows back.. “I won't let you touch her!!!”

Both dragons quickly yank their heads back and bellow their breath weapons with full force! However within seconds the undeath version begins pushing the golden flame cone back at it's brazen author! The Soulless emissary just pushes with full intent to kill one ancient enemy at last.

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

And the next moment..

“Holy jeeze! That was one big blast!!”

Skuld just felt her head bonked. “Watch the manner of your language still daughter. How long?”

“// Three minutes. \”

Frigurina only nodded, her attention in full at the sight that was making Ichigo all but stand up on hair end in her seat! (Fusuchi and Sentaro as well to be sure.) It wasn't everyday one got to see a full in full atmospheric entry view of the planet Earth with such detail.

At least as one could see past the now glowing red flicker tendrils of an atmospheric entry burn. One that was starting to grow violent as their progression advanced. Frig just sighs to her daughter. “Charging in is too much like your Cousin.”

“We need the element of surprise right?”

Frigurina just giggles, as the vessel starts to shudder, the angel of entry much steeper than recommended. “/ Shield grids at maximum thermal stress. Approaching friction threshold. \”

“// Steady as she goes. \” Scetu just imposes. The result was exacerbating levels of plasma that just made Frig comment back to her Future daughter. “This is probably surprising a lot of human sensors about now.

A mother's job to clean up a daughter's mess, as usual.”

“You're welcome.” Skuld just quips dryly, if shakily.

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

Troubador and Urd kneel over the prone forms in-between. Talos and Peorth already shot up after the Generals and Irtasus's charge, lent to the explosion of energies that Skuld and Frig unwittingly saw, such was the magnitude of it all. Mara and Sigrun however held nearby station with mutual shields up to bide time.

“They need to make new training videos in Heaven.” Urd just remarked of the situation.

“Send a copy to the Spirits Academy too.” Troubadour just blurted out. Urd looked at him cocked eyed. “Your kinda weird when `not' acting weird.”

Troubadour just smirked back. “Remember that time we dealt with that rouge Water Spirit? I was `weird' then too.”

Urd just mocked back.. “I remember how much that Spirit made you tickle and laugh.”

The pouty face almost betrays a laugh from Urd, before more explosions above kill the memory lane mood. Urd gulps and looks down at the prone forms of two needed warriors. “Hurry up Lind. Seriously.”

Troubadour didn't respond. Need not at that.

Mara did. “Yeah lazy bums! Get your arses up!!”

Urd just sighs. “Yeah, good one.”

Sigrun dryly retorts to Mara. “Why are you here?” ..and almost earns a Mara Hell bolt for that.

Urd just ignores Mara's glare at Sigrun and looks back down. “Actually, I'm with Mara on this one.”

The eruptions overhead just made her anxiety worse.

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

The last time she remembered it all this scared and gray, the mind was influenced by it's own partnered accord. Evolution's `digging' around having made such a mess in trying to assert control over this singular mind Lind freely Melded with now. She still sighed at being naked within it, but that was not of concern here. She instead shuddered at the sight now, as `that' previous image was Heaven in comparison to the here and nightmarish now.

She couldn't help but think off the last time Imladris was chained to near asunder like this. “Was this what Caceroth did to him?”

The landscape attested to the sheer mental rape that was occurring now, everything an ashen gray charred wasteland that was every bit of a photographic negative, in real time fright. Gray-white flames, smoke of volcanic death, patchy grass most foul, howls of wind that swirled more of soul wrenched screams than of any natural wind, and a chill that was sapping normal strength away, of will and body alike.

Lind slit her eyes. “A pristine vacation spot.”

The verbal quip died rather quickly when she looked to her left and saw a column of flame that was larger and more necrocromatic than the others around. Her heart was sinking just looking in that direction. Her flight towards it of obvious cause was met as she arrived and clenched her hands to her chin in terror.

The symbolism was impossible to ignore, as a large burning tree of gray ash looked every much like the Twin Trees of Intracel and Nidhog in full miniature. One that had chained up upon it, an Angel that looked severely haggard, tattered and broken. Lind's heart was on the floor at the sight of Evolution chained as if at the end of a torturous crucifixion.

“Her visions are so utterly accurate.”

“Release him at once!!”

“Such power does She now give? Enough to torture you both by, and `still' conduct war upon my enemies beyond this broken mind.”

Lind wanted to vent out, but knew banter was pointless. She instead kept eye on the physical manifestation of the imagery before her. Far beyond mere sight for the soul to bleed by, the imagery had purpose, and Lind would discern clues from it.

“To think His mighty champion would be as weak as Her mighty servant alike, both chaff in the eye of `my' fathomless Mistress.”

Lind just seethed back. “Oh really. You presume your control is as of Caceroth's own.”

A dragonly voice of undeath snarled back. “I am succeeding where Her only Son failed Her!! I am to assure her when my Oblivion comes, WHOM is the better unto the moment of Ragnarok!!!”

Lind rolled her eyes. “Great, another wipe the universe clean and replace with their own version crap type.”

“Replace? Nothing will remain after this day. I `assure' you the End is upon you all. As soon as this body is done overcoming your own network defenses, I will finish off your... finish off.....”

Lind cocked an eye, before the feeling of a tremor `shook' things, which she equated to...

“....even now I conduct the death of your friends. Then you both will allow me full knowledge of where the Catalyst is, and thereafter Oblivion will finalize the meaningless point of this Existence!”

Lind burned at the thought of this thing finding Keiichi. She had to think fast, as she `was' feeling tendrils trying to access her own mental Network. But then she felt another `shudder' and began to make connections with the enslavement being conducted here.

She began to formulate...

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

Talos's blade swung harsh, but was knocked back along with it's owner, caught only by a pair of slender arms, done with great speed.

“You're as heavy as usual.”

Talos cocked his eye. “What, no flowery language of mocking?”

Peorth just sneered back. “At a time like this?” ..with a look as three great dragons breathed flame, cold and hate at their appropriate foe(s). The two looking just teardrop.

“Fou, juste fou.”

Peorth suddenly spun Talos around at that! “Who said `you' could get flowery!!”

A heavy explosion abruptly jerks their attention, just before flinging them back even more from the fight! In other directions Mist and Hirund fling out, as Rend ends up somewhere in the forest for a moment.

“We're not doing well!” Hirund admits, as Mist holds her arm. “Why does this Soulless code affect us so blasted much! I'm getting tired of this!”

Hirund only looks at the sight of their enemy peering his head out from the ashen dust cloud his breath weapon caused. The peer of a glowing eye of burning gray made Hirund wish for things a goddess could get reprimanded for.

“We need a break here.” ..she quipped.

The form it took, was when a high pitched energy whine made most around blink, before a large pulse of blue energy lances down on a beam, and SLAMS the Lich down into the forest floor! The two Generals look in time to see it's metallic author approaching fast, as more blue lances sparkle out and continue their assault!

“They're insane!” Mist `comments'.

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

“SHE”S INSANE!!”

Urd's yelp just makes Mara and Sigrun nod twice in comic anime fashion, as the sight of the large warship...

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

“TELL ME WE'RE PULLING UP!!!!”

“// Already calculated mistress. \”

Frig just sighed as Skuld didn't expect to feel this afraid of an act of her own making. What since they blasted their literal way into the local planetary atmosphere, and it all looked as if they'd be making a permanent mistake for that in the landscape area near Fuji!

Frig just yells despite. “Is the primary weapon charged?”

“/ Affirmative. \” ..a targeting Synthetic unit at a Tactical station snapped. Skuld just yelled.. “Just fire already then!” ..this as the landscape `did' start to change elevation angle.

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

“SCATTER!!!”

Hirund yanked Mist and shot down to where Rend was recovering, as everything around the blast stunned Dracolich speeds away in one intended or enforced manner or another!

Xarltoran, looking up at what hit it so hard, sees a sight it didn't expect so see! “Curses you.. AGGGHHH!!!”

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

“Aw come on! This time you `have' to be joking!”

“Go and see for yourself then. Like `we' can't see it now either up here!”

