Once we were all inside the crystal palace Shining, Gilda and I were all talking over the locations for these challenges based on the map Discord gave us. "Hmm… it would seem from here, the closest rift is somewhere near the Frozen North's border. The furthest seems to be here on Mt. Bahamut, in the Dragon Lands."
“Really?” I asked. “They named a mountain after him?”
"Well, A he is their God and B, that mountain is said to be his nest. The mountain constantly secretes lava so hot not even the dragons can swim deeper than a few yards so no one knows for sure. Though legends do say should he wake up and emerge from the mountain, the biggest horde in dragon history will be seen by all the dragons… before Bahamut sets fire to the world."
“Well then...” I started. “Who knew the little guy would try to set fire to the world like that...although Mega Flare is a thing...”
"Well, regardless. We can send small task forces to each location in Equestria to make sure no one enters them by accident. It will also allow us to set up a rapid travel teleport system to each location."
"Cool." Gilda nodded.
“That’s good.” I nodded. “But the rift is a good enough excuse to head to the Dragon Lands, plus there’s a piece of Sombra there from what both Sombra himself said and a few other hints I’ve gotten.” I shrugged.
"Better to get every piece of him. How many are left?" Shining asked.
"From what Sombra said, eight more scattered around the planet." I answered.
"That's eight too much." Shining growled. "Traveling to the Dragon Lands will take a three day travel by zeppelin."
"So what are dragons like here?" I inquired.
"Well, some are like Spike, calm, cool headed and small/average height. Others are massive, rude and greedy. Though from reports we've gathered the large dragons are vanishing, which is not a good sign."
"That's definitely not a good sign when castle sized dragons just go missing." Gilda nodded.
"I really hope they aren't becoming unsent…" I said carefully. "But if they are...how strong are Dragons?"
"The current dragon Lord, on top of his right as Dragon Lord to hold the power that can command Dragons, his fire has melted star metal, and his strength has shown him to literally walk through a mountain."
"Oh…" I started carefully. "Well...if most dragons are like that then...a lot of bad things might happen."
"Only the big, ancient ones are. Dragons are a unique race that actually never stop growing as they age. While greed growth can accelerate their growth, it leaves them nothing more than mindless animals. The largest of them are ancient, one actually predates the Princesses and another predates pony kind. Both have long since entered the eternal slumber."
“And...that means they're dead or...we’re literally standing on top of them as the reason Earthquakes exist is because one of them is snoring?” I asked.
“Bit of both actually. See, Dragons are one of a few races to naturally have a form of immortality. While they measure their age with size, when a dragon gets too old to want to live on, they’ll burry themselves into a self dug hole and sleep. They sleep for so long that their bodies literally fossilize and become stone… and their insides… become gemstones.”
“Wait… so, all these massive gemstone deposits are…” Gilda started.
“The remains of ancient dragons that went to eternal sleep long ago.” Shining nodded.
“But… Dragons eat gems! Isn’t that… cannibalism?”
“You eat eggs, is that cannibalism?”
“I mean, not from my own species…”
“To the dragons, the eternal sleep is an eventual part of life, in exchange for death their bodies become rock and gems for the planet to reshape into gems the ones still alive need to raise their young and keep their fires going.”
“Well...that makes sense I suppose.” I shrugged...but then a realization hit me. “Uh...I don’t like that...like at all...a lot of bad things are going to happen and I’m liking it less and less the more I think about it.”
“Yeah…” Shining sighed.
“No...as in either the entire underground is filled with Pyreflies from these dead dragons...dead ancient dragon’s the size of a mountain range...and crystallized Pyreflies…” I started carefully.
“Oh… Well that’s even worse.” Gilda stated.
“Guess it’s off to the Dragon Lands then.” Shining armor stated.
“Yes...as fast as we can…” I started carefully. “But...it’s going to take three days, unless Thor somehow knows a way to speed up that process.” I said honestly.
CRASH!
“Did thou call me?” Thor asked from the hole in the side of the wall.
“How the fuck did you get here so fast?!” Gilda asked.
“Mjolnir can have me travel the entire surface of a planet in minutes.” Thor stated.
“How did you hear us talking about you?” Shining asked.
“I was actually here cause Luna received word about the Sombra shard in the Dragon Lands. He’s made himself public, and it’s not going well for the dragons.” Thor explained. “This was mostly just a well timed coincidence.”
“Then we need to move fast.” I said. “How fast can you get us to the Dragon Lands?”
“Anna, how do you expect to get there and fight while pregnant?” Shining asked.
“Uh… I’m super magical and things will work out?” I asked sheepishly.
“Well… what about me?” Gilda asked. “I’m a Prophet of her’s now. She managed to link me to a golem body, maybe that link can work backwards.”
“You mean Anna using your body?” Shining asked.
“Well, yeah.” Gilda nodded.
“It’s a weird god thing that...honestly sounds like something I should have done when we officially got married.” I sighed out. “But you sure Gilda? I don’t know much about it, and Vincent’s only just started teaching me my Life powers.”
“It’s better than putting yourself and the babies at risk. Besides, if you’re controlling my body then I know you’ll return it to me in one piece. Maybe a little bruised and a few scuffs but those can get buffed out.” The griffon said with a chuckle.
I wanted to argue, but with all the unknowns about my own powers and what Sombra’s doing…”I’m still going, cause I don’t know if there’s a distance limit to it and...maybe I need to be there for you to absorb Pyreflies like myself.”
“If you are then Thor is gonna hold your body back.” Gilda stated.
“Let’s just hope things don’t get too weird here…” I said carefully. “I don’t want weird pyrefly shenanigans to happen to you as well…”
We arrived quickly in the dragon lands, and I rapidly began trying to see about using Gilda’s body as my own. I didn’t like it, but after some effort and advice from Thor, I found myself looking at myself, and looking down as Gilda’s hands and talons… woah…
It took a bit. Gilda’s body felt different than my Griffon form. In that form, I’m different but I still feel like me… but in Gilda’s body I felt… different. Like it wasn’t mine… which it wasn’t.
My actual body laid almost sleeping on the ground next to Thor.
"Alright…" I said through Gilda. "This...feels completely new…"
“Just try and not to think about it.” Thor stated. “Now, the dragons need aid, go forth and aid them while I stand guard over your true body.”
I nodded and spread Gilda's wings and flew off towards where the dragons would need me. "Are you there Gilda?" I asked, hoping Gilda was still with me even if I was controlling their body.
Nothing. That... worried me. I almost started flying back but I spotted some Unsent Dragons flying around. They were about the size of semi trucks and seemed to be hunting the smaller, younger dragons.
“Yeah I’m not gonna let that happen.” I said, diving down swiftly as I prepared my claws to slash at these things.
The scales were tough, but thankfully the bits where Pyreflies leaked out were a weak spot I exploited.
I managed to luck out and was able to summon my Lunar armor, and used my Halberd to cut along their scales and slash them open. To my surprise, the Pyreflies floated towards Gilda’s body and were absorbed by them. Huh… Are all my powers usable while… borrowing Gilda’s body?
“Hmm...that’s interesting.” I said, wondering if Gilda was now able to do what I can because of this.
Once all the Unsent dragons were slain I flew down to check on the dragons.
“Hello?” I called out. “Are you all okay?”
“Who… are you?” One of the dragons, a red and orange scaled male drake asked.
“Uh...that’s a little complicated.” I said carefully.
“How did you kill those crazed dragons?” A smaller drake, female with two tones of orange interrupted before I could explain further. “The most Dragon Lord Torch has been able to do is stall them before they get back up.”
“Did you see those weird floating lights?” I asked, which they all nodded. “I’m able to absorb them and stop them from coming back to life.”
“Oh, you must be that Goddess of Life Torch was talking about.” The red one spoke up. “Dragon Lord torch was hoping you’d show up. I’m Garble, and this here is my little sister Smolder.” The red drake, Garble explained. “When those… things, showed up Torch ordered an evacuation. Lot of the bigger drakes didn’t listen and we all saw first hand what happened to them.” He shivered.
“Currently I’m inhabiting one of my mates' bodies, Gilda.” I pointed out. “But the dragon lord’s been looking forward to seeing me? Where is he at the moment?”
“You’re… possessing someone?” The small orange dragoness, Smolder asked, her and some others taking a step back.
“It’s not what you think.” I said quickly. “This is completely consensual...Gilda is my mate and Prophet...if you know what that is.”
“Relax guys.” Garbel said to the others. “Sorry, we’ve all just been through a lot recently.” The older drake apologized. “Lot of us are barely out of Whelpling years, It’s been rough keeping everyone together and moving.”
“It’s alright...I’m sorry we weren’t here sooner.” I sighed out. “Just...a lot of thing’s have been happening all at once for me to be honest, but where’s Torch and the others?”
“Torch was keeping the majority at bay so we could escape. We were larger but got split up when these things started chasing us. Torch’s daughter, Ember was with us originally but she was one of the ones we got split up with. Last we saw her was three miles back.”
“Right then.” I said while picking up some ash from the land. “Hopefully this works…” I muttered as I tried to use my life magic to turn this pile of ash into some sort of scouting bird that can survive this harsh place.
After a moment or two the two dragon’s watched in awe as the ash swirled around in the palm of my hand as a weird stone-like falcon seemed to form from it, cracks lining it’s entire body as a reddish molten glow puslated from it like a pulse. “Alright, go find any survivor’s and bring them to me.” I said to my new Stone Falcon, which nodded and flew off rather quickly to search for others.
“Woah. That’s cool.” Garble said with a smile. “Don’t suppose you have someplace safe nearby?”
“About three miles that way you’ll find my original body and Thor on a chariot with two war horse sized goats.” I said, pointing in the right direction. “It may not be as safe as say a cave or anything, but when you have the physically strongest Norse God by your side you might as well be as safe as can be.”
“Anything is better than where we came from.” Garble said with a nod. “Come on everyone, let’s head there and fast.”
“Do you remember where everyone was evacuating to?” I asked curiously.
“We were trying to reach the Nursery, it was the most secure place but we had to run wherever when they started heading towards us. We didn’t want to lead them there so we went a different direction.”
“Where’s the Nursery?” I asked worriedly.
“By flight it’s a few minutes that way.” Garble pointed.
“Thank you.” I nodded. “Think you can make it to Thor by yourselves?” I asked with honest concern at how it all felt like the Dragon Lands has been falling very quickly.
“You took out those things that were chasing us so I think we’ll be good from here on out.”
“Cool.” I nodded, spreading my wings. “Stay safe, and I’ll be back, hopefully with others.”
I took off, heading towards the Nursery as I hurried.
