Chapter 327: Chapter 294
Meridia POV
Kunou stared at me.
I stared at her.
I was.....unsure of how to proceed.
Her tails moved from side to side, the ears atop her head twitched every so often. A rather adorable smile on her face as she obviously waited for me to say something.
I had been by no means forced or coerced into this, but now that it happened, I was having trouble.
The Daughter of the man I had given my love to.
The Daughter of a woman who also cared for him the same way I did. Someone who I could call sister and not feel uncomfortable about it.
I had agreed to watch over their child as they attended an important meeting in their world. I was unable to attend personally, nor would it have been a wise decision for me to go due to my status. Thus, I wished to aid them and I was aware they would be concerned for their child. I believed they would be at ease and be able to focus on their own affairs if I watched after her.
Perhaps, I had not considered what that entailed, because I did not know how to handle children.
They required a very light touch, one I was unfamiliar with using. As lofty as my position was, I was always firm and direct with those that I ordered. However, this was not some random mortal that I could order about with my normal manners and platitudes.
It was difficult for me to separate the Goddess from the....Lover when I spent time with Wilhelm. He was understanding, and perhaps he enjoyed it when I was stern and strict with him. That foolish man seemed to relish in taking fanciful allowances from me for the inanest of things.
But something, someone, so young, they would be.....not as understanding.
I.....did not desire for this child to dislike me.
As strange a thought as it were, I for some reason, wished to be liked by this Youkai. It made me feel some unpleasant emotions at the mere thought of one Wilhelm's children having negative thoughts about me.
It was another strange feeling that Wilhelm had brought into my life.
"Your mother and father have left you with me for the day." I looked into her anticipating eyes. "Your mother has also given me a list of things you must complete before you are allowed time to.....play."
.....how does one 'play' with a child?
I only hoped her required tasks took her long enough for me to figure out.
"Momma said I need to finish my homework, then we can have fun!" The Little Fox Youkai happily exclaimed.
"Very well." I nodded in approval. "I have set up an area where you may work at your leisure." I gestured to the side where a table and chairs rose out of the ground. "You may call upon me if you desire anything."
The Little Fox looked at the table then back at me. "C-can you help me?" Her little ears drooped a little bit in what I can only assume is embarrassment. "Momma doesn't know, but I am having trouble. She was really busy and I didn't wanna bother her."
"I see...." Yes, her home must be in turmoil right now with what has been happening. Yasaka was my...sister, I would help her daughter in her stead. "I shall lend my aid then, Child. What do you require assistance with?"
"Thank you, Auntie!" Kunou exclaimed once more and I again felt a strange, warm, sensation in my chest.
I beckoned her over to the table as I sat down next to her "Show me what troubles you, child."
"Un." She nodded, producing a Book from a similar bracelet that Wilhelm had provided for every other of his targets of affection. She plopped a rather thick tome onto the table, colors and designs I was unfamiliar with. "I'm having trouble with Trigonometry."
A word I was not familiar with, but hopefully it was something that I knew by a different name.
There were several parchments laid out before her. Many symbols and what I assumed to be equations were written all over it.
"I don't understand." The Little Fox pouted. "I can't get from this to this." She pointed at the parchment presented infront of me.
And I looked at it with a blank expression.
....I had no idea what any of this meant.
She looked at me so expectantly, and I was completely clueless.
I should have expected that the knowledge of another world was not something I could have just assumed to understand. I had no doubt I knew what knowledge was contained within this tome, but the dissociation between worlds left me utterly confused.
I reached out for the large book and began to read where she had it opened to.
Realizing I was still confused, I flip a page backwards.
And again.
And again.
Until I found myself staring at the first page.
I looked up from what I was reading, looking at the fox. Still, there was that expectation of an answer on her face. And.....I felt rather embarrassed that I couldn't immediately deduce the problem of this child's school work.
I cleared my throat. "Child, have you ever met a dragon before?"
"A dragon!?" Kunou's eyes widened.
"Yes, a real dragon. Your father knows him well, and he would be enthused to meet you." .....It was not what I had envisioned when I took Durnehviir into my service, however, sacrifices must be made.
It only required a single thought for a bewildered Child of Akatosh to appear behind us. Bewildered by the fact that a small Fox was now running towards it with its arms wide open, trying to latch onto it so greedily.