Chihiro looked at her cell phone and considered the antics of the goddesses finally made Takano and Megumi go nuts. (She also blamed Keiba for no real reason.) She twittered her eyes and then looked out. “Yeah, some excuse for my workers to not show up `again'.” ..and stomps out to give a look see..

..and quickly regrets even `trying' to ignore the obvious.

“Aw man.” ..she `plainly' quips in a near whisper, looking out at a very real sight of two large dragons, one silver and the other gold and more slender than the other, racing away as a large spaceship actually fired a large green-blue beam of decent size. (Had to be at this distance of such `ease' of note.) And at the end of that beam, some rather large bony form being pummeled by the spaceship.

Given the sounds emitting from the area, Chihiro just knew what she saw couldn't be imagined. (And remembering what happened with that fearful `dark lord' episode, she had unwanted `basis' to compare reality by.

She just sighed and put the cell phone to her ear. “Yeah. You're right as usual.

You know, not too long ago, this all would have been very strange to me.”

“Wana yell at them later for it?”

Chihiro smirked.. “With some of Bell's cake I will.”

“See ya later then.”

Chihiro just sighed, closed her cell flip top shut and went back in.

Yup, ol Nekomi was shock proof alright.

The problem was the rest of the Prefecture (or four,) seeing. Frigurina would really have her work cut out for her later.

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

Lind was considering how to handle what she was feeling in detail now, when `everything' vibrated and went wild with light, as a harsh roar spiked the nightmarish air! She looked around steadily, before she realized `she' was feeling something of the element of pain in this.

“What the...”

She then heard, and looked reactively to see movement from the stricken Angel!

She confirmed it right there and there.

“Sorry about this.”

She then formed her Angels formally `behind' her, and all three bodies cracked their knuckles.

She then charged with full intent!!!

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

Xarltoran just kept shaking such amounts of pain off, far more than his old lichdom based body was capable. As the sight of the enemy vessel he tried to `remove' from the picture careened overhead, he thanked Her infinite power for the powers he was bestowed.

He swore he would succeed where even Her vaunted Son had failed! He just struck his all too pristine body out amidst the smolder the same beam had caused below him, showing how little damaged he really was, and laughed. “I FIND MYSELF UTTERLY UNIMPRESSED!!! YOUR FATES UNTO HER WILL MAKE YOU DESERVED OF THESE FAILIURES AGAINST ME!!!”

“You yell too much.” ..comes Mist's echoing voice from somewhere.

The lich snarls and prepares to react towards one enemy or another, when he suddenly LURCHES at a pain of no apparent note!

“AIIIEEEEE!! WHAT ASSAILS ME NOW?!?!?! AUUGGHHH!!!”

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

Urd just heard that, and `then' heard Troubadour.. “By the soil that feeds!!!” ..and looked down as.. “What the heck is he doing with a....

Everyone looks, just before Urd realizes... “Oh, guess it shouldn't be a surprise.”

“Meaning?!” Mara just snaps.

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

Lind `and' her Mints look dead in, as their tri strike has telling effect at the target chest. This as one plain punch and two ice laden versions just leave great indentations in Evolution's chest cavity! By the amount of gut wrenching screaming that was sounding all around her, the effect was more than telling indeed.

“Sorry dear, but I'm `going' to wake you up out of this. Now, let's try something more intricate!”

She shot back and allowed the feelings of pain envelop her senses. Through them, she was already discerning two separate souls, and intended a drastic measure to force Xarltoran's hand. (Or claw what have you.)

She then chanted..

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

Urd actually leapt back when Lind's voice uttered loudly..

“Sear the blinded truth in a curtain of thick ice, and solid determination! Make my war upon the soul chained by false other!!

By this suffer no other but my own will!!”

As soon as Urd heard that, she leapt and pushed Troubadour out of the way, shouting.. “MOVE!!!!”

The next thing they all feel, is an icy aura that actually `helps' push them all way farther!

They all look, but then a `new' screech of pain from the Dracolich makes for further reactionary looks! Mara quips.. “Why does he look frostbitten?”

Urd blinks and then looks at Imladris's and Lind's forms. “Because `they' do. That is what Lind is doing!”

“Will you make sense hybrid!” Sigrun snaps. Urd smirks. “Fine, I'll explain.”

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

“// We are clear. \”

Skuld and Sentaro blew the biggest sighs of relief, though Frig didn't do much less. Frig just pats Skuld's melon and.. “Good work fellow souls.”

“Aw man.” Comes Sentaro's voice, and everyone looks, as he looks at the sight of a foaming at the mouth, unconscious Ichigo. Fusuchi just gulps. “I think we're getting an ear chew full later.”

“She'll live.” Skuld just puts bluntly, and looks back at the status displays, as well as the landscape that splayed across the panoramic viewport beyond. It began to turn as the ship was reangling to line up for another possible shot.

Just one problem. “We're just a big fat target now you know.”

Frig looked over at Skuld and smiled. (Never failing there `somehow'.) “Our part won't be so obvious now.”

Skuld just rolls her eyes. “Remind me not to get into the Foresight business.”

“As if you have a choice.”

Skuld blinked over, and then promptly didn't want to think about it.

Scetu however had a question to ask. “// Should we remain if we are not of primary need? \”

“Oh, you'll want to see what happens next.”

Scetu just sighed just as thickly as Skuld does. “// Peachy \” .. “Swell.”

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

The `landscape' is now nothing less than Siberia of the next to come Ice Age. This as much the future Earth will return to become, as is now as Lind applies full empowered force of her Ice elemental spells, to deep freeze the land of ash within the soul, to an endless sea of white dry powder. The flames turn blue, the screeching wind assailed by frigid versions, no hope of warmth was to be had here.

The angry pain of the searing freeze assails even Lind's `bare' form, as every bit of her as well is a white frost, as thick as any such storm at it's deathly peak.

Lind just seethes out, the author at least not indelibly affected by her own makings. “Let us see which pain forces control.” ..this as the freeze had other impacts.

Deep, deep within the soul, as the cold darkness covered everything in angelic ice, her access codes were suffused to penetrate just as much the Soulless code apparently had. She needed to know how the heck Voluspa knew just how to overcome Imladris's soul so effortlessly.

The deeper she delved, the more the warmth of the true soul within was being seen past the angry covering of ice and snow, assailing the ash and hate of equal note. In balancing this, the true soul was found as was supposed to, as she was forced to use Evolution as a `shield' to bide time for her own deft invasion of soul.

But as she did so, the warmth turned cold, and shivering was becoming noticeable. Lind pushed further in that darkness, sensing only warmth, but no light. Sensing lack of hope, and a stumbling soul that felt fear that was all of it's own. This was taking too long for her, as she `did' fear actual hypothermia setting in her beloved's host form and shell.

And then she saw it.

She broke through what was essentially a soul-glacier, and emerged unto a scene truly not expected.

She hovered over a memory, and the memory centered upon a scene she never knew of. The story was partially told, but not the moment when Imladris lain at the brink of death on that Glacier, having lost most ability of cognitive function as all strengths seeped away, and a proud knight was laying broken for all intents and lack of purpose.

She saw the form, and approached it.

“Beloved?”

For his part, he thought he was `in' that same moment. He didn't realize how far back the retreat of his soul had taken him.

---

It had become a very long and cold night for him, trying to huddle around the bare fire spot he had managed to make from as much dry tinder he could from the soppy ground around of mixed snow and sleet mess around him.

His slate of magical talent wasn't in fire unfortunately, and holy magic tended to attract too much attention these days. How far things had fallen, sitting before that bare measure of warmth in this morass of hills and broken trees in the north hinterlands near the Great Glacier. Having managed to escape from a wight that had been following him, causing him to go in circles for two days, he found his path lost. Even the map attuning pixie he had was too worn out to help him now.

As far as the knight knew, he was up against the wall yet again. It had been for some time now in fact. After a trip to the Great Dale to deliver a simple document to the elven clerical order there turned afoul for reasons he never learned, he managed to pass through into the Narfell region but found few comforts other than haggled supplies.