I arrived at a glowing red soil patch of craters that all seemed to be empty. I kept looking around and eventually spotted a small dug out hole that upon landing I spotted a few of the younger drakes and many eggs all hiding in the rather cramped space.
“Hello?” I asked carefully to the young drakes.
“Y-don’t come any closer.” One of the drakes stated. Their voice was trembling but they were standing their ground between the eggs behind them and I.
“It’s alright, I’m a friend.” I said softly. “My names Anna, the Goddess of Life, I’m speaking to you through my Prophet and mate, Gilda.” I said gently and carefully.
“Have you seen the Welplings?” They asked. “They were supposed to meet up here for the evacuation but so far only a small group has arrived.”
“If you mean Garble and Smolder, I saved them and directed them towards another one of my mates, Thor the Nordic God of Thunder to keep them away from here.” I explained softly. “And I sent a Stone Falcon to try and find anyone else and direct them to safety.”
“Alright… We will need help, these eggs can’t be left alone less those… things harm them.”
“What thing’s?” I inquired. “Anything that wasn’t those Unsent Dragons?”
“No, just those.” They stated. “A few flew overhead a while ago but thankfully didn’t notice us.”
“Alright.” I nodded. “Is there anyone else coming here that you know of? Any of the adults that were doing anything else?”
“Most were helping Torch fend off the beasts. Others were trying to escape with their own mates and whelps. We were just told to wait until sundown to evacuate to the equestrian borders.”
“Well it’s a good thing Equestria is on it’s way to help you all then.” I nodded. “How many eggs and whelpling’s are here?” I asked, looking around the whole at all of them and trying to count them all.
“Currently there are thirty six eggs, and ten whelplings.”
I frowned, not liking how little there was here and how much I had to protect here. “I can’t leave you all here without someone to protect you...but I can’t stay here and help the other’s trying to fend off the Unsent…” I started, trying to think of someway to...wait a minute. “Hold on, I think I have an idea.” I said, taking a few steps back as I channeled my magic. “First time doing summoning magic...how hard can it be?” I muttered, trying to call upon either Ifrit or someone in my spirit realm to help me out here.
The whelpling’s started to see glowing orbs surround me as a strange ancient symbol appeared above me, as suddenly a large great sword descended from the heavens and slammed down into the ground, the dust kicking up and preventing them from seeing who was summoned until they heard footsteps, seeing a tall tanned figure pick up the sword and rest it on one of his shoulders. “So, what do ya need, kid?” Jecht asked me casually.
“Mind protecting these kids while I go out and look for other survivors?” I asked.
“... My first time out of yer… wait… why are you your bird femboy?” Jecht asked.
“Gilda is my Prophet, so I can possess them.” I said honestly. “And yes I know, it would be a lot better but we have a massive problem at the moment.”
“Fine, fine. So, first time out of your noggin and I’m on guard duty. Heh, reminds me of the old days.” He said.
“At least you can fight dragon’s here.” I shrugged. “They can literally walk through mountains if they're old and big enough though.”
“Huh, well that’s a consolation prize. So, who am I protecting?” Jecht asked.
“These Whelpling’s and all the eggs.” I said, taking a step away and motioning to all the kids and unborn. “I’ll have to go out and look for survivors, and you're the most experienced fighter I can summon...which I’m still glad I did that first try.”
“Well, best to head off. I’ll hang here and deal with anything looking to pick a fight.” Jecht stated.
“Thanks Jecht.” I nodded. “This is a friend of mine, he’ll keep you safe while I’m gone trying to find everyone else, alright?” I said softly to all the children.
With a nod from them I took flight into the air and began heading towards the towers of flame and high rising smoke and dust.
“Considering my Falcon hasn’t come back and all that fighting is over there…” I hummed, hoping my Falcon found some people and tried getting them to safety as I flew off swiftly towards the raging fight.
As I began to enter the dust cloud I barely evaded a massive claw. The thing was three times Gilda’s size and the part of the paw it was attached to, was insane…
“Sweet lord…” I grumbled, flying around carefully and looking at my would be assailant to see if it was either an accident or on purpose.
A roar echoed out and blasted me into the air some. It parted the dust and smoke enough for me to… sweet gods…
A giant mountain sized dragon, wounds deeper than Gilda’s body and their own blood decorated their flesh. Bits of bone were visible as well and despite that, he retaliated against his attacker with equal ferocity and anger as they.
I flew past the mountain of a dragon. “Don’t worry! Goddess of Life is here to help!” I called out, trying to get towards the dragon he was fighting and hopefully to absorb the pyreflies that they might be spawning.
As I did the wounded drake took the aid and began fighting faster and harder to help me absorb them.
Soon they were all finally gone and I landed as they crashed to the ground.
“Don’t worry, I gotcha.” I said, flying over and trying to use my Goddess of Life powers to try and help the dragon heal from it’s injuries. “How you holding up there?”
“I will be dead soon…” He groaned as his grounds gushed blood out like rivers. “I don’t have long.”
“Like hell that’s happening.” I said. “But...I’m not in my body...uh…” I thought frantically. “Thor! Bring my body real quick!” I called out quickly, hoping he can hear me. “You’re not dying on me old man, you still have a long life to live…”
He chuckled. “I am Dragon Lord Torch. I have lived for Six Million, two hundred and eight thousand, nine hundred and three years. I have spawned only one child, my daughter, and I was planning on passing on the mantle of Dragon Lord to a youngblood. I was to take the eternal slumber shortly after… Dying in battle, honestly, sounds better to an old drake like myself.”
“What if I said there’s more you can do as a soul?” I inquired.
“Were anyone else I’d ask… to be left in peace… but, you, a Goddess of Life… what do you have to say on the matter?”
“I’ll need all your experience and knowledge to stop the coming tide of Death and Undeath.” I said. “So how do I...absorb your soul? Cause absorbing souls might need to be specific, cause it was for Changelings.”
“I’ve heard of such magics. Long ago, when I myself was but a welp. So long… as the one being taken in… is willing…” He breathed.
“Then please, do you accept my request, to let your body rest and have your soul continue to aid me for the future?” I asked softly, flying up and putting my hand on his head gently.
“Under… one… condition.” He said, managing to move a claw and reach to his chest and pulled some up. From the apparently underscale pocket, he handed me a stone and gem staff. “The staff of the Dragon Lord. Pass it along to someone worthy… and… protect my daughter, Ember.”
“I will Dragon Lord Torch.” I said softly, taking the staff gently from him. “I promise.”
“Good… Good…” He said, his eyes finally closing his eyes. A single white light, not quite like a Pyrefly, but something more floated from the old Dragon Lord. It was so small… so… fragile. I took it, taking it into me… well, into Gilda through me and such.
“I really hope this won’t do something weird to Gilda…” I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath as I saw my falcon fly over with a blue scaled dragoness and two other whelplings.
The dragoness flies right past me, almost crashing into the fallen Dragon Lord. “Dad? Dad! Wake up!” She cried.
So… she’s… Ember…
“God damn it…” I muttered.
She was just shy of my, er, Gilda’s height. That included the horns. She clung to her fathers claw, hope quickly fading from her like the blood still flowing from her fathers corpse...
“Hey…” I said softly, flying down to Ember’s side. “You...must be Ember correct?”
She didn’t say anything, just holding onto her father’s claw, weeping softly into the lifeless bone.
“I have some important things to tell you...from your father.” I said softly.
“Pass along the Lordship… and protect me, right?” She replied. I was silent for a bit at her answer. “Sounds just like him… He would…”
“And that he isn’t...technically fully gone.” I mentioned. “So first of all, my names Anna, the Goddess of Life speaking to you through my Prophet, Gilda, my mate...and Dragon Lord Torch let me absorb his soul willingly, so he can still help through these trying times and help you through this.” I said softly. “So he’s still with us.”
“... That… oddly helps…” She breathed out. “We never saw eye to eye, and argued a lot… but…” She sighed. “At least… he died like he always hoped. Like a warrior…”
“I understand.” I nodded. “He was strong and proud...told me it was better than the Eternal Slumber…”
“He never did like the idea of just letting it happen in his sleep…” She stood up, giving a pat to her fathers claw. “So, where are we going?”
“Well I see you helped protect two others.” I looked and saw the two whelplings. “And either we head to the Nursery where all the other whelpling’s and eggs are, or we go to my fiance Thor and his chariot.” I said honestly. “Is there any other dragon’s around here if I may ask?”
“Just… dead ones…” Ember stated. “We’ll head to the nursery and gather up the eggs. I take it you wanna deal with that porcelain shadow man over by Mt. Bahumat?”
“That’s one of the reasons why I’m here yes.” I nodded. “And I’ll kill that rat bastard for everything he’s done and help bring back the dragon’s pride alright?”
"Screw pride… just kill that demon."
I nodded. “I’ll make sure the bastard dies.”
I flew up and off, easily spotting where this Shard of Sombra was. He made a throne from dragon corpses and various Unsent Dragons all flew around him.
I landed at the base of his 'throne'. "So, you're the one who's been collecting my other pieces." It said to me.
"Yes I am." I nodded. "So do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?"
"Do I ever pick the easy way?" They asked as they manifested a large battle axe in their grasp.
"It would be preferred if you did…" I sighed out, donning my Lunar armor and ready to kick his ass.
With a rush of wind I attacked first. The shard of Sombra and I clashed. Somehow, he was able to keep up. I don't know if it was because of the fact I was in Gilda's body over my own, or because this one was stronger than normal.
“You’re going to pay for all the dragon’s you’ve slaughtered.” I growled, trying to blindside Sombra with a talon slash in our weapon struggle.
"They are not the first drake's I've slaughtered." He replied, pushing me back enough to slam the blade of his axe into the ground. "Meet the rest." He said, the ground bursting open as black and red crystal dragons began crawling out of the ground. I counted thirty. Ten were small, maybe just passed Whelpling years, the rest were the size of houses with one being as tall as Canterlot Castle.
“Well...shit…” I started carefully, thinking about how I should be the one here and not Gilda. “This is not good...not good at all.”
I backed up in time to dodge some black fire and claw swipes from the things. A quick jab from Sinful Moon however showed that these things can still get frozen and are rather fragile when they are.
“Well...at least it’ll be easy enough.” I said, absorbing the Pyreflies through Gilda and at least thankful I can do that so they don’t come back.
I was careful in taking out the Crystal drakes and once I managed to finish off the last one I noticed… Sombra's gone… did… did he fucking run?!
“Asshole!” I shouted, flying up into the air and looking around for the bastard.
I was soaring around for a while but saw nothing. Acting quick I headed back to the Nursery. Thankfully everyone here was safe and they were transporting the eggs into Thor's chariot.
"Did you get him?" Ember asked me.
“The bastard ran off after I killed some unsent dragon’s he summoned.” I frowned. “Is there something special in Mt. Bahamut that I should know about?”