The Ancient Beast looked at me with pleading eyes as Kunou grabbed hold of his head, speaking excitedly and without pause.
"Mistress?" The Dragon projected its thoughts towards me.
"...sacrifice yourself for your mistress." I sent back, turning away as I didn't know if I could handle the embarrassment of it gazing at me.
I required time to familiarize myself with this tome so as to not further make a fool of myself.
Perhaps I should seek out that other child from Wilhelm's world that was born in the void. Surely it should know the answers that I seek?
[***]
"Child, are you finished?" I lightly asked as the daughter of Wilhelm flew by me.
"Nooooo, one more time!" She whined.
I felt a small tug on the corner of my lips as I acquiesced to her request. "Once more, then we shall depart to see your mother. She has finished her matters."
Kunou cheered as I waved my hand, sending her far up into the air. A contraption created from the folding of space, and the bending of time.
Regardless, She was sent down a slanted slope, flying into a door that teleported her to another some distance away, sailing through the air as the diffusion of contained time sequence grabbed hold, slowing her down before propelling her forward again.
I do not recall how this came about, only that it was difficult to refuse any of her requests. Especially after I had to send her Dragon away for another matter. His pride could only take so much, and I was not one to torture my subordinates.
She giggled and laughed as she was teleported and careened through the air at random intervals. No harm was ever possible with me present, this domain was completely under my control.
I let out a content sigh as I gazed at the tome of arithmancy that was near me. A proud smile crept up as I had conquered this foreign book and was able to render aid to the little fox. It was if learning another language, I understood the intent, but deciphering it was the difficulty.
It was strange, never before I had welcomed another being into this portion of my realm. This little bench I sat at to find a peace within the few moments of eternity that I allowed myself. Wilhelm was the first that I accepted here, a special place that became even more dear to me as he finally said those words that I didn't realize I craved.
How that foolish man just made this ancient heart of mine flutter so easily. Of course I would never tell him such a thing, he would be relentless in his teasing.
Yes, it was a memory I believed I would hold dear for the remainder of my existence. I knew that there would be a time where Wilhelm would disappear. Our existences were too different, a thought that had made it so I never considered a mortal for this kind of acknowledgement. And the less said about my peers, the better.
I had never thought I would feel this way about another being, yet, it had happened so quickly.
Even knowing this would not last forever, be it millions or even billions of years into the future, it would end. I would cherish these few blinking moments in the current of time. I was.....happy. I was content that I allowed myself to try when that foolish boy first said that ridiculous line.
It was merely a curiosity at first. If I wished to get rid of him without making myself a liar, it would have been all too easy. I admit I was skeptical for a plethora of reasons, the most being that he wished to use me for his own gain.
Yet....he seemed almost entirely uncaring about my status.
Only.....caring about me.
It was a nice feeling.
Now, this place was host to another memory I would cherish.
My quiet place had turned to one of noise, but I could not be any less unperturbed. The soft giggling of a child's happiness met my ears as she continued to make her way through this contraption.
The small child slowly fell to the ground, her feet touched the grass without any harm, only the jittering of excitement still present on her face. She mentioned this being similar to something called a 'Rollar Coaster', what ever that was. Something from her home that I was still unknowledgeable about.
As long as she was happy, I did not mind.
"Are you finished?" I asked, knowing full well if she said no, I would not be able to deny her another go.
She threw her arms up in excitement. "It was so fun, thank you, Auntie!"
Before I could respond, her arms were wrapped around me, making me still in surprise.
".....It was no trouble, Child." I said softly, my arms unconsciously returning the affection. "Come, let us go see your mother, I am sure she misses you dearly."
"Okay." She smiled brightly, grabbing hold of my hand.
Her petite little hand felt so warm in mine as I waved my hand, leading us out of my realm. We touched upon the barrier that protected Nirn from the Realms of Oblivion, and immediately, I felt the eyes of Time's Progenitor lock onto me as I pushed through. This portion of me was small enough that I was not rejected with my small allowances.
I returned the gaze with a glare of my own.
For some reason, I swear I sensed some amusement from the source.
We appeared in Skyrim of Tamriel. A place I was more than familiar with at this point, even if I had precious few followers within this provenance.
Yes, the familiar home that welcomed one such as I so openly.
I was nearly pulled along as Kunou made way for the house. The Magical protections washed over us as we approached the door and she pushed it open without a second thought.