A bad spate with a half-orc `gang' got him in unexpected trouble with a local constable in a small township, another driven ride on a horse that ended up being eaten out from under him by a crocolisk of all things, ended up with him in this situation.

How much bad luck he could have and still be alive was astounding to him, though such a thought was barely a passing shiver as he rubbed his chest under his well dented and less than gleaming armor.

The mortal, still considered himself as such even after all this time, wondered though if time was finally up. He might be technically an enhanced being essentially reengineered by the goddesses of Intracel, but he was still born a mortal, and not a goddess. As such the hunger pangs and aches of the wild hit at him more than he cared for. It could be equal to what a goddess on a mortal plane could endure for all he knew, but no being he knew should have to endure this withered state he had found himself in.

No mount, food supplies in his bags were almost gone, two weeks at least since the last amicable town or village would allow him close, a week since the last really hostile one drove him `off', and more, the last of his flint was now in that smoldering excuse of a fire plume.

The wind wasn't helping it either. It bit deep, stealing heat as it may be actually eating at him in a fashion. He wrapped his tattered cloak and robs around him, holding the hilt of his cherished morphemic sword as if it was a child's doll. A sad state he would consider of himself in just `that' thought. It had become forever since a friendly façade graced him, maybe a punishment he didn't truly know of.

A chastity beheld he should nay have. A curse easily imprinted. A foe of many a cause. Certainly no friend he knew of anymore it seemed. His bright outlook at life long since dwindled as his apparently foolhardy attempt to find more answer of many a form in the eastern regions of Faerun coming to near mortality of naught.

He shivered and shoved such thoughts aside, his lonely state bringing up much he both didn't want to think about now, and actually couldn't out of the same true curse he apparently had.

His amnesia apparently never bated. Worse memory of his old life what he learned he may have had, was as fleeting in mind as his supplies had become. And yet he shook that thought off, finding simply quitting not in his nature. If he could escape from that gelatin creature of all things about to wholly devour him, a mere nip of cold wasn't going to fell him. Still the lack of supplies, even rock hard jerky, would probably hasten his demise. A fate he `did' suspect he deserved in the end.

He didn't ask for forgiveness. He only wanted to `know' what his mind kept casting into his dreams essentially every sleeping moment now. He drifted off, and saw them again. He saw a misty, unclarified scene of majesty and grace, everything that Heaven should be. He knew this should be true, but the dreams were not confirmations.

They only drew wanting that always fleeted away as he awoke. Of such, one figure seemed to keep appearing and fading time and again. Something with blue hair of some fashion.

And he jerked awake again, huddled over a now dead flame, patters of sleet drops drop clumping onto the mush ground and his partially soaked form.

Somewhere in those drops of melting ice upon him, a tear dropped amongst them. As silent as he kept to himself anymore, by choice and chance.

He wondered how it would all end. The way this was all going, it had to soon.

---

“NO!!”

He shook suddenly at the sound. The muddle of memory that he was feeling, parted with a `new' light that began to partake vision. He felt his tear, and in wiping it, and then seeing the beautiful form before him, that he realized.

“H... help me.”

Lind grasped Imladris's shoulders and took a look into a set of helpless eyes.

She then embraced and held onto with full glomming embrace. “I have you. I said I would be your own savior. I'll keep proving that point ever more as much as needed, as you have for my own soul.”

Imladris just shook out. “I made new Sin. I presumed myself above Voluspa's power. I'm broken before it instead. What good am I against such power, one only Almighty can possibly match?!!”

Lind just softened her embrace and then whispered into his ethereal ear. “You just need to accept as I had to my own, when help is needed. Only now I realize how much burden and ego combined to make you whom you are in this task.

But if we are one, I know my trust in you will see us `all' through these ordeals.”

Imladris burned a child's level of hope from this, and sealed the spirit of whom he was around it. He then whispered. “Thank you my love and savior.”

Lind `had' to blush at that, and it felt it's wild way through `all' that swamping sorrow and landscape scared alike.

That acceptance turned that burning fire, and BURST all that ashen and icy sorrow away in one titan's blast of....

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

Urd felt it..

---

Skuld...

---

“Belldandy?”

The goddess of Keiichi's life looked over, and then embraced Kei outright.

“Please hold me. I can feel Cousin's love for Lind as few other things so pure. Just hold me for awhile.”

Keiichi gulped and did so.

---

Frigurina smirked, as she felt it next, and knew that the wave would affect every last goddess in short order. The emanation of such a wave of emotion, was going to make such a scene up in Heaven shortly. She sighed and clutched her arms, as she then saw off the far left end of the viewport, a glowing blue light most pure begin to shine.

“That Seal isn't going to last much longer.” ..knowing how much it was `also' involved.

She just wished the Demons could feel this. For once she `did' wish such the same of such ilk of Hild.

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

And somewhere, a fallen goddess does so feel.... kept to utter secrecy of course.

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

Most were shielding their eyes at the breach of such light shining forth, as above, two dragons saw with awe at such a rare sight they themselves never saw before.

Irtasus smiles out through her chrome teeth. “Now do you see why you shouldn't have come?”

Yaltros just quipped back. “My abilities are of merit too.” ..before his melon is hawked over by Irtasus's version! “You merit was to protect our kin unseen! You and they take too much of each other in attitude, you should know!”

Yaltros just teardrops. “But I hate babysitting.”

“Some elder dragon `you' are, the clan of gold would have your head if not for my own choice in the matter, in this regard!”

Irtasus was intending to tongue and teeth lash her younger (only a hundred years abouts,) when movement caught her eye. She wrenched her head.. “That blasted slayer... NO!!!”

At that, Talos and Peorth try to take advantage of Xarltoran's incredible motions of pain, with a twin lance attack of weapon and rose vines alike!

“We're finishing this!!!!” ..both actually shout, and land their twin shots with great apparent effect! The doubled over added screech of pain, actually splits several nearby trees, and shudders the ground underneath into a muddy liquid!

The act of satisfaction however is then shouted unto as Peorth.. “NAY! BACK OFF!!! BACK...” ..before a new blast of Soulless code shoves them both back, landing rather close to Mara and Sigrun's shield! Urd just shoots out heedless.. “Peorth!” ..and reaches her, and Talos alike. She does so to see however Peorth.. “Faire pas moi!!!”

Talos just snaps back.. “Stop pushing!”

Urd just groans. “You both are...” ..and then hears and looks up to see.. “ACK! MOVE!!” ..and uses spell aided strength to yank Peorth and Talos out of the way of a breath weapon attack! All three end back up under Mara's and Sigrun's shield, but also have the attack follow them to it!!”

“Oh crap!!”

“This `will' be bad!!!!”

Mara and Sigrun's yells make even Urd frightened beyond coded belief.

“Show of arrows and lances my fellow brethren!!!”

Urd hears, but `then' sees the sight and sound of a great many trees `aiming' their trunks dynamically at the Soulless emissary, and then launching a large array of `arrows' and `spears' made of hyper grown and ejected amounts of natural wood! Ala, the biggest wood splinters ever seen, suddenly assail Xarltoran, forcing him to retreat! This is followed by Irtasus, Yaltros and the Generals making a renewed assault to `finally' drive off an over powered Dracolich!!”

Urd gawks at the sight, and then over at a heavily panting Troubadour, as a green aura around him begins to fade off!

Urd realizes, and then STAMPS up at the Tree Spirit! “What the hell was that!?!?”

“My emergency powers that..”

“WHY didn't you use them sooner!!!”

“Trees don't like to be used like that very often! Not without consent of understanding! This world should be glad they do not move as of Ents as one on the souls of `this' used world plane!”

Urd blinks a good dozen times, and then quips. “Good point.”

“Nice save though.” Mara actually admits. “For a weirdo.”

Peorth/Urd: “Way too a weirdo.”

“Now that's just not fair!!!”

Sigrun actually betrays a laugh, and Talos just moans variously of pain and annoyance. He however realizes he's not the only one doing so. This is caught by ear and feeling of Urd first however. “Eh? AHH! Guys!! Lind! Metal head!!”