"Aside from legends telling it's the sleeping nest of Bahamut himself… there's been a weird shimmer in the air. Like, barely visible but noticeable if you look. A few drakes thought it was just the heat waves from the lava but when one flew towards it they just up and vanished. No one's been up there since."
“Right then.” I nodded, thinking about where that Sombra piece could be and if I should go back to my body and deal with him myself. “This is...really annoying now…” I sighed out, wanting to help the people the best I could, but knowing I couldn’t hurt my unborn children in the process.
I waited and watched as all the eggs and whelps got onto Thor's chariot. I was happy It was big enough to fit them all. "What now Anna?" Thor asked.
I sighed out as I put a hand on my own body. “I think I know where Sombra is trying to get to...and I don’t know if Gilda can handle it, even with the Solar Armor…”
"Mt. Bahamut?" Thor asked as I nodded. "So long as they are adorned in the armor like the lunar armor you currently adorn, the effects will be active. The armor protects all who wear it, not just you Anna."
“Really?” I asked. “Huh...neat...but I don’t want Gilda hurt...and I don’t want…” I groaned. “This sucks...not being able to fight my own battles and possibly getting others hurt in the process…”
"There is no easy choice in battle, only survival and victory." Thor stated.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it…” I sighed out, but deciding to go through the Sphere Grid to see if I can make Gilda stronger real quick before finding and beating Sombra.
I was thankfully able to boost their defense and add some HP. Though while Defense I can get, The HP part will confuse me a bit.
With that all done I swapped to the Solar Armor and flew off towards the tall, lava flowing Mt. Bahamut.
It was up here at the peak I spotted the shimmering of one of those rifts… and the Sombra shard, standing unaffected by the intense heat around us.
“Oh no you don’t!” I shouted, flying swiftly as I brought out my solar weapon and tried to smack him.
He dodged, and since he did I ended up flying right into the rift.
I crashed hard into something large. Stone it seemed. Ouch…
I stood up, taking a look around at where exactly I was… lots of red rocks… and seemingly dessert for miles. So I'm either in the Mid western US, Australia, or maybe even Africa… shit!
“Well this isn’t good…” I started carefully, looking up to see what I specifically rammed into.
After getting out of it and flying up I recognized it easily enough, seen a fair few pictures of it. I am in Australia.
“So why the hell am I in Australia of all places?” I wondered. “Cause...if it’s to find Bahamut's fayth...well I better find it before Sombra does…” I muttered, looking around quickly for anything that might give me directions.
I started flying around, looking for those Broken Fayth things to get Bahamut's pieces. I managed to find a house way out in the middle of nowhere though. Next door was a lake filled with crocodiles and a spider the size of Gilda's chest had a web in a nearby tree.
The house seems to have seen use-
"If you can talk, best start birdie." Someone said as the sound of a shotgun cocking made itself known next to my/Gilda's head as I entered the house.
“I’m a friend.” I said, raising my hands up carefully. “Who are you if I may ask?”
"Dean. So, what's a weird ass freak of nature like you doing here?" He asked as he stepped in front of me. He was human, white with blue eyes, brown hair and a gator skin jacket, pants and boots.
'You've apparently never heard of Griffon’s...or anthro’s.” I started. “Also don’t insult my fiance, just because I’m using his body doesn’t mean you can insult him like that.”
"... Of all the things in that sentence setting off alarm bells in my head… that's a guy's body?" Dean asked with a raised brow.
“It’s a long and complicated story, but yes, this body is a dude’s.” I nodded. “So to answer your growing question, my names Anna, and my fiance’s body that I’m using is named Gilda, and...you’re in a dimensional rift.”
"Huh. I owe Jacob fifty then… figured we were either in Purgatory or hell. But, you know this how?"
“Because I’ve been through three of these so far, and I’ve helped someone in your situation before.” I said honestly. “So, you said someone else is here?”
"Not here. Down the road. My neighbor. Lot of us keep isolated. Seems majority of the… things out there attack ya if you're in a group of more than fifty. Cities went to hell fast that way." Dean stated, finally lowering his shotgun. "Guess I can give you a chance, first one of these freaks I've seen talk, and that's including the zombies."
“What did these Zombies look like?” I asked curiously.
"Well, like people still mostly save the weird glow lights spilling out from them. Fuckers do nothing but mumble shit about Father, Mother and 'Join Us'. A few good slugs to limbs and I feed em to my Gators. They don't come back after that. Though the poor things shit those weird glow lights for a while after."
“Pyreflies.” I corrected. “Basically someone’s soul from a game called Final Fantasy X, and did any of those zombies look...different to you?” I inquired, remembering that one hybrid unsent that still made me very uncomfortable.
"Hmm… heard about one fella from my neighbor that went towards the city, saw one with six arms, legs and heads walking around like a retarded spider, that count?"
“Yes...that does count.” I nodded. “Well...that’s not entirely good.” I started carefully. “Mind if I see the pyreflies near your gators? I have a nifty trick to show you.”
"Can't. Lights float off towards the major cities after a bit. None left around to see unless one of those Zombies show up again and lately they all stay near the cities."
“Well...shit.” I started. “Well, all I can say is to start sending messages to everyone still alive to start packing up, cause I’m going to be bringing you all to a much better world after I’m done dealing with all the monsters and zombies here.” I said honestly.
"And what am I gonna tell them? A Griffon that stands like a person, looks like a girl but is actually a guy being controlled by someone or thing else clad in gold armor told me to tell everyone to get ready for a move?"
I wanted to argue… but even I couldn't and I'm the living proof of the rather convoluted situation...
“Right…” I started carefully. “Divine intervention would sound kind of bad too...at least tell people that help finally arrived for the monster problem.”
"Best go tell that to those Humanity Forces trying to wipe the cities clean. Their camps make up the majority of the camps still around."
“Great…” I muttered. “What direction is one of the big cities? I’ve never actually been to Australia, I’ve only seen pictures and heard jokes about how...insane this place is half the time.”
“Well, head a few miles west and you’ll be in Warburton. Place ain’t much but it’s got three camps making use of the ruins.”
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “I’ll be off to start dealing with the monsters...I’d recommend getting ready to appear in a different world just in case. It’s happened twice before with Yellowstone and a Cargo Ship for Walmart believe it or not.”
“Huh. Did they have the weird Time thing there too?”
“I…” I started. “No, cause Yellowstone was in an active state but during the entire time me and Gilda were there it didn’t go off until after it fused with the main world.” I said, thinking that might make some sense. “At least...I think that’s how it would work if it wasn’t just a coincidence…”
“Dunno what any of that means. Things here just sorta, reset after midnight. Or what Midnight should be.”
“Hmm...that’s weird.” I said, never having met living people in a rift before or spent more than a single day here. “Thanks for the talk, I’ll be off to try and fix all these things then.”
“Try not to get shot. Lot of folks here take to a shoot first policy these days.”
With a nod I flew off and headed West. From the air I was able to see the town from here.
Majority of the buildings now seemed to be hobbled together, some burned as large trucks and makeshift walls kept large buildings and various houses barricaded. The bullet whizzed by me/ Gilda’s head way too close for comfort. I nose dived right for the ground, taking shelter behind one of the empty buildings.
“Friendly! I’m friendly!” I called out, grabbing a white cloth and a stick, tying it up quickly and waving it around out of cover without my arm to show mercy.
A well shot bullet broke my flag in half as I spotted well armed people beginning to circle around me. Most of them were using handguns but a few had big guns… really big guns…
I stood still as they circled me, fifteen handguns and seven massive rifles and automatics were pointed at me point blank.
“I said I was friendly, come on guys…” I whined.
One of the ‘troopers’ walked up to me. They looked me, er rather Gilda’s body over for a while. “First a dragon, now some OC griffon furry? As if the last ten years haven’t been weird enough as is…” She groaned.
“Not an OC, they’re just borrowing some armor I can use.” I corrected.
“Zip it!” They yelled. “Cuff them. Doc is gonna wanna look this one over.” She stated as they pulled out… rather odd cuffs. They were… engraved with symbols.
Once they were on I felt… drained… anti magic cuffs? How did they get or make these?
“So the very first thing you people do is-”
I was silenced by a gun bash to the head. Oh Gilda… sorry…
I woke up feeling dizzy. Shit… At least I didn’t disconnect from Gilda when they did that.
Looking around I spotted… a rather well furnished cargo crate. There was a bed, some books, a box of canned food and a small propane hotplate and even a TV with a small dvd player hooked up to it and some movies. The cuffs were gone but this crate was covered in those same symbols.
“Well this is fine and fucking dandy. Literally do nothing and the very first thing people do is assault and kidnap Gilda? Now I’m going to be experimented on cause why not…” I grumbled. “Also, armor made by ancient dwarves from Asgard, helmet can’t even handle a wimpy smack to the back of my head…”
I sighed, looking through the canned goods. Huh. Spam, heh, haven’t had that in forever.
I popped the can open and looked through the movies they provided. Let’s see… No, no, no… Pirates of the Caribbean. Well, it is one of Johnny Depp's best works so why not.
“At least they decided to treat me like a person here...also fuck those guys for thinking Gilda’s a shitty OC, they’re amazing damn it.”
I started the movie and began to eat the spam.
At the half hour mark of the movie the doors to this thing opened and in walked two gun wielding troopers and one lady in a lab coat.
“Greetings. The men tell me you can speak english. I am doctor Amanda Tethers, I apologize for the harsh treatment upon arrival. These days Australia is even more deadly than normal, and that’s saying something.”
“I mean, when someone calls out ‘Friendly’ and waves a white flag out in broad daylight people should know not to be assholes.” I frowned. “But it’s nice to meet you Amanda, my names Anna, and the griffon I’m currently inhabiting is named Gilda, my fiance and Prophet.”
“Hm, forgive me if I don’t take your word at face value, and to explain your prior complaint it would not have been the first time a wite flag was used to deceive us. Lost a lot of good people to raiders and the unique undead. Say nothing of the even more unique monsters calling this country home now.”
“Fine, fine.” I sighed out. “So, what do you want to know, Doctor?”
“Firstly, if you are from the same location as our… ‘dragon’ tenant claims then I just need to confirm some data before continuing.” She said, taking out a notepad and pen. “First question, where is this… portal, you entered located?”
“The portal doesn’t reopen until I complete it like a dungeon from some video games.” I explained. “Like defeating a certain boss monster or collecting pieces of an important artifact...at least, as far as I’ve noticed the other...four rifts I’ve had to close, two others were like this.”
“I mean on the other side, miss. We’ve already tried and found nothing so it’s safe to assume it is a one way portal. I need you to tell me where the entrance is on the other side.”
“The place is known as Equis, the specific region of the rift is known as the Dragon Lands.” I answered.
She nodded, writing something down. “And these Dragon Lands, describe them.”
“Well, it’s a volcanic wasteland surrounded by many volcano’s many miles away from the continent Equestria.” I said. “But it will change when I complete whatever this Rift has in store for me.”
She nodded again, writing more down. “Do the names; Garble, Princess Ember, Dragon Lord Torch, or Bahamut mean anything to you?”
“I helped save two of their lives...sadly the ruler of the Dragon’s fell in combat, but his soul lives on inside me, quite literally I might add, and Bahamut…” I sighed out. “Yes, yes I do...at least, the Final Fantasy X version.”
“Ha! Pay up.” One of the guards said with a grin to his fellow guard.
Doctor Amanda wrote down my answer and then looked me in the eyes. “Well, were this a normal anomaly case you’d be sent to work where you best fit, however given your knowledge of some earth culture, and the fact a local gator farmer was brought here and vouched for you as we were setting up your quarters, this just leaves one thing left to do.”
"I do my literal job and solve the problems you can't solve?" I asked.
“No. A lie detector test. It’s best to be cautious these days and frankly, while what information you did answer did correspond with our ‘dragon’ tenant the rest was rather… suspect.”
“I can literally do my job and answer all your questions.” I said honestly. “Do you want to be stuck here longer doing a bunch of other bullshit, or do you want your answers and also a way out of this Groundhog’s day loop apparently?”
“Look at it from our perspective. One day, earth is going to shit from some ancient star calendar, then, shortly after midnight we all find ourselves here. Shortly after arriving here the dead start standing back up. For three years it’s mass murders, suicides, and chaos as people just try and survive and these Undead’s numbers rise. Finally after some sense or order and such begins to settle, then the monsters show up and for two more years the chaos continues, and over eight million people are reduced to just over fifty thousand and now, a whole ten years later a dragon and a griffon show up out of the blue and one of them claims to be some self appointed hero. Pardon my lack of acceptance after ten years in hell.”
“Fine fine…” I sighed out, wanting to get into my own rant but stopping myself. “But I’ve also been through that 2012 crap and...been through my own personal hell which has...apparently been plaguing me for god knows how long…”
“Really? You were human?” The doc asked.
“I’m still...technically human.” I said honestly. “Considering I’m now a Goddess of Life, don’t ask, I made Gilda, my fiance, into my Prophet and can...take over their bodies...and I’m sorry for being a little defensive or ‘combative’ with our talks just...concerned about a lot of things, especially when I’m piloting the love of my life and not wanting him injured...as well as being pregnant myself…”
“Well that just raises more questions.” One of the guards said.
“I don’t buy that’s a dude…” The other one stated.
“Hmm… There is one way to see if she… They, are telling the truth.” Doctor Amanda spoke up. “Bring me Harut.”
One of the guards nodded and left.
“Uh...who?” I asked carefully. “Also, yes Gilda is a dude, sure they have a body a woman would be super envious about...but he’d put some bad dragon toys to shame.”
I waited for the doc and the guard in silence for a while until the other guard finally returned.
Who accompanied him was a man, appearing to be Arabic and in his late teens or early twenties. “That’s the one.” The guard said.
The man walked over and looked at me, Doctor Amanda giving him her seat as he looked at me. “Hm. You are not what I was expecting.” The man, Harut, I assume, said.
“You mean my Prophet or me specifically?” I asked. “Cause technically I became a Goddess of Life like...a month or two ago, and I figured this out I can control Gilda like...two weeks ago.”
"Even so, for a fledgling God to take upon such a role is simply… rare, to delve so willingly into mortal affairs."
“I was mortal myself, and my main goal was to save my family from their prisons...then I learned I’ve been a Goddess this whole time, stuck in a time loop due to some bastard parasite controlling my...other half.” I sighed out.
"Ah, that explains it. You ascended into godhood, and we're not born to it. A feat even fewer mortals ever accomplish while they still wear flesh."
“Well...technically that’s true.” I said. “At least...I think so, cause as far as I know I’ve done this song and dance like...a couple thousand or more times before.” I shook my head. “I don’t know how yet...why is because everything died and...being a Goddess of Life does bad things when everything you care about suddenly dies due to outside bullshit.”
"Hm. It is different for you than it is for my father."
“Your father?” I inquired, tilting my head in confusion.
"I suppose Showing would be better than telling." He stated with a shrug. As he did shrug though, two massive wings that seemed to be made from pure… magic, emerged from his back. "As you know, my name is Harut. The God you speak of is my father, the maker of your species. Humans have often referred to my siblings and I as Angels."
I blinked. “Uh...huh…” I started. “Oh so that’s why there’s these anti magic runes...that would also explain a lot of things...but that seems a little...confusing now that I think about it cause I’m marrying Thor and soon to be other Deities sooner or later if Odin didn’t already send out a ‘hey, Thor’s marrying a Goddess of Life, who wants to join in?’...god my life is weird.”
Harut chuckled. "Much like there are many earths in the multiverse, so too are there many gods and divine beings among them. The ones you speak of and the ones from this earth were not all the same gods you know."
“Seems a little weird cause at least the ones on Asgard said that Earth was getting a little dull when all the magic started to disappear…” I started. “But eh...just another thing I’m going to have to learn...though I wasn’t expecting to see an Angel today, so that’s a refresher.”
"Well, we try not to stand out. Half of us were on earth at all times while the others remained in the after plains to keep track of the dead and to be born or reborn. I myself have been on earth since the bronze age."
“Neat.” I nodded. “Good to know about that, I suppose I was one of the lucky ones to be handpicked by God himself.”
"Yeah. Lucky you…" One of the guards growled.
"You can leave us be." Harut stated as the Doc and both guards left. "Forgive them, everyone here has lost someone and after learning about those that were picked and saved by God has soured their moods further."
“That’s fair…” I sighed out. “So...what now if I may ask? Cause I’m still here to solve people’s problems here.”
“It will not be as easy as you hope, that much I can assure you of. You will have to earn their trust before they will ask for your help.”
"Goodie, fetch quests…" I grumbled.
“Why are you so discouraged?”
"A lot of things…" I sighed out. "I'm pregnant so I can't fight for myself, I'm scared for Gilda's safety...I can't actually be a mother…" I trailed off, slumping Gilda's shoulders sadly.
“Truth be told, most gods make terrible parents. It is largely something few mortals can even achieve. But, some surpass the odds and some do not. As they say, where there is a will, there is a way.”
"Not for me, cause I either birth a planet full of infants or full grown adults...no middle ground…" I said. "No motherhood for me…"
“There might be.” Harut said. “But we’d have to escape this place first.”
"I would have started, but I got assaulted and kidnapped." I frowned. "But...what do I need to do first?"
"First, you will need to prove what you say is valid. I can arrange a small mission for you to undertake and prove yourself, and from there we work towards liberation from this accursed place."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “What do you have in mind for a first mission?”
"I will have to speak to the commanders first before anything gets decided. Until then you will have to wait here."
“Goodie…” I rolled my eyes. “More waiting and more chances for monsters and bad guys to get what they want…”
"Don't be so discouraged. To be fair, it could have been much, much worse upon your arrival."
“I know, Sombra could be here right now…” I sighed out. “Or I could have actually gotten shot.”
"And unlike me, I doubt your Gilda's body could handle a large caliber bullet well."
“I don’t think I can handle a large caliber bullet...even if I’m a goddess, I still don’t know...much of my powers.” I sighed out.
And so I stayed in my little room watching movies and eating what was given. Not gonna lie, was kinda nice.
Around lunch the next day when Harut returned. "Good evening Anna."
“Good evening Harut.” I nodded.
"The commanders have granted me and therefore you permission to conduct a trial run of your abilities. Once they see them for themselves they will be more than happy to deploy you elsewhere."
“Well, technically I’m at a bit of a handicap cause I can’t use many of my abilities while in Gilda’s body, but I can still absorb Pyreflies and make the Unsent stay dead.”
"I'm sure if you need weapons the troopers can spare some."
“Either that or I still use my Lunar and Solar weapons.” I said honestly.
"Choice is yours. Make it on the way there." Harut stated as he lead me outside my room. Turns out I was aboard a large ship. Well off the coast north of Australia. Seems very few of these unsent or fiends can swim. Some can fly, hence the near gunshot in the sky upon my arrival.
One helicopter ride later we arrived near the city of Darwin. "This coastal city was being used as a military checkpoint during the 2012 attacks and holds lots of resources both government grade and civilian grade. The downside is that the whole city is home to these Unsent and various monsters."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Anything weird among the Unsent and monsters I need to know before I go in?”
"These files hold every unique or odd creature." One of the accompanying troopers handed me several file folders.
The first one held several images of standard Unsent and some friends.
The next held several of those abomination Unsent.
The third held something new. This appeared to be a mix of mechanical parts and Unsent limbs and Pyreflies.
The fourth and final one seemed to detail those Fiend-Unsent hybrids. Mostly Mixes of Dingo's, Evil Eyes and to my Surprise, Unsent Kangaroos. Or maybe they're Fiend Kangaroos? Either way, enemy kangaroos.
“Well...so far the only problem is those Abomination Unsent…” I started carefully. “But this is going to be a pain either way…”
"The commanders want to test your claims of being able to absorb these Pyreflies and permanently put down the undead and monsters. You and I shall go in, armed, and we will be wearing body cameras that will transmit the video to them for their observation and study."
“Alright.” I nodded. “Where are we starting in this place?”
"We start with picking off stragglers from the city. Display your abilities through the video feed to the commanders and from there we simply continue forward until it is empty." Harut said as he began collecting various weapons from a trunk.
"Fair enough." I nodded, donning my solar armor and bringing out my solar war axe.
Once Harut was fully armed with various guns and ammo mags and two machetes we began walking towards the city, body cameras already on as we soon approached a small group of five Unsent.
I spun my war axe quickly, the blade starting to heat him. "I'd stand behind me if I were you."
"If you wish." Harut said as he took a step back from my right.
"Thank you." I nodded as I swung my axe, a massive blade of heat being sent out and cleaving through the unsent like a knife through butter as I rushed in to collect their Pyreflies.
With that done I happily wandered around, slaying more unsent as we arrived closer and closer to the city limits. The Unsent and their variety were growing more and more the closer we got. Unsurprisingly.
When the numbers got massive Harut helped and… wow. While he was just using guns, not a bullet was wasted nore shot missed. Using his wings to gain a bird's eye view helped to keep me covered. Not gonna lie, kinda odd to see an angel using guns.
"How many unsent arre here?" I asked Harut, cleaving through another Unsent.