Imladris at first moans and begins to move, and flops off Lind finally, both moaning at this. They both then quickly realize their own various realizations. “I'm... ah! LIND!”

“Not so loud love.” Lind chides as they both rise off their backs and to sitting positions. Urd and Peorth scramble over and `actually' glom onto them both!”

“Don't scare us like that again!” .. “Oui! Way trop de nombreux!”

Lind just blushes. “We're fine! I swear for us both.”

“Ack! Too tight!”

Peorth dumps Imlade as Lind and Urd look to their amusement. Imladris however remarks out, back on his.. um.. back. “That's two I owe Lind now.”

Urd/Lind: “You mustn't worry about that at all.”

Imlade blinks, and would have conjectured that further, if not for the roar that spikes the far air then. He realizes and rises fully to one knee. He looks at Lind and both exchange a nod. Imlade then snarls without hesitation.. “Anyone else already tired of this?”

“Way.” ..many voices spike, Talos so following in a stutter. Imladris then follows up.. “I have insight of our enemy. I need the Generals here quick, and delay of our enemy for only a moment.”

Peorth nodded and yanked Talos with her to the sky. “Nous avoir le!” ..Talos objecting.. “My tunic and neck is not of steel and durability!!”

Imladris meanwhile looks at whom is around him, and recognizes each of their strengths. He also looks over and stresses. “Thank you Lind. I `mean' that.” ..this Lind smirks... “You sure? Have you felt your chest?”

“Why do you think... I stand not yet?” Imlade gasps some, as he feels one of his ribs quite broken, and being healed by his nanite systems.

Urd just sighs. “Please don't use such methods on me, if you both would.”

“I'd object.”

Lind look reacts at Troubadour. “You huh?”

Urd raises her hands. “Uh.. maybe that stuff later.”

The two trade a... strained... look, on the matter unsaid, as Imlade and Troubadour look at each other, and then promptly droop sigh their heads. “Uh boy.” ..in simult.

“HEY!!”

Urd jumps like a firecracker as she hears, and on second such yell.. “Hey.. that Comm thingy!”

They all look, before Imlade realizes he has it back on him. “Ah.. uh... Lady Frig...”

“About time child. I have a hex in mind for you.”

Imlade gulps as the Generals suddenly appear fast! The knight responds. “I would think that...”

“I `am' Hild's Sister. Keep the cracks to yourself in kind. We're rounding back towards the dragons. Your friends are still harrying the Soulless back north.”

Imladris just snaps.. “Drive them east! Keiichi is still too near!”

“Got it!!!” Skuld's voice snaps over Comm, as everyone else of note lands nearby, Peorth and Talos included. As soon as they do, Hirund just snaps.. “Alright, tell us what to do pup.”

Imladris stopped words on his lips at hearing that. In fact he was surprised for a moment just how many eyes were just `looking' at him. The looks weren't anything less than wanting in fact. It was a sobering sight for that split moment. One he kept a split moment.

“Alright. Plain and dumb simple. We're going to attack it every which way at once, and just keep it from focusing on anyone or thing. Just give me a moment to prepare an appropriate response to finish this.”

“But it's a Soulless.” Urd remarks, giving tone to the last time they went through such similar.

Imladris just quipped back. “Really? All I see is one big fat undead mass. It's got no real final focus, or we'd have already been under Oblivion already. I think it's trying to outdo Caceroth and die to end it's own existence. It's being pointless where not needed. Terror too much a weapon instead of results. Moreover, it's `not' Caceroth, nor even a proper facsimile. We will not require the same methods here.”

Lind... “Agreed.” Everyone looks, as the Valkyrie just quips. “What? I was connected well enough as well. In fact Xarltoran tried to link with me all the same.”

Hirund nods. “We can at least conduct one affair to it's wishes then. The rest will suffer him instead, after our victory.”

Imladris nods. “Agreed. Let's go.”

They all didn't waste time, and the mass shot up into amicable pairs that worked together, as Sigrun stuck to Urd and Mara. The Generals, Lind and Imlade just keep together long enough until they reach nominal aircraft heights, where.. “Alright. Just harry the crud out of that thing. No one tries anything too funny. If it focuses, take the focus away with all haste.

Let us make Voluspa pay for attacking us here today, such will be our message.”

“Works for me.” Rend remarks, with all four around him peeling off on the spot. Imladris stops and sees everyone spread out effectively, while now seeing the Illumina and the two metallic dragons giving their all against a constantly harried Dracolich. The amount of fire directed starts taking them all towards the ocean.

Imladris then speaks to `himself'. “Alright good sir, we `both' have a dire penance to conduct here. You'll need to trust me for real now.”

He `felt' a nod, and then, he reached to his armored right chest plate, above the joint, under his cape. A glowing ball forms there on command, and from it, the Holocron. He shut up and started to concentrate.

Hard.

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

“Damn, I wish our transmitters were up and running again.” ..the reporter looking up said, before looking back to her camera crew, which was no better than a radio crew at the present.

---

I'm reporting from just outside our studios, and even here the scene over and in the skies of Nekomi continue to amaze and frighten all who look up! Even after recent days of tragedy and uncertainty, the shock to the eyes of those same days do not compare to what I'm seeing now.

Oh I wish our TV transmitter was operating, this `has' to be seen to believed!

*Sounds of roaring, and energetic weapon like fire hiss and blare over the radio frequency. (Several in fact.)*

It's just incredible! It looks like some scene of a sci-fi movie come to life! I would explain it if it was logical, but I just look out your door to see it all!! What in the world could they be doing fighting up there for!?!?

---

“Ye verily we tread in the dark realm of the paranormal! If we chant the Hannya Shinkyo Sutra fourteen times over, the evil will disappear!”

“Ahem! This is clearly a far more rare manifestation of electrical plasma effects. We can arrive at a complete explanation of this theory, based upon my newest published theories.”

“Not you again! You mean that all this is AGAIN plasma!?!?”

“Yes, just as usual, it can all still be explained with plasma.”

You call all THAT plasma?!?”

“Naturally. Always with plasma.”

“Your head is nothing but plasma!”

“No need to be snippy sir.”

“Your plasma is snippy!!”

---

“This sounds familiar.” Megumi just moans this before giving a sip of Bell's Earl Gray tea. Takano just twitches an eye. “Dang so called expert heads.”

Keiba just gulps at this. “Are we missing the point here?”

Megumi `and' Takano: “We `are' missing the point! Drink your tea.”

Keiba just slunks down and makes an unmanly sip of his fine china cup.

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

Frigurina just keeps moaning. “You know how much effort is takes to reprogram mortal minds on the third dimensional level?”

Skuld just gulps. “Uh... mom..”

“Don't just use that vessel conventionally!” Imladris snaps over open Comm.

“Right!” Skuld yells and looks back to Scetu, whom orders a total change in the firing pattern of Illumina's weapons array, as well as tactical attack and piloting patterns. Those in their seats are gravity field pressed into them to avoid inertia strain, as the ship starts moving about in most unconventional patterns and formats! The viewport screens are jinking and twisting wildly very soon after this, as the sight of `haze', rings, and strange effects of weaponry shoot out towards their prime foe!

Skuld can see many hit with constant harrying effect! “Yeah! Let's show that yutz!!”

Sentaro just quips. “She's having fun.”

Skuld yells back. “Come on Sentaro! Join me! Hit that big red button near ya!”

“Eh?” This?” -Click.... ZHH-ZHARCKK!!!!- “Whoa.”

“// Good shot mortal. \”

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

Xarltoran, already heavily harried to the point it cannot think clearly, suddenly is added unto by at first conventional array shots from the warship, before `strange' angle-curve beam versions of the same start really hitting him, as cold and fire breath attacks, and then goddess, demon and spirit assailing shots join on in!

And `then' Sentaro's shot just makes the Lich buckle about like a badly tossed toy!! (Main cannon array bursts do that one guesses. So focused to the Lich's form and not further beyond! Sentaro's a natural!)