"Too many." He replied as he flew around at speeds that almost looked like teleportation. With a fifty round mag, fifty unsent lost their heads as their Pyreflies flowed to me. "You mentioned in the Interview about needing something to beat or absorb to release this place from it's rift. Anything specific?"
"Well it's either a Boss monster or something hyper specific, or I have to absorb a Fayth, and all this is based on a massive guess since I only did this three times...and only ones with the Fayth." I explained.
"And what exactly is a Fayth?"
"It's….really complicated, but it boils down to a person, animal, or plant turning into a special stone statue that creates a powerful spirit being." I explained. "Like...if you did a special ritual to the statue of Buff Jesus and you'd literally get him to appear and help you fight things."
"While blastphamous your analogy does bring up a few possibilities." Harut said as we cleared out the area.
"Although it would need to be someone literally putting their soul into it...so it would need to be more 'the original cross' kind of thing." I said carefully.
"Considering that is currently in four pieces on other continents, not likely to happen soon." Harut said as he landed next to me.
“Really?” I asked, surprised that’s a thing. “I mean...better than it being jesus’s corpse parts being strewn across america in the 1890’s.” I shrugged.
"Oh no, after his resurrection he traveled and lived a full life."
"That's good." I nodded. "But this begs the question...why are there so many unsent in one place?"
"My guess. Whatever is making them resides deep within the city, and well hidden."
"That's strange…" I said, wondering what was causing them to be that deep. "Wonder if they're protecting something or...if it's hiding the boss?"
"Either way, it will not be easy to take on the entire city."
"That's true…" I said, thinking about how to make this easier for everyone.
"I will radio in with the troops. Hopefully the display we've put on will convince the commanders to send in reinforcements."
"Hopefully…" I sighed out. "This is becoming a bigger headache than it already is...and I still need to tell them about Equis and the like...sure some of them would have a stroke with all the nonsense that goes on there."
"Why do you think we did nothing during your worlds Anti Magic Crusade?"
"Cause every other god fucked off so why bother dealing with crazy people?" I asked.
"No, because the humans that learned magic often took it too far and those who didn't know how to use magic revolted against those that did."
"So just not wanting to deal with crazy people?" I asked.
"I suppose."
While Harut called into the militia, I took a rest and tried to talk to Gilda again. They've been completely quiet this whole time...
”Gilda? Can you hear me?” I mentally called out, hoping he was okay.
Nothing. Still nothing… I sighed, hugging myself/Gilda's body. Barely been a day in their body and I'm already used to their sense of touch and figure. It's weird.
“Damn it…” I sighed out...but then got an idea. “Hmm…” I started, grabbing a bit of metal and some dirt and trying to do what I did back in Zanarkand, trying to make a small figurine of Gilda talk to. “Please let this work…”
I tried to force out my powers, even just a little bit, but all I ended up making was a pile of dirt and scrap metal in a vaguely person shape. Come on, isn't the whole point of a Prophet is to give them the ability to use their gods power and words through them?
“It was so easy with that Falcon earlier...what’s wrong now?” I frowned. “Even summoning Jecht was fine with Gilda’s body…”
"Good news, they're sending in a ten man troop, and an armored buggy with lots of heavy weapons and ammunition."
“That’s good.” I nodded. “So uh...Harut, mind if I ask a question?” I asked. “Prophet’s are supposed to be able to use their God’s abilities if their being ‘possessed’ right?”
"Normally, but this place… it lacks any form of ley line or mana source. It's why even though I can still summon my wings and fly I am unable to use magic. Hence all the guns. My guess is that the reason you can't use your powers here is that this place blocks Gilda's link to your body, therefore your link to your powers."
“Alright...so mind if I ask why I couldn’t communicate with Gilda even when I had a link with him?” I asked worriedly.
"When a god possesses the body of a Prophet, the mortal flesh is unable to house their soul and yours. So, their soul is temporarily placed into the other plain. Or Afterlife as it's often called. Upon being sent back to your own body, the Prophet will return to theirs."
“Oh…” I started. “Well...that makes sense...I’m still concerned by it though...I miss him…”
"Once we escape this place, you and he shall reunite."
“Alright.” I nodded. “This is gonna be a pain in the ass, especially when there’s Abominations here...tanky bastards.”
"Grenade Launchers and RPGs should help plenty." Harut said. "One thing I always give you humans is your ability to invent new ways of combat. If you had kept magic you'd have been star bound before the 2000's."
“Which seems really weird cause that’s when people really wished magic existed…” I started. “But that’s sadly neither here nor there…”
"At least your enchanted armors and weapons are still with you." He said, tapping my axe. "Dwarven built, and their power comes from the weapons, not you."
“Which is good, cause it would suck hardcore if these didn’t work while I was here.” I mentioned.
"Very little can put handicaps on Dwarven construction. Majority of heavens armory was built by our own Dwarven Angel hybrid."
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “No matter what fantasy world you're in, Dwarves are already great blacksmiths.”
"Not just blacksmiths. Chemists, alchemists, mathematician and scientists. They are a lot like humans, capable of many great advancements. The major difference aside from size is that they accepted, embraced and studied magic and combined the two."
“Luckies.” I chuckled. “Well, at least someone decided to do magi-tech and the like.” I shrugged. “So, how soon will our reinforcements get here?”
"They'll be here in a few hours." Harut said, taking a seat on the ground. "Til then we best wait."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “So, anything you want to know about me or the outside world?”
"No." He said, pulling out a phone and starting up a movie.
“Really now? Nothing at all?” I inquired, surprised to hear him say no that fast.
"Nothing." He agreed.
“Alrighty then.” I nodded, thinking what questions I might have for the angel.
I sat next to him and tried to think of something.
“Was the whole...2012 thing planned?” I inquired.
"Yes and no. It was actually more ment to symbolize a changing in the mindset of humanity on a spiritual and intilectual level, but then we saw the older generations thinking the worst and preparing so God said 'fuck it lets pull the good people out' and we were to fix up what came after."
“And somehow it was God picking specific people to go off and be heroes with super powers and...at least for me, Earth being in rifts somehow?” I guessed.
"He didn't just make one earth, there was a mass of multiverse. Sadly like this earth, yours, things happened differently."
“Still trying to wrap my head around the whole...multiverse thing to be honest.” I said sheepishly.
"I suppose it would be upon first contact with it."
“Yeah...also what’s weird is that when I heard Gilda talk about an old friend of mine, I could have sworn I heard them real quick...anything weird happen like that before?”
"Like what exactly? Who was this friend?"
“Friend’s name was Ben, Gilda said it was a weird name and I think I heard him say ‘Rude’, but I shrugged it off cause I didn’t know if it was someone else saying it or not.”
"Hm. Can't say. Gods powers often work in ways not even they can fully understand at times."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Just don’t question it and things will sort themselves out sooner or later.”
"Most often they do, yes."
“Well, as long as it’ll be sorted out then I shouldn’t be annoyed by it for the rest of time.” I said honestly.
"That would be best."
I sighed. For an angel he's kinda one dimensional. Hm. Welp, if there was ever a chance to see how much of religion was true, this is it.
“Alright, so I have to ask, what parts of either the Bible or the Divine Comedy are true?” I asked. “Cause these are important questions.”
"Anything specific?"
“Hmm…” I thought back to all the religious stories I read about. “Let’s start simple with Noah and his Ark...did that legitimately happen?”
"Yes but he wasn't the only one, he just built the biggest and carried the most animals."
“Right then.” I nodded. “David and Goliath? Was that some divine stuff or was it just some normal sized person at the time fighting someone that was above average height wise?”
"Goliath was half giant and David didn't use a sling and rock he used a bow an arrow coated with poison. At some point the translation of the story was mistranslated."
“Poison sounds worse than a rock and literally asking God to force it to hit for some reason.” I started.
"Goliath was a cannibal and David prayed for the poison to kill him as vengeance for his brother that Goliath ate a year prior."
“Huh…” I started. “Goliath sounds...a lot better in the mistranslated version as some strong and very talented general wanting to one v one God than just a raging cannibal…”
"Yeah, that's usually how that works. You'd get sick if I told you what actually happened after Joseph reunited with his brothers."
“I’d rather not know thank you.” I said carefully. “Alright...so Jacob’s Ladder and how he manhandled an angel in a wrestling match?”
"He and one of my siblings got drunk in the same pub."
“Really?” I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “First off, didn’t know Angels could get drunk, and two, how the hell did Jacob traveling around and finding an angel by happenstance turn into a drunken fight?”
"They got into an argument over what made a better whiskey. Jacob said Apples, my brother said Barley."
“So where did the titular ‘Jacob's Ladder’ come from?” I asked. “Cause unless they literally used it to do weird wrestling moves, what was that for?”
"My brother tried to fly on the roof to catch their breath and Jacob climbed a nearby ladder then choke held my brother before basically suplexing them down said ladder."
I howled with laughter at the mental image played out in my mind. “I’m...I’m so sorry for laughing...but wow.” I said, trying to stifle my laughter so I wasn’t rude.
"Don't be. We still laugh about it with Hazel when we see him. That also technically was the first time a Suplex was performed but both Jacob, Hazel and everyone else at that pub was so wasted nobody remembered much aside from Jacob wrestled an angel."
“I mean, out of everything that happened, the one thing that needed to be remembered was Jacob wrestled an Angel.” I chuckled. “Okay, so next up is...how about Lot and trying to whore out his daughters to protect angels...and then the drunken incest happening?”
“That city was riddled with demons. Succubi and back then Incest was actually both more common and less genetically harmful than it is to you modern humans.”
“Well...I suppose that also explains why they might have thought the world was ending if what few locations they knew about were riddled with Demons.” I said honestly. “Also...seriously? How does that work?”
“Simple. Back then the human population was barely a few thousand globally, so for a good while we… modified your genetics to act a bit more like rabbits, only better. It wasn’t until there were finally a few million of you all did we change that and even then it took a few generations for that to kick in.”
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Alright...now onto the Divine Comedy...how true is that?”
“Well, in this reality it was a fifty-fifty but in other’s it’s either completely accurate or not at all.”
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Alright...might as well ask about Jesus and that whole...escapade in Ancient Rome.”
“You mean his crucifixion?”
“Well...yeah, or the entire story behind how that whole thing happened.” I said honestly. “And his subsequent resurrection.”
“That was actually largely accurate. Minus a few events and some facts. As for his resurrection, while it is accurate, the fact is he didn’t resurrect after three days. It was more like… an hour after they closed the door. The guards that were put to watch the cave he was placed in were actually on his side and after night fell they let him out and for the next two days he walked and lived out the rest of his life amongst the people far to the north.”
“That’s good.” I nodded. “Glad he enjoyed the rest of his life after the bad shit that happened to him.”
“Yes. He lived to be almost a hundred and fifty, and had many, many children. Some of his family even moved up there with him. They call that country Ireland now.”
“That’s sadly ironic that Irish Mythology was then ruined by the religion he kind helped propogate to an insane degree.” I said carefully.
Harut shrugged. “Religion was never about which is right or wrong, it was about bringing like-minded people together. In the end the majority of religions and the gods they are tied to mean little in the physical plains. It’s the spiritual plains, or the After Life, where it matters in the end.”
“And when one religion keeps trying to stamp out the others is also a massive negative.” I frowned. “But mind if I ask what you mean by that? It matters in the After Life?”
“Heaven, Hell, Valhalla, The Underworld, ect. They all exist. Every single one.”
“Well I knew Valhalla exists, I literally went to Asgard a month or so ago.” I brought up.
“Asgard and Valhalla are actually two different places.”
“Really?” I asked. “It’s not just like...one massive building off to the side of the main castle or something?”
“No. They are each basically their own worlds where the souls of those that belong to that religion or faith have their souls go after death. Valhalla, while it does have that massive hall for rest and feast, there is actually largely wilderness and beasts to slay for glory and fun. The residents can all also make a new hall and it will link to each hall they build.”
“So there isn’t a ‘Ragnarok’ that’ll break that afterlife or something?” I asked nervously.
“Ugh. You humans mistranslated that one badly. Ragnarok, Armageddon they don't mean the end of the world, they mean ‘the end of our time’ meaning the end of a life. It was a phrase meant to describe a mass death event. Not the end or extinction of your species or planet.”
“Well, as far as I remember the only version of the ‘End of the World’ was Ragnarok...but that weirdly had a lot of Christianity coming out of nowhere at the end of it…” I brought up. “Probably just some mistranslated stuff again right?”
“It was. It doesn’t help that the majority of those who were translating those texts were either biast, racist, drunk or didn’t know how to properly translate the words so they made up meanings for most words.”
“Fair.” I nodded. “Lots of cool things get lost by bad people thinking they're right.” I sighed out.
“Anything else?”
“Have you met any other Gods or stuff of the like?” I inquired.
“Often, yes. We helped deliver messages and packages between one another and would mess with each other’s territories and their believers often. You can actually blame Zeus for the whole ‘Tabboo Sex’ thing in Christain and Chatholic texts.”
“When half of Greek mythology can be summed up with ‘Zeus couldn’t keep it in his pants’, I can see why.” I chuckled.
“It’s actually worse than you think. See, Father, God, was visiting Olympus and he and Zeus got to drinking and talking, as Gods often do. So, during their talks Zeus said he loved that the humans were such horndogs, as evidenced by his many halfling children. God said they can learn to keep themselves in check if they wanted to. A short argument later and Zeus bet that even if God had them put in that sex before marraige was tabboo, as well as sex with the same gender and sex with multiple people, you get it, were banned majority would ignore or remove it. Long story short, while father won the bet it backfired hard on them.”
“God damn it…” I groaned. “But...I’m not surprised…”
“Yes, even though back then it was rare, same sex relationships were not actually sinful in any religion. Neither was sex so long as it was with another within an appropriate age range and consentual. I mean, it would be stupid to purposfully call sex sinful when it is how you people procreate. Even without that part in the case of same sex couples, it’s rather idiotic to imagine gods caring so much about what how you enjoy your genitals.”
“It’s rather idiotic that people think they would care about thing’s that don’t involve you just being a decent person.” I shrugged.
"More or less. Another common misconception is that gods are omnipresent. That's not something gods are or can do."
"I imagine it's a massive pain to be everywhere at once." I said honestly.
"Yes. That much sensory input is impossible to take in."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “So don’t go looking for omnipresence.”
"Yes. The one god that did still has not returned to their physical form. They're body is essentially brain dead."
“I was going to say ‘Schrodinger's Cat’ but...that doesn’t sound correct with what you said.” I said carefully.
"No that is actually a different thing and level of existence that is possible but rare in those who do exist at that."
“Huh...that’s kind of strange since that’s the closest thing to Omnipresence that I can think of and it’s both different and easier to get?” I said.
"I never said it was easier. The way to get that stage of existence is to create a paradox in which you are simultaneously alive but also dead, cease your existence through both time and space yet also save it all at once."
“Well...I suppose it would be very difficult to become Michal McDoesn’t Exist.” I shrugged.
Eventually the back up arrived and once they were here we all got to attacking. Right now we were working on taking out the mass hordes with heavy artillery while I flew above to absorb the Pyreflies.
It felt like they just kept coming. Even with high caliber, high explosive ordnance blowing them to chunks and ripping even the mutant abominations got blown to oblivion.
Eventually the large hordes began to shrink to large packs that I was easily cleaving through with my axe.
“It feels amazing to have all this backup.” I chuckled, cleaving straight through more Unsent and moving closer to whatever they were surrounding.
As I moved through the city in the air taking out the remaining groups. I spotted one building that was collapsed, or rather, split down the middle and half standing. In the center of it’s cracked and broken foundation I spotted the familiar form of a broken Fayth. As well as the Unsent flowing out from it, I spotted a single figure standing taller than the crowd.
They looked like some kind of clockwork automaton. They were vaguely human in shape and it looked like Pyreflies were the things moving it’s various limbs and gears.
“Alright, so looks like I’ve gotta collect Fayth fragments again…” I muttered, readying myself to deal with this sudden monster to take back the Fayth.
As I flew in towards the automaton, the Unsent around it suddenly began moving out and away from us, forming a near perfect circle easily big enough for me and the machine to brawl in. It made me uneasy.
"Boss fight?" I asked carefully, readying myself for whatever this clockwork monster had in store for me.
It's gears seemed to rotate and shift, raising it's right arm which seemed to grow Pyreflies along it until they formed a sharp, thin blade that it pointed at me as the other arm formed a large, heavy great shield.
"That's...honestly really cool." I commented. "God I wish Gilda could see this…" I muttered.
Carefully I raised my axe in challenge as it did the same.
For a while we both stood there like that, as if daring one another to make the first move. It pulled it's sword arm back, then charged. Despite its size, the weight that shield must weigh and it's own blizzard construction, the thing ran with surprising speed.
I flew up, dodging a shield bash and barely evading an upwards swipe. Using the air to my advantage I dived down, axe ready as I hit it's neck area. Cracking the frame and breaking fragile gear work as I set fire to my weapon, watching as it's body started to melt and soon it's Pyreflies flowed into me. Huh. That was… kinda easy actually.
New Summon Acquired.
Machina Fayth Beta 1: The Gear-work Knight.
Warning!: Abnormal Summon Detected. Pyreflies constructed primarily from Artificial Memories.
Recommendation: Do Not Summon Within Current Host!
“Like I was going to do that to begin with…” I grumbled. “But neat...also artificial memories? That’s not good...also this…” I started, looking around at all the other Unsent still here. “Oh no…”
As I looked around, I was surprised to see none of the Unsent we're moving towards me.
“Uh...hello?” I asked carefully. “Why aren’t you doing anything?”
None seemed to move or respond. Rather they just all stood there, motionless. Creeped out and cautious I began moving towards the broken Fayth.
I placed a hand to it and felt the Pyreflies flow into me rapidly until that was all gone and the stone that made up it's form fell and shattered.
Fayth Fragment Acquired: Valfor 1/7
"Surprised it’s Valfor and not Bahamut…” I muttered. “Alright...so do any of you know where the next Fayth Fragment is?” I asked.
The Unsent remained motionless. As if something was turned off, or their strings were cut.
Looking around I suddenly felt the faint, but noticeable pulse of something different. Turning back to the hole the rubble of that Fayth rested, I could feel… magic?
It was different than what I am used to. It felt old, wild and untamed yet wise and caring.
"Hello?" I asked carefully, moving closer to the magic sink hole. "Anybody down there?"
Looking down I saw nothing, but I felt something down there. Nothing melevilant, nor kind. More… unpredictable.
"Are you alright Anna?" I turned to see Harut fly and land next to me.
"There's something down there, something that feels...wild and unpredictable…." I said, pointing into the whole.
Harut looked down the hole, nodding. "It is a mana well. One flowing with long dormant Wild Magic."
“Well then.” I started. “Didn’t think we’d find something like that here...I suppose that’s what’s affecting all the Unsent like this.”
"Yes. Wild Magic is far more unpredictable than most other magics and its effects on the environment and those who use it are equally unpredictable. While not harmful per say, casting wild magic is often compared to co-existing with a feral beast. Caution and respect must be enforced otherwise it will turn on you with no mercy."
“So that’s why Australia is...well Australia.” I chuckled.
"Perhaps. Wild Magic was once a dominant form of magic on your planet. But it went dormant after the dinosaurs went extinct."
“Boo.” I frowned. “Well...feels like there should be six more Mana Vents with the pieces of Valefor being the thing’s plugging them up and special Fayth’s protecting them.”
"Perhaps. Hmmm." Harut hummed, holding out a hand as a small, upward stream of purple, orange, green and red mana began flowing up to it. "Well, this is interesting…"
“What is it?” I inquired. “What’s with the neat light show?”
"It's what Wild Magic looks like, but that not of importance. What is important is that this Wild Magic is… younger, than it should be."
Young? This shit feels ancient from what I'm sensing!
“This feels mightily ancient for being ‘younger’.” I said carefully.
"If it was older, or ancient, then it would be less accepting of forming a bond so quickly." Harut explained.
“That’s strange…” I hummed, gently bringing my hand out towards the mana vent.
The same stream of purple, orange, green and red mana began flowing towards me. When it touched my, or rather, Gilda’s palms I felt as if I was letting an animal sniff me. Taking in my scent to get a feel for me. It seemed… uncertain. I felt that much. Maybe it was because of me borrowing Gilda’s body or because of what I am or what Gilda is.
“I’m a friend.” I said softly. “I...know I’m sharing a body...but we’re friends.”
It didn’t seem to care. In fact it seemed to be rather uncertain of me. As if knowing I’m not dangerous but still not trusting me.
I looked over at Harut, who has the Wild Magic wrapped along their arm up to their elbow already. Shortly after it reached his shoulder it merged into his arm, bonding to him.
“I suppose it’s either uncertain about me possessing Gilda...or what I really am.” I said carefully.
“Most likely the latter.” Harut said. “Wild Magic has rarely ever bonded to a God. Even nature and beast Gods rarely bond with it.”
“Fair.” I shrugged. “Don’t expect everything to like me on the first go.”
I pulled my/Gilda’s arm back as Harut tested their new magic. Casting forth strong winds and even making a small earthquake with a snap of his fingers. “It feels good to have magic back.” He said with a smile.