“Keep up the pressure!!” Urd shouts out as she levels one good Urd bolt after another! Lind yells after.. “Just pressure, nothing stronger! Be efficient!”

“This is for my family retch!!!!” Talos screams in and makes a good pass and slash attack, and scooting away with Peorth's cover, as Sigrun follows with some dark Hell bolt attacks, which are distracted from by Troubadour using more ground based `toothpick' assault weaponry, as his aid of the trees give the Generals time to combine and split off attacks in several directions. This is added and supplemented by Talos again, as Lind shoots in to deliver Ice beam and Blizzard assaults, which lead to the Generals on a tri prong blast, and over and over as one after another, Xarltoran is not given an inch or moment to think!

“This is a blast!!”

“Urd's having fun!” Rend judges, which just gets.. “Yeah yeah.” ..from many others around. This is before a triad of glowing rings from the `large' sight of the Illumina, actually spinning like a pin top overhead, slams it's shots into the Dracolich!

Xarltoran, trying to get fed up with all this, tries to angle his bony head at..

“FORGET IT MORON!!” As Urd just smacks a chain-ball Urd bolt at it's turning head!

---

“They're doing well.”

“Just aid the pressure beloved.”

Yaltros just follows Irtasus's lead as effectively ever, as they shoot in from the southeast at low level, and come in brazenly fast, their twin breath weapons blazing at full power!! This is followed up by full body slams and claw/teeth swipes, as the allied celestials all back off just long enough for Xarltoran to react to the dragons, before the two scramble away as Sigrun follows up with a covering blast of Hell bolts!!

---

Imladris notes as he uses his access codes through the Holocron, and the bio-form data his Angel retained from the entrapment, began to formulate a combinational code and spell empowered sphere that was blanketing a growing mass of positive elemental energy. The manner of combination would be as reflective a harm to the beast, as it had done to him and his family up to this point. The symetry was not lost in the knight's mind.

As he did this, he also considered one burning question he had been avoiding. The months since his Dark Lord spate, had grown that query, the feeling of Evolution aiding his preparation, exacerbating.

Such that he finally asked..

---

Am I becoming, what I fear I am to unto come?

Frigurina blinked, as the voice of the Knight Lord came `not' over open Comm. Skuld looked over uneasily, as the motherly goddess knew the query of entail. She just spoke. “Yes.” ..of soft whisper.

---

Lind gulps, as much as many of the allied other.

They hear next..

---

Thank you.

Imladris then sighs and feels a cool well of understanding not wanted, but grasped upon nonetheless. Accepting enough of that truth allowed him to understand more of what he was doing with the code the Holocron gave him.

The result became a growing spark of light that was flaring brighter by the second!

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

Xarltoran was also building something. And he was fed up with the turn of events! He reared his head suddenly and in the midst of trying to react to more attacks, saw the growing flare. The slight pause in those same attacks at that moment gave him the moment he needed!

“YOU WILL FAIL!!!” ...of Soulless false of over emotional roar!

He was about to summon an immense wave of Soulless burst code, when the congealing of ashen matter and his roar, is reacted to by shock of the others. And then thrice so as a HUGE formation of hexagonal crystal shapes form out of thin air and slam into ALL sides of the Dracolich at once!!

Hirund just gasps.. “Holy light!!”

---

Skuld gulps, as she sees that same motherly figure level off her right arm, and soften her wrathful stare!

“Jeeze.”

Frig just stared as her spell stopped the dire turn of event nearly made.

She however reacts `just' as shocked when sight of a bright point of white light comes in from the iconic volcano afar!!

---

Everyone, still reacting to the immense spell of Frig's making, then are treated as a shrill whistle sound makes all look in time to see a blinding white arrow shoot in and run the Dracolich undead through!!

Urd gasps.. “Belldandy!!”

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

Keiichi, balancing himself on the ledge of the lip of that famed mountain where Belldandy placed him, managed to see through the overlapping mountain haze that was about in most directions, and the shot Belldandy managed with Holy Bell's Wind Arrow shot. The gleaming white angelic bow was lowered, as Keiichi whistled most impressed.

“Nice shot.” ..knowing better of Bell's aim.

“Thank you dear.”

Keiichi then remarked.. “Skuld was right.”

Bell smiled back, as did Holy Bell.. “You did ask dear.”

“Yeah, but I guess leaving a comrade in battle alone even works way over here.”

Belldandy nods. “Never shalt I. All the better to protect you my dear beloved. The cost can be whatever is required.”

K1 just blushed. “I'm not keeping a tab, so you know.”

“I am.”

Keiichi blinked at that.

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

The effect of those last two spells was a undead dragon in it's truly most painful throes. The howls made the Soulless emissary finally sound as `if' it was dying.

“Wish I knew better of incumbent planning.” Imlade responded, as he then felt his spell was ready!

He just wondered for a split moment on that, that was, was this what it would take further to defeat Voluspa herself?

He would have considered that and a million other scenario related questions of this current situation, but that was stifled when he suddenly felt a large golden mass accost him from below! “HEY! Whoa! What the?!?”

“The time is now yes?!”

The sight and feel of a full elder gold dragon form beneath him and much of attested sight, made him gasp and freak for a moment! “What are you?!?!”

“I'll burn the path cold and core!!”

Hearing Irtasus's voice, and the feel of the air blustering by him, told Imlade that words were not the time! He just shoved all else aside and snapped.. “Let thy moment cometh!!”

---

Lind heard and on looking.. “Incoming!!!”

Rend and Hirund snapped on heel off.. “Hold him hard!!!”

The next Xarltoran feels, is many energies and fields binding him hard in place! The pain of the two last goddess spell still burn too deep to react to this tactical change, to his doom! Words are replaced with harsh roars and wrenching at his chains, as he feels what is coming!

Talos also sees, and lacking such a chain, instead follows lead of Troubadour and aims to one large spear of wood that was lodged between the Lich's bone chest plate cavity at the neck! He just shouts to full of hearing... “AIM FOR THIS, FOR MY VENGANCE!!!” ..and lunges his Lance hard, burying it into the mass of wood!

Imladris sees the motion and focuses the piercing spark of energy into his right hand! “Incoming!!” ..as he readies unto Yaltros's back!

Just as everyone sees Irtasus's form shoot in with a tight cold cone beam, Imladris shouts.. “DOWN NOW!!”

Yaltros lunges downwards, Irtasus banks up, which to Xarltoran's view, blocks such till Irtasus peels away upwards, and left only a split moment to the sight of a Knight making contact with the Lance aim point! Imladris makes full contact of the spell orb, and snaps his spell chant.. “Sever and Seal by Incarnite Life-Light!!!”

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

“Mother!!!”

A dark Wraith Lord doubles over, as he `feels' the burn of Code, and the shriek of agony!!! A false Emperor of the Marian Empire is approached by a guard. “Master, I... AUGHHHH!!!”

The Wraith reacts to the voice, by clutching the neck of the guard, and outright turning the humanoid into ash! The other guards scoot back, as Caceroth snarls and huffs at the echoing agony!

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

As a Seer feels a pain not felt before!! The scream it's anew own that silences the endless suffering for that one moment.

The first since possibly Incarnite Time's Beginning.

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

The goddesses, demon and spirit, dragons, and warriors, all turn fully away as Xarltoran feels the combined effect of a full force Turn Undead spell, channeled with as much other energy of life, and severing codes from the Holocron, that can be poured into it!

Xarltoran's base bone body is sheared and torn apart from it's Soulless codes, and both without each other, agonize under the purity brought of wrath!

Imladris gives no words, and pours all he can, to give vengeance to the pain this being wrought over the past several days. The anguish of souls he does not know are still in heart as he literally burns the lifeless bone apart!! Such so that the Lich's form begins to flake away as Imladris knows when the Soulless code is broken and retreated. Softly the assault winds down, and with it, the winds fade the bone away as if dust.

The light wisps away like accompanying vapor, when all know it is then done.

For a moment, a Knight just floats there, letting the moment end on it's own.

---

Frigurina nods to this the same.

“Take that Seer wench.”

Everyone onboard looks over at Sentaro, whom gulps.. “What?” Frig just replies.. “So it is.”

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

Keiichi just blinks endlessly, a bit dizzy from the light. “Wow. Gold guy can pour it on.”

Belldandy and Holy Bell nod. “Yes, Cousin is victorious once again.”

Keiichi however blinks at that. “Still not sure fully what all this had to do with everything of late. If I heard it all right. Not sure I did really.”

Bell just looks on, before angling her head over to her love. “Many times a story can have twists and turns that no one could ever hope to see coming. We just hope to live to moments like this, and cherish what matters afterwards.”

Keiichi smiles, which melts his goddess's heart. “Works for me.” ..he says, just as he shifts his footing. The ledges however complains against this by giving away just enough for Keiichi to slip downwards! “EEP!”

“Keiichi!” ..she and Holy Bell reach, and end up flying downwards a bit too fast in her still highly overdeveloped sense of protective haste.

The ground catches up faster than expected, and both `actually' clonk heads! They both end up out cold for a bit with three sets of dizzy eyes to boot!

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

Frig slits her eyes and `angles' her head towards a certain volcano. “Hmm..”

Skuld quips.. “What?”

“Oh nothing. Nothing.” ..she then senses all is `alright'. She left such a matter `private', as Lind's voice comes up over Comms. “Lady Frigurina.”

“Yes I know.” ..and rubs her knuckles.

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

He floats there for a moment, before Imladris suddenly is bodily asconded, as Lind smack gloms unto him!! “ACK! Lind!!”

“Oh no you don't! Fainting is bad here!” ..she quips knowing better of Imlade's condition that `he' does, as she sharply whistles through her fingers. “Okay! We need a ride here!!”

“I can.. eh? Wait! I didn't call for a golden Taxi!!”

Yaltros just hefts both warriors with ease of commandment. “One is begotten anyway, Heaven's Hero!”

Urd nearby just giggles as Imladris has only a moment to protest this, before he blanks out from lack of energy! Hearing Lind chastise her suddenly unconscious lover almost breaks Urd into a gut busting laugh. “And it's over like that. Gawd it never gets old.”

Mara just retorts back. “Says you. I'll need a week to recharge now.”

“I think we'll have more time warranted.” Sigrun moans out, as a electronic echoing voice chides them all from the Illumina. “You all better follow and start such! Come on! Move it! Move it!!” ..with most starting to obey in moaning from heavy strain fashion.

Talos however looks and decries with comical tears. “Dang it! That was my favorite Lance!”

Peorth sighs over. “Oh pipe down mortel amour sincère, I can attain a replacement gift for you.”

Talos half-nodded, before gawking over.. “Did you just call me.. ack!!” ...and promptly yanked along by the cape and collar joining, to make follow.

Everyone starts to saunter towards a piggy back ride from Irtasus, when a lyre starts to twang.

“Ohhhh... my dear Urdy, we have won this... OWW!” ..and is hit by a hard scale. “Shut it and get on stupid!”

“Yes Urdy.. ACK!! Watch those bolts Urd! ACK!! Okay! Okay!!”

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

Skuld just slumps in her chair. “That was.... too much.” She then hears cracking of some knuckles.. “Aww, mother!”

“Time for a quickie job.” ..as Frig prepares to conduct a fast mind wipe and rewrite routine of most mortal minds. Skuld blinks at this. “Eh? But you said it was hard work and all that.” This Frig blinks back. “I lied. I'll be back for the epilogue in a moment.” ..and flashes off in a wipe of light. Skuld GACKS at that with a pull of her hair!! “My mother!?!? The queen of the goddesses LYING!?!? Almighty preserve us!!!” ..as she leaps and scrambles behind Sentaro. The bloke this blinks and looks back. “Uh, not overreacting are we Skuld?”

Sentaro regrets such with a hawkish gesture. “Want me to?”

“Please do.”

“Aw shut it Sis!”

Fusuchi just giggles for Sentaro's utter annoyance.

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

The world, for the most part, would not know better. For all their underdeveloped good for the time being.

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

“Wow.” Ichigo gulps, as they all stand in one group within.. “Isn't this one of those aircraft hanger caves or such that was dug out during World War II?” ..this Sentaro nodded. “Looks like. Didn't think it'd be used for a dragon lair.”

“A bit cramped for one.” Yaltros snipped, which Ichigo teardropped at, looking over at the gold dragon, touch picking his footing into the hangar, large enough to fit a small, modern airport in, but not quite enough so for two dragons to fit in. Irtasus in her humanoid form again, just sighs. “Just shrink down you ditz.”

“And let the kids chew on me!? Not `this' time dear!”

Imladris gulps at hearing that. “I don't feel safe now.” ..as he then notes most of the others scooting back. Even Lind makes her body look smaller in profile behind her love's own. “You can take one for us then if required.”

“I am `not' a chew toy!” Imladris snaps, before Lind keeps egging. “Don't knights make good dragon fodder? Like those in fairy tales and in Shrek?”

Irtasus jabs in. “I can tell she `was' made for you.” Imlade just frazzling out.. “To be sundered and broken.”

Lind has Imlade in a nice 3.4 second long full nelson, when the patter of wittle dragons fweet come a running. Urd freaks some with.. “It's not another earthquake is it?!”

Irtasus just smiles as six gold and silver mixed dragons (Ira, Alua, Sirutus, Oplua, Ina, and Iopas) suddenly appear from the shadows, and gang tackle into Yaltros's body, with a good amount of shaking to boot! Troubadour just freaks all about the same! “Don't hurt the trees! Save the trees!”

Everyone then just watches as Irtasus (with Lind's help,) Push Imlade at the serpentine pile. “Say hello to the family finally. Not like I've told enough stories about you to them to shut them up over all these years.”

“Uh, I can see well enough from afar.” Imlade gleeps before he's shoved into the wrestling mass. Imlade just yelps and screams as he emerges and vanishes at different points of this `heartwarming' scene. Lind just holds her hands to her chin. “The past and present adjoin.”

“You won't.. OW! ..get way.. OW! ..with this!!”

“I can...” ..a voice spikes, before Peorth mushes that down fast. “You stay, drogue.”

Imlade just feels like he's in a dragon's vice, and sees gold and silver keep swimming past his pained vision.

He then hears and notes `another' form “Awwwwwwww, they are just the cutest dragonlings!”

Skuld sighs as Urd jitters uneasily at the sight of.. “Mother, you like kids too much.”

Imlade just snaps out while Frig cuddle cradles one of the younglings, as if one `very' large baby. “That has GOT to be unnatural!!” ..just before two of the dragonlings, one `boy', the other `girl', just clutch Imlade from the back along his cape! They both yell out. “Can we play with him!”

Irtasus just giggles.. “Just a little, I.. HEY!! Don't toss him that high!!” ..as three dragons bounce Imlade to each other like a beach ball! Most teardrop before Irtasus just snaps motherly like. “I SAID PLAY NICE YOU BRATTY KIDS!!”

Lind just smile-quips.. “Aw, he's fine.”

“No I'm not! OUCH! Watch the head spines!”

“Who's that one?”

Most heads turn at Fusuchi's voice, and then where she looks, as a large whitish form suddenly notes it's been seen, and retreats into the full shadows within the old hangar. Irtasus then remarks.. “Still shy as always. Come on Angelus, come on out.”

On motherly enforced cue, a pure white dragon emerges, one that makes Imladris of note gasp, and Talos a moment later. “What's a White Dragon doing here?”

Irtasus chides. “Don't be blunt kid, look closer.”

Imladris does, and through such, Lind gasps at the sight of wings that are `anything' but dragonkind like. The wings instead look puffy and.. “A celestial dragon?”

Imladris gawks out.. “I thought... eh? Drop me already! Ouch! Ah.. I thought such dragons couldn't exist normally!”

Irtasus then remarks as Yaltros rights himself. “Which is why I asked your Master Almighty for a return favor.”

Imladris blinks over. “Thought that was used in getting here to this world?”