“Having magic back will definitely help us with the next fights.” I said honestly.
“Speaking of, why are all these undead standing motionless?” He asked.
“No idea.” I shook my head. “Maybe the wild magic is stopping them for some reason?”
“Doubtful.” Harut said, walking over and poking one of them and getting no response. “You are a Goddess of Life, yes? Maybe with their stone maker gone they acknowledge you?”
“They didn’t do anything…” I frowned. “Where’s the next Fayth Fragment?” I asked.
All at once, in the creepiest way possible, all the Unsent around me turned and pointed off in a direction.
“... Well, that answers your question.” Harut said with a shiver.
“Ri~ght…” I said carefully. “Uh...lead the way?” I asked all the Unsent, finding this incredibly creepy.
Slowly they began walking, in perfect sync, towards where they were pointing at.
"That's...creepy…" I said nervously, following along carefully.
The Unsent marched to the next major city area. Here they seemed to stop a mile before we reached this city's limits and refused to move further. Flying up and above within the place, the Unsent within this city still tried to attack me… So these broken Fayth things are what make them hostile?
“That’s really weird…” I muttered. “Well, want me to deal with all the Unsent here before we continue or just keep going?” I asked Harut.
“If these Fayth constructs are what make the undead violent and hostile, we should see if we can bypass their numbers by flying right at it. They stopped and waited for you to fight that machine and then waited still for you to absorb the energy from that thing. If we can bypass the excessive battles, then we can hopefully be out of here sooner rather than later.”
“Works for me.” I nodded. “Let’s get to flying.”
Harut and I flew around til we found the next Fayth structure, built inside a school library. There was another strange Machina knight there, but this one was different. It’s head wore a metal, spring top hat, body dressed in metallic fabrics fashioned after robes and in its hand was a thick metal book with cogs and gears making up the covers and spine.
“Mage this time huh?” I hummed, moving over carefully to the mech.
Like the last one, It came to life after the Unsent around it formed a large ring for us to fight in. It opened up it’s metal book and flowing from it was the wild magic like the other well, but it was different. Dark, thick and heavy looking ethereal chains flowed within the magic that flowed from it’s book.
“That is not good…” Harut said.
“Uh...the fuck is it doing?” I asked carefully. “That feels like Wild Magic...but not...I don’t like that.”
“When wild magic is forced and caged, it becomes very volatile. Imagine keeping a wild animal in a cage. The chains force it to move, but it will retaliate with deadly effects of the spells it’s forced into casting.”
“Well...can I melt the chains or do I have to go straight to murdering the spell caster?” I asked carefully.
“We have to destroy that tomb.” Harut stated.
“Fair enough.” I said, swinging my axe as a bladed beam of plasma shout out towards it.
The caster machina raised it’s book up, the imprisoned Wild Magic flowing out and forming some kind of barrier. The plasma was reflected back at us, but as it did the area around us suddenly became super heated as the ground under the beam turned white hot.
Harut and I dodged, the Plasma slamming into the wall of Unsent ‘watchers’ and incinerating them on contact into ashes.
“Well that’s not good…” I said carefully. “How are you with heat about as strong as the core of a sun?” I asked Harut.
“Had I my full powers, I’d manage. As is, I'm just a few tiers above a normal human.” Harut frowned. “I have an idea but I won’t like it. Think you can keep that thing occupied?”
“Yes I can.” I nodded, lifting my axe up and trying to control the super heated area to try and burn the mech.
As I kept the thing occupied, I glanced a peak back to Harut. He ran over to one of the Unsent.
I was confused as he grabbed it by the arm.
My eyes widened as I watched him jab his free arm into the Unsent’s chest, pulling out a handful of Pyreflies. He looked at them for a bit before sighing, and my jaw dropped as he ate, and swallowed them.
It was instantaneous. His body suddenly gained four extra arms, his wings went from looking like magic to being physical, but glowing blue and silver feathered wings, and then he grew seven more pairs along his back, head and legs. His head grew five new eyes and his size now towered eleven feet. He rapidly spun around, his new form felt different, radiating magic as he snapped his right side’s fingers.
The ground under the machina automaton split open, a maw of stone and lava instantly rose up and bit and chewed its body before finally delivering a hard chomp to the tomb. It shattered into scrap metal and slag as their bits melted and all the Pyreflies flowed into me.
New Summon Acquired.
Machina Fayth Beta 2: The Clockwork Mage
Warning!: Abnormal Summon Detected. Pyreflies constructed primarily from Artificial Memories.
Recommendation: Do Not Summon Within Current Host!
“Uh…” I started. “How did you eat Pyreflies and...you’re the second full breed angel I’ve seen right now.”
They shook their head, seating themselves and looking their new form over. “The… Angels, that you know that resemble this… form, naturally, were not made by my father. They were made by another God. Father made us to resemble Man and Woman, to fit in for when, or if, you all were to begin exploration of more than just your single dimension. To help you settle, and to teach you when needed. For my breed, this form is… punishment.”
“What punishment would need that?” I asked. “Cause uh...a certain someone inside me wasn’t punished like that, and he’s literally married to a demon lord.”
“Tel me, Anna… What are Pyreflies?”
“Uh...it’s weird in Spira, cause technically their the soul’s of people but it might also be just memories in a weird ethereal body…” I said, still not having much of a solid ‘it’s one or the other’. “But I’m pretty sure it’s a Soul.”
“And what did I just do?”
“I’m sure Angel’s shouldn’t be able to eat souls…” I said carefully.
“Souls are many things, and one is Energy. A whole human soul is on par to your earth's Sun. These Pyreflies are on par with fifteen of your America’s Nuclear Warheads. But, any being of magic can actually do this. It’s just forbidden and taboo in the laws of magic.”
“Only reason why it’s not for me is because...well either because I’m a Goddess of Life or because that’s how I’m supposed to get stronger.” I said honestly. “But the question is...why is an Angel doing that and not suddenly considered a Demon?”
“Some have… before… The story isn’t too far off, but… Heylel didn’t just charge head first at God and us without… preparing himself and his followers first.”
“Heylel...Heylel…” I said slowly, knowing I’ve heard that word...before…”You’re talking about Lucifer aren’t you?” I asked. “Cause...Heylel sounded very familiar, then I remembered a Hebrew friend of mine online that talked about stuff like that, wanting to help people understand the Hebrew language at least somewhat.”
“Lucifer was a name adapted to fit the moniker of ‘the devil’. But, yes. Heylel was ambitious, but short sighted. He saw Humanity as nothing more than animals wasting their intelligence father granted you all. When he arrived on earth to help guide you all, he instead, toyed with you all. Soon, he tricked and manipulated a man to kill his own brother. Heylel took the poor victim's soul, and learned that by devouring it, he could gain powers far surpassing his existing.”
"He made Cain kill Abel?" I asked in surprise.
“Made? No. Cain chose to kill Abel in the end, but Heylel did play a part in planting the seeds of mistrust, jealousy, and hatred into Cain’s heart.”
"Well that sucks." I frowned. "But...the more you know I suppose."
"Heylel's fall wounded us all, and became a living example of the corruption of power, and the damage of using souls for power can do. They say God deformed him, but he deformed himself. Each soul he ate changed him more and more until he was no longer remotely Angel."
“Huh...is that why he always looks like a weird goat monster?” I inquired.
“That was before he declared war on heaven. He looks… much, much different if you were to see him now.”
“I have a feeling I might sooner or later...all things considered two of the being’s inside me are maybe still hunted to this day…” I sighed out.
“Hm. This form will… take time, to get used to. At least, I can use it for some good.”
“Certainly shock the shit out of everyone when they see it.” I shrugged. “But eh, not the weirdest thing I’ve seen to be honest.”
“Pray they don’t. Should Heylel escape his prison it would not do well for anyone.”
“I’ve personally met worse.” I said carefully. “And they are both my teachers.”
“Don’t wish for trouble, it likes to answer.” Harut stated flatly with a sigh.
I absorbed the next Fayth structure and got my second fragment of Valefor.
The rest of the fragments and such went off without much issue. It was more of the same and each other Machina Pyrefly summon thing had their own gimmick.
The third one was a berserker. The fourth was a Sharp Shooter. Fifth was an assassin. Fighting him was not fun. Sixth was an archer. Seventh and last was a pyromancer. I had to swap to my Lunar Armor to fight that one.
“Should something be happening?” Harut asked as we looked up at the still very much Rift sky.
“Well...we obtained all Seven Fayth pieces…” I said, picking up the last piece from the Pyromancer. “So there’s probably something else…”
”Do you two read me?” Someone said over our coms.
”We read you Anna.” The Doc said.
“Yo, is there anything else we’re missing? Cause as far as I’ve personally experienced we finished two of the things that should have finished this...any other high concentrations of Unsent around?” I inquired.
”Negative. The only large populations left are following you now.”
“That’s strange…” I muttered. “Any weird statues or machines still around the city?”
”None that we have located. Maybe you need to get rid of all the undead?”
“Crap…” I sighed out. “Is there anything else we missed?” I asked the Unsent carefully. “Like any statues or puzzles or bosses?”
The Unsent all just were rather blank. I sighed for a while before noticing… they were all looking up.
I looked up- Oh fuck…
Floating above us was the Sombra fragment… only, he was melded into the head of what appeared to be a dragon THREE TIMES bigger than Torch was!
The dragon he was piloting/possessing seemed to radiate power. Veins of magma or even plasma covered his skin and focused into a central point in his chest.
“How is that creature possessing a God?!” Harut asked in surprise.
“Uh…” I started. “That’s not the Bahamut I know…” I started.
“What part of Multiverse and multiple God’s didn’t stick with you?” Harut asked before grabbing me and flying off.
The Sombra controlled dragon God let out a breath of pitch black plasma like fire that melted all of eighty miles. Incinerating all the Unsent and melting the landscape into white hot magma.
The Pyreflies floated all around until they were being pulled towards them.
“Oh no you don’t!” I shouted, slamming my Lance into the ground as all the Pyreflies halted quickly, my right as a Goddess of Life still working through Gilda as they were pulled towards me. “Alright...so when the fuck did Bahamut look like Deathwing from World of Warcraft?”
“I don’t get that reference. And again, MULTIVERSE OF GODS!” Harut yelled at me as he shot off magic beams towards the possessed dragon God.
“I know that, but I literally expected Bahamut from Spira cause it would have been painfully obvious what Yevon wanted.” I rolled my eyes, absorbing the Pyreflies as I spun my lance. “Sheer Cold!” I shouted, thrusting the lunar lance towards the dragon as a crystalized wind rushed towards the dragon, flash freezing the air and some of the magma around us.