Frig then remarks. “Ah, would this be that Commandment my Husband asked for of you Nephew?” Imladris blinks at that. “That actually doesn't make logic.”

“It does considering...” ..Irtasus begins, before the sound of gurgling makes everyone look, as Lind suddenly is throttling Imladris! “I knew you two did something back then!”

“Gur.. gua... she didn't... I didn't...”

“I `asked' your Lord Almighty for such. The genetic material came from Him.”

Lind drops Imlade like a stone, just before Frig goes semi-ballistic!

“He did WHAT??!!!”

A sudden teleport Gating of blinding light makes Skuld and Urd jump back a good ten meters! “Mother's mad!” ..both yelp and scatter behind various people for cover from the all too well known unknown of a Wife's anger!

Imladris just quips at Irtasus. “Great, one argument and the Dimensions will shear apart. Thanks for the surprise ol girl.”

“Sever thy tongue. I asked for an Angel Egg for her.”

“Mother.” ..the said angelic dragon quips embarrassed. Peorth cocks an eye. “She sounds like Belldandy. Pourquoi est si?”

Irtasus just shrugs, as Yaltros quips. “Still too `pure' for a true dragon.”

“She looks weird.” Imlade can't help but say. He doesn't see the other dragons SCOOT off and away to one side, as Angelus slits her silver-blue eyes, and retorts with her breath weapon!

Lind just quips a moment later.. “Oh, I like her. Can we keep her?” ..as everyone else gawks at the sight of Imlade stuck as if `frozen', in a solid block of light! Just replace ice with light, and the fact it's `very' solid, and you get the effect Imlade has, complete with the anime look of shock!

Irtasus just shrugs. “Sorta. We needed that Commandment to use a place Imladris owns in Heaven, as of part what your Lord Almighty suggested.”

Imlade watches helplessly as Lind remarks for him. “Ahh, the Tyr spaceport. You need permission to use that as your new lair home.” ..this Peorth quips in surprise. “Mortal dragons in Yagdrassil? I'm shocked Almighty is being so giving like that.”

Urd just floats over to the light-frozen knight. “Wow, you must have a `lot' of clout to help pull this off. Good job.” ..this Imlade just makes some incomprehensible, muffled sound within. Lind just floats over and hugs the `block' , breaking with her austere character more than ever. “Aww, that's my giving beloved.” ..with more muffled sounds seeping out. Angelus just hawks over the `cube' and quips.. “Don't call me weird, knight-chow.”

The muffles turn a bit sobby.

Meanwhile, the Generals looking on from on back, just smirk and allow the moment heedless to their presence. Mist just giggles. “It is much more fun in person.”

Hirund and Rend just shrug. “Eh, still about the same.” ..both quip in simult, to a muffled godson so encased.

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

-later that eve-

“Wow, quite ta story.” Takano quips, after Urd, Peorth and Skuld explained it. Skuld just quips for her nevermind. “Yeah, and Scetu has got that satellite repair thing going fast. Boy seeing those nanites they use in action is just too cool.”

Peorth/Urd: “Tech freak.”

Megumi just remarks. “Too much of a story. Dragons? Spaceships? Long lost loves?”

Urd/Peorth: “Watch it.”

“Sorry. But this is probably more wild than even you guys are used too.”

Urd actually remarks. “Actually it's about normal. The dragons were a switch though.”

Peorth just fiddles with some Yokan, as she however decries lightly.. “Still, we could have had a small part of..” ..this Urd sighs thickly. “Let is go girl-goddess. Let it go.” This at the memory of, when the agreements were made and all whatnot to allow the dragon family use of Imladris's Heavenly abode as their own lair from future use forth, as a mix and myriad of agreements and life saving decisions over the years were finally amended to this one act. And along with the two dragons and their gleaming kin, went with it one BIG FAT dragons hoard, that looked like it was larger than a three story building, set over ten city `square' blocks!!!

Peorth and Urd went jewelry crazy before Lind reminded for a still `blocky' Imlade, that the hoard, down to the copper-electrum piece, was part of the dragon's `soul bond', and was attached to each dragon as if it was their life's blood.

Still, Urd and Peorth had to be DRAGGED away, kicking and screaming, when the final Gate portal was made for the dragons to enter, and start their new lives through.

Takano just smirks as both goddesses just steam anime tears at their loss. “Gee, tha rewards are all worth it eh?”

Megumi then asks Skuld. “Where's Sentaro-kun at then?”

“He and his family went home to get away from us. Can't blame them given what's happened lately.”

Megumi just blinks. “You put that rather simply. No snippy remarks?”

Skuld just cracks. “Hey lady, you want to take a simulation trip on what we did today? That ship board holocenter gets pretty realistic.”

“Really? Maybe I can take Keiba sometime.”

Takano just blanches. “You kids an technology. I tell ya.” ..and makes a slurp of her tea. (Bell's blends got well used today.)

Speaking of.. “Speakin of. You didn't answer somethin.”

Urd blinks, and realizes. “Oh... that.”

Skuld looks over, before she then remembers whom is `not' present, and where whom are! “OH NO!!”

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

-about two hours earlier-

“Keiichi! Keiichi?! Wake up! Wake up please!!”

Keiichi made some kind of burp-moan sound and fluttered his eyes open. “Man, ow... what was the number of that moving truck that hit me?”

“Me.”

Kei looked at, and then in HORROR realized. “I didn't.. I mean.. I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry, I'm pure dung!”

Belldandy just giggled. “Don't worry. As long as you are fine, I am fine.”

Keiichi blushes at the tone, but looks like he's been poisoned, at seeing the slight shiner that is `actually' on Belldandy's forehead! Bell sees this and reacts.. “Your face is red again! Are you okay?!” ..and thrusts her head onto his! (This time softly.) Keiichi gulps as he feels Bell's head slightly pulsing, not sure if it's the bruise or her natural goddessness flowing through. Belldandy then notes. “No, no fever or... ah..” ..and `notes', as their faces are lethally close.

Belldandy then suddenly realizes. “Oh! This is what they were talking about in those sessions.”

“They did? Who and what they did?”

Belldandy just `stares' far too innocently, before she feels her own pulse flutter up. Keiichi's already went through his throat, as he then notes. “Ah.. um.. I wonder if they'll come and get us.” ..noting they `still' are in that `same' Fuji crater overlook. The chill he notes to ask the question, seems to fade with the warmth of the moment.

“Um... uh... soon.”

K1 blinks. “Eh?” ..did Bell just..?

The haze seems to waif up, if on cue, as then one lithe form within `collapses' untop another shrimpy one.

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

-about two and a half hours later-

From such on high, Urd `knows' where to look. So doing.. “Aw gee. Well, at least it's.. what, second base?”

“Say WHAT!?!?” Skuld suddenly zips over, and `sees' something atop her modified Banpei-backpack booster. “They just didn't!! Eh!? HEY! Stop dragging me away Peorth! Dang it!! I said stop!!!” ..dragging away.. “I got a Skuld Bomb Special with your name on it Keiichi!!!!”

Urd just rolls her eyes, as she looks down at the `disheveled' scene below. “Oh well, at least K-boy `touched' her finally. Better be lipstick ruffled hair too.” ..she floats down towards to cuddling `sleepers'. She lands and just sighs, as an `obvious' opportunity got essentially wasted. (By Urd ecchi-rulebook at least.) “Well, they at least look happy.”

Urd then remarks with a huff. “Still, we need to get you another session grrl.” ..she taking a tone from Chihiro's vocabulary, as Bell and Kei sleep away peacefully, having had one heck of a make out session, but not much more than. (Approaching elementary school graduation folks.)

Urd just flicks the Comm unit she borrowed from Lind. (Not Imlade, see below,) and imparts. “Found them metal dude. Just zap them over to their room. No need to wake them.”

“// Understood. \”

Urd just then looks down, as the teleporter chime starts ramping up, at the two cuddled forms. She whispers then.. “Maybe....” ...a faint echo of a `Spirited' love past.