The possessed God let out another roar as it met Ice with Plasma. The instant heat meeting the cold created an explosion as the ice rapidly melted and evaporated instantly. It then flew right from the sky towards us.
“Let’s hope I remember how she did it…” I muttered, spinning the tip of my lance in the air as an ice circle started to form, the steam around the Sombra dragon starting to cool down rapidly as I channeled the magic of my Lunar Armor. “Diamond Dust!” I shouted, thrusting my lance through the circle as thousands of crystals formed from the mist around the dragon and tried to impale into him.
The attack hit. Few of the ice shards stuck into the Dragon God’s scales as the rest broke or bounced off them. Harut got me out of the way as they almost crashed into us. Instead they now crashed into the ground beneath, sending up waves of magma, rock and dust high into the air.
“I have another idea, but it will also not be fun.” Harut said.
“Stab the obvious glowing bit as hard as we can?” I asked.
“Unless you want to incinerate your loves body, don’t do that.” Harut stated. “No, we need to imprison it. From there we can beat it.”
“These two armor’s are made by Dwarves for Gods of the Sun and Moon…” I started, not sure how the hell I’d still be incinerated. “Alright, what do you have in mind to imprison it?”
“Do you know how we imprisoned Heylel?”
“Considering all of Religion is a mistranslated mess, all I know is that God literally said ‘go fuck yourself’ and literally punted him straight to Hell.” I said honestly.
“More or less but it’s not hell he was trapped within. Father could not bring himself to kill Heylel. Despite the monster he became. He was still our brother, and his son.” Harut started, rapidly flying us away from a swipe from the Sombra possessed Dragon God’s attack. “Instead he broke him into pieces. Chunks of flesh turned stone that he then gave each of us to hold and protect. Each stone piece has a bit of the corrupt power Heylel fermented.”
“And how the hell are we going to do that?” I asked. “Cause I haven’t learned any sealing spells yet...wait, I think I know what you’re planning.”
“When this rift happened and imprisoned us all here, I stashed my piece of Heylel in the coral reefs along the coast.”
“No idea how it’ll work with Gilda, but I have personal experience devouring an Eldritch Being...so how hard would it be devouring a literal piece of Satan?”
“I’ll keep this thing occupied. You go find the fragment. It’s not hard to miss. Just sense for an unending rage and bloodlust for human life and that’s him.”
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “I’ll be back as fast as I can.” I said as I bolted off to the coast, hoping to find this thing before Sombra destroys the whole continent.
As I arrived at the coral reef I felt that rage and bloodlust. Woah… The pressure of it sent a shiver down my/Gilda’s spine. Shit.
“Well...somehow this is worse than literally having the Abyss stare back at me…” I said carefully, trying to find the specific piece around here.
I had to force myself to move towards it. Once I felt I was directly over it, I dived into the water. A short swim down and I spotted what appeared to be part of a stone hand. The last three fingers, ending with the pinkie and a quarter of the palm.
”Alright...just gotta remember my training with Sombra…” I thought to myself as I mentally prepared myself before grabbing onto the stone hand and trying to subjugate this bastards power for my own.
I felt like I was suddenly punched in the gut at the speed of sound. I struggled to keep grip on this bastards fragment as it was like trying to wrestle a gorilla bare handed. I could feel it’s fragment getting absorbed, burning like I was drinking acid as it cursed me in an unspoken tongue.
When it finally ended and the fragment was absorbed I swam to the surface. Taking a huge breath of air and swam to shore. Those hits I felt were indeed along Gilda’s body. Large bruises and some split skin from those disembodied impacts swelled and showed through Gilda’s normally sleek, slim and muscular form. Ouch...
“I’m so sorry Gilda…” I sighed out. “It’s going to suck when he gets his body back…” I muttered, lightly raising my sore body parts up and feeling the bastards power coursing through me...and damn was it huge.
New Summon Aquired!
Fallen Angel Heylel has been Imprisoned and Converted into a Fayth Summon.
Summon is Available. Fragments obtained: 1/364.
Each new obtained Fragment will increase Heylel’s strength as your summon.
New Form Obtained: Fallen Angel Heylel.
New Title Obtained: The Devil.
Warning! Fragmented Heylel has given you The Devil as a secondary Divine TItle. Due to their fragmentation, your title as The Devil will only allow you authority over Imp class demons.
New Divine Skill Grid, The Devil, Obtained and Installed.
“I can now do Cherub, Succubus, and now ‘The Devil’...neat.” I said honestly.
I stood up, feeling like I just ran a marathon, fought in an MMA tournament, and did a city long parkour run… then drank ten red bulls. I summoned up the Lunar Armor again and took to the sky, nearly hitting orbit as I did. Shit! Okay… how much power did that guy’s fragment have?!
Shaking my/Gilda’s head I rushed back over and made it just in time to help Harut dodge another breath of plasma from the Sombra-Bahamut.
“I see you managed to consume Heylel’s fragment.” Harut said as he looked a bit more beaten down was was still moving.
“Bastard was swearing up a storm but he’s mine now, and all his powers...which is a metric fuck ton for just two fingers, a pinkie and half his palm.”
“Father told us each fragment has the power of ten hypergiant stars.”
“Jesus christ…” I sighed out. “Alright, so now that I’m strong enough to bench press a planet apparently, let’s get on with this.” I said, stabbing my lance into the ground as ice formed into a powerful spell circle. “Let’s hope this works…” I muttered.
I looked up at the Possessed God, remembering the worlds Yevon spoke in their memories. ”From beginning to end, all Life fades, From dust we are born and to dust we return. Yet surpassing death, your soul shines brightly, Bless these souls here, with life ever onwards. With bodies ever eternal as the stones of the earth. Meld their minds as one, and keep their souls bound. Give them forms for freedom, to empower we mortal men. And let the immortals dream in heavens of their own making!”
The matrix made from ice under me lit up as suddenly chains of divine light rushed up and grabbed Bahumat’s body. It pulled them down. The Sombra fragment tried to move their puppet to no avail and then began trying to escape. Harut quickly shot a beam of Magic at the Sombra fragment, pinning it to it’s puppet as the Dragon God’s body shrank and morphed into a statue of stone. The Fayth was like many, stone as various generic dragons held up the flaming skull of a larger, identifiable head of Bahumat, the Dragon God.
The Fayth then burst into Pyreflies and flowed into me.
New Fayth Successfully Created! Bridge Fayth Obtained!
Dragon God Bahumat has successfully been converted into an Aeon Summon!
Bahamut, Dragon God absorbed! Bahamut Form Obtained!
Dragon God Title has been acquired and added to your Secondary Titles Portfolio. You now have authority over Dragons of all races, ages and species within the World Equestria! Secondly, Gold, Greed, Gemstones and Platinum are also under your control!
Zanarkand Facility Unlocked! Fayth Laboratory is now accessible!
Fragment of Sombra Acquired!
“Fantastic.” I said with a smile. “Alright, now should be the time where the Rift starts to fuse with Equis.”
As if on cue, the Rift began to morph and was shaking. “Before it does, Anna, may I ask a favor?” Harut asked.
“What up?” I inquired. “Also...I really hope people don’t immediately die from Dragon Lands being an active volcano land…” I muttered carefully.
“Between the toughness of the people and the WIld Magic, they should be fine. But… Will you absorb me as well?”
“You sure Harut?” I asked “It’s a rather...heavy question to ask.”
“The Pyreflies I absorbed should be returned to you, besides… I have not felt Father’s power for… quite some time. My siblings and I were created to guide and teach mortals, and serve our maker. But for years now, I have not felt Father’s power nor heard him when I call out. You are a good person, and a better God than most. To serve you would be an honor, and with luck it will revert me back to normal.”
“That’s...fair…” I nodded, gently putting a hand on Harut’s shoulder. “You’re a good man Harut...but uh, I hope you like company, cause you’re going to meet a whole lotta people.”
“I came from a family of six thousand before the war with Heylel. Company is lovely.” He said with a nod and a smile.
“Well, you’re going to have company of a few...maybe a few million.” I said sheepishly. “But I’m sure you’ll enjoy it all the same.” I nodded. “Now...is there a special way to do this with an Angel? Cause...well it was different with Changelings and Dragons…”
Harut placed a hand over their chest, slowly willing out a small feathered orb of light. He handed it to me as his body began to fall apart into sand. When the last of his physical body turned to sand and fell to the ground, I absorbed the orb, Harut’s soul, or equivalent.
Angel Breed: Cognoverse Obtained!
Harut, Angel of Sorcery Absorbed!
Cognoverse Angel Form Acquired!
Harut, Angel of Sorcery is now a Summon.
“Fantastic.” I muttered with a smile. “Alright people, prepare to head to the real world.” I said over the comms system.
The people of Australia were happy to be out of that rift. Turns out the melted areas of the country aligned well with some of the volcanos of the Dragon Lands.
I immediately flew to where I spotted Thor still standing over my body. “Tis good to see you and Gilda’s body well Anna.” Thor said as I placed a hand on my still sleeping body.
“Yep, a few bumps and bruises but thankfully we’re doing good.” I nodded while walking over to my body. “And there’s a whole lotta things I need to tell Gilda about...honestly first I need to hug him so bad…”
I managed to flow my mind back into my body. Once I sat up I quickly remembered the growing lump of countless babies I was carrying. Woah. Honestly missed and forgot all about this…
Gilda laid down for a while and right as I was about to worry they jumped up. “Damn it!” They yelled, then looked around. “Woah I’m back… also ouch…” They groaned as they rubbed their sore spots. “What happened? I feel like I fell out of a tree…”
“That’s my fault.” I said sheepishly, but moved over and hugged them. “I missed you my big fluffy birb.”
“How long were you in control of me? Time moves weird in Zanarkand.” They asked as they hugged me back.
“Maybe...a day or two?” I said. “I was only in the rift for a day and a half...I don’t know, all I know is that I missed you...I wasn’t able to talk to you cause you physically can’t hold me and yourself in your body at once.”
“Makes sense. I was in Zanarkand the whole time. Mostly just killed time, Met Tidus, watched and laughed at how that Occellus girl was with him and mostly just went sight seeing and then was watching a Blitz Ball game before I woke back up here.”
“That’s good to hear.” I nodded. “Also, if you saw a massive fuck off dragon appear out of nowhere...yeah that was me doing a thing.” I said sheepishly.
“Hmm… Nope, didn’t see anything like that before arriving back here.”
“Weird.” I hummed. “Well anyways, you're here now, and I’m so happy.”
“Does feel nice to be back. Aside from being sore as heck… there wasn't any way for me to… satisfy certain needs~” They said, giving me a quick kiss.
I kissed back happily, just super happy to feel my Griffon’s love again after what felt like an eternity.
To be continued...