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

Peorth had a flighty-fancy thought of that in that same moment, even despite Skuld's manic screaming hissy fit of heck. She so did, and reacted in a unusual manner.

“Ewwww... ick, yuck! Did you have to sneeze on me Peorth?!? Eyuck!”

Peorth watched as her `humanic' code from her nasal capillaries and whatnot, were slopped off Skuld's shivering head and shoulders. (With grotesque sounds to boot.)

“Pardonnez moi.” Peorth meeks out.

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

Talos and Troubadour meanwhile just sat strangely content at the bottom of the Temple steps, watching as Imlade was literally being `chiseled' out by Lind, Mara and Sigrun. Lind just made a `chock' sound with her chisel and hammer, and complained. “This can be solved with a good swipe of my Axe.”

Imlade actually objected! “What!? And mess up this gorgeous material!? This is `rare' stuff migoddess! I plan to sculpt with this stuff! What with my usual down times of boredom and all.”

Lind just rolled her eyes. “Light-freak.”

Sigrun just picks up a decent sized block of still `very' solid light. “To think a dragon could use such a technique.” ..and then looks as Mara makes a shivering sound. “Damn, this stuff is giving me a rash, this I'm swearing!”

“Careful around the lower shin there Mara.”

Mara just pig-snorts back with a growl. “How bout I chisel your mouth out instead!”

Imlade, down to his lower shins, below the knee of this `block', just sticks his tongue out at the demon, and nearly pays for it as warned. Sigrun meanwhile just chocks away like a wood carver on Ryuten. “You realize this material could decoalesce at any time.”

“Somehow I doubt it Apprentice.” Imlade remarks candidly to Sigrun, whom blushes a bit at the new title. “Lady Angelus seems to have a special gift. A genetic breeding of a dragonling with an Angel Egg is rather unprecedented. I doubt many normal rules will apply with her. Knowing they are safe in Heaven is a comforting thought.”

Sigrun nods, but Mara just moans. “Sorry, but the same thought makes me nauseous.” ..and then looks at the two freeloaders. “Hey, ain't it time for you two to get packing?”

Troubadour objects with a manic wave of his hands. “I am the Council's representative here until this Voluspa business is competed! There you have it and leave it!”

Mara just mumbles something under her breath, not meant for little kids, about the Spirit.

Imlade cocks an eye at Talos then, whom looks every bit lost. “You okay good sir?”

“No.” Talos remarks, trying `not' to think about his predicament. No one else had to remark of it either. Stuck on foreign world plane with `nothing' to go back to. This, among `other' uncertainties, were better left alone for the sake of the current moment. Enough trauma for one day as it is. Talos instead picks up a good sized `block' of light, and cradles it.

“I'll try not to burden ye all for long.”

Imlade just chuckles. “As if I am no less here.”

Mara/Troubadour: “No kidding.”

“Aw man. No fair.” ..they all (those present,) have a reason to chuckle some. Imlade then feels on his right calf. “Uh, Lind dear milove? An itch down... EWWEEYYY!!!” ..as he sees (now present,) a Valkyrie and her Axe. (It's a beautiful thing, if nasty.) “Lind! I said not an Axe!”

“It's been three hours `dear'.”

Imladris gulps as Lind twirls her Axe, and the others skedaddle over to the residence! “Now love, uh.. dear.. this land already had dealt with enough trauma. I mean Troubadour over there won't like it if there's a gouge in the earth here.”

Troubadour just yelps. “Don't drag me into this!”

“Will you help me already!!!” ..with a girly screech, as Lind just ignores `all' pleading, and makes one efficient, and direct swipe of her Axe down through what was left of the block! With razor sharp precision, she cuts the block remainder in clean two, to the clapping of the gallery behind.

And also.. “YOU CUT MY CLOTHES OFF!!” ..lengthwise to be sure. They all flutter away like peeled off leaves, (save for the plain unmentionables, thank light for sight saved.) Talos just comments for his own weird reasons. “Not sure what's more ripped. Him or his cloth?” ..this Troubadour.. “Please make not of mention.” This as Mara and Sigrun spin around with furious blushes, as Lind sigh-cradles her right cheek and half-blushes out. “Oh dear, I must have gotten too carried away again.”

Imlade just points and accuses. “Deliberate! On purpose! Foul git!”

“What the heck is that noise now!?” Takano pops her head out, and then sees to her.. “Oh my.” ..blushing retreat. Mara then `warns' Sigrun. “Better get used to it all like this. It's worse than a curse here I tell you.”

Sigrun just sighs, and then creeps an honest smile. “Is it really?”

Mara just moans. “Can we just hurry up and win this war already? Please?”

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

-That heavenly evening along side, at such a moment.-

“Well, at least this place finally is more than just a monument.”

Hirund folds her arms, as she and her Sisters look on, along with a good spread of other goddesses everywhere, as the newest attraction took up residence at Tyr Starport. Here a dragon family was finally safe and sound. Irtasus angles her gargantuan head over to the Generals, while Njal and Seren gave look over with other goddesses of the Infirmary Section. “So this was the former home for our mutual charge.”

“Aye. Though Imladris never got a chance to use this place much.” Rend giggled out. A gold dragonling with silver claws and fangs then flies overhead, as Irtasus snaps. “Don't fly too far, I said Sirutus!!”

“There's going to be that a lot I sense.” Rend quips. Irtasus just snorts frozen vapor at her. Mist chips a bit off of Rend's hair. “Wow, she frosted your hair.”

“So I noted. Hey. HEY! You'll cause split ends goddess! Cut it out!!”

Hirund just rolled her eyes, as she noted despite, how peaceful it all was here. Knowing this, she angled a glance over towards Central Hub, where a portion known to be Almighty's `residence', was all psychedelic and warped looking. Like it was an LSD trip scene or such. Hirund just sighed. “Boy, when Frigurina has her dander up.”

She just looked away, and considered what she and her sisters would be doing tomorrow.

Mist, noting the smirking look on Hirund, just smiles over. “So, we still on for the nosy-busybody trip?”

“Aye.”

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

The wails were soothing to him, somehow. “Mother.”

“:: Is it ready to be undone. ::”

The chamber of the `Emperor' was empty. After the spate earlier, none dare to question their ejection from the chamber, as Caceroth demanded an audience with Her goddess Seer. The reasons were easily direct, and the answer back was so in turn. “The tools are in place Mother. All will by presumption before the snares catch `all' unawares.”

The next tone in return, actually made the Wraith Lord shudder with unexpected emotion!

“:: Ensure the price for My pain is endless. Ensure life remains eve after acquisition of the Catalyst. However, even if of failure, bring me assurance of your Nemesis, to assure even after I Arrive, the Champion will know the endless suffering in my Afterrealm!

There, we will relish in new torment in the darkness After Oblivion! THIS I DEMAND OF SUCH!!! ::”

Caceroth, the ever dutiful Lord, bows at the knee. He shudders at the next telling however. “:: Demand I do, so as to defeat my own Visions that betray me. Bring unto me He of our direct foe, and ensure I am not defeated by what I choose to ignore. ::”

Doubt, began it's creep into a Son at that moment. The tiny imperfections, that start driving greater things.

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

(End Act IV-b - Vol. II )

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Author's Notes: This was a `hard' act to write. Between the holidays and my own RL stuff to deal with, this all kinda had to take a back seat while sorting through some things. But nevermind all that, since I also had time to figure out where I want to take this story after this is all done. Valkyrie's Mirror that is. Course I still have to finish all this first. (Need to stop thinking ahead of myself and all.)

The big deal is to explore some more relationship vectors that seemed fair to base Urd and Peorth with. Mind ye Talos is my own creation along this line, while Troubadour needed to be shown in a far better light. Both will be shown further down the coming Acts, so expect both `boyfriends' to be around for some time.

Hope this one turned out right, been wanting to do this one for a while, the dragons and all. Been in my mind ever since I first mentioned Irtasus in Vol. I, Prologue III. Feels good to finally have this one done.

Don't worry if some details seem missing again, I got that in mind for the next Act.

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