"My little fox!"
Kunou released me from her grasp as she dashed towards her parents. Both Wilhelm and Yasaka wrapped her up with a hug.
They all greeted me warmly, genuine smiles on their faces at my presence.
Once more, it was an odd feeling, but not unwelcomed. I never believed I would feel at home somewhere other than my own Realm.
[****]
Wilhelm POV
"Did you behave for your Auntie Meridia?" I rubbed my little fox's head.
"Un." Kunou nodded.
"She behaved herself." Meridia sniffed.
"Daddy, I rode on a Dragon!" Kunou wildly exclaimed.
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow towards Meridia who looked away from my gaze.
I have a feeling there's more of a story there.
"It sounds like you had a lot of fun." Yasaka cooed. "Did you thank your Auntie Meridia?"
"Uh huh!"
"Good girl." Yasaka kissed her forehead. "And thank you." She turned towards the Goddess. "I know it wasn't something –"
"It was no trouble." Meridia cut her off. "I...enjoyed it."
"She's too cute, isn't she?" Jinn walked up, giving the Goddess a surprise hug. The stiffness didn't last long, we were all used to how Jinn did things at this point.
She was probably, no definitely the most affectionate out of everyone here.
"Let's get you to bed, little lady. It's way past your bedtime."
Kunou wined, but didn't fight it.
"Does Daddy get a good night hug?" I held my arms out making her smile again as I gave her another hug for the night.
I loved this little fox.
"Come on sweetie, Momma is tired too." Yasaka beckoned her with a smile.
I waved my hand, opening a portal right to their home.
Yasaka walked over, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "We'll talk more tomorrow, have to get her to bed."
"Of course, unwind a bit, you earned a nice rest." We'd taken a couple hour or so to calm down after the meeting, but Yasaka performed spectacularly, so she deserved as much rest as she wanted.
She gave us one last goodbye before disappearing back to her home.
"Have the others retired as well?" Meridia asked. "I believe you had a few other people attending."
"Yasaka's Guard, Soma, was dropped off at the compound. Aotabō also went to give Nurarihyon his report on things that happened. As for Rin, well.....this was a little outside of her pay grade, without trying to be insulting. So, she's collapsed from some stress and went to bed already."
"Rin did admirably under the gaze of so many higher beings." Artoria nodded in approval.
"I believe everything went as desired?" The Goddess asked.
"More or less. We got what we wanted with little give on our end." I nodded.
"....I may have brought trouble." Raikou said softly. "Due to my heritage, I have gained the attention of Indra, my father."
"Shall I smite him then?" Meridia frowned. "I will make sure he knows his place."
"Fufu, as amusing as that would be to witness. It may bring more trouble than the desired effect." Scáthach giggled, walking up to my Servant, nudging her. "This one merely worries over something unimportant. If that God steps over a line, he will meet my spear."
It was too cute how protective Scáthach was of Raikou.
"She's right. I won't let anyone touch my woman." I said firmly.
"Master." Raikou smiled warmly.
"Besides, I already have a plan for that. Indra's already poked at us once before, so I think it's time to retaliate."
"You do not mean a direct confrontation, do you?" Artoria asked. "We cannot afford such a thing, I believe I do not need to remind you."
I couldn't help but smirk. "Trust me, he won't see it coming, nor will we even have a hand in it."
He'll be way too busy to even consider us as well.
"Then I have no complaints. He has reached out towards us on his own prerogative, I hold no ill will if you respond in kind." Artoria gave me her support and at the same time didn't ask for an elaboration.
I stepped over to Meridia, joining Jinn in hugging her. The Genie happily held her still, without Meridia even showing an ounce of discomfort. She really had come a long ways since the first time I flirted with her.
"Are you free tomorrow?"
"Do you require my help?" Meridia asked.
"No, I just want you to be around."
"We have invited Venelana over. I believe Wilhelm asked her for help with his Power of Destruction and we were going to use the opportunity to.....socialize with the newest member of his harem." Artoria clarified.
"You accept her then?"
"I have so far found her enjoyable to converse with and have no negative perceptions." Artoria admitted.
"Then I shall follow your lead." Meridia replied, glancing down at me. "I have no pressing matters to attend to. I can find some time to appear."
I was going to have all my girls together.
"Good, now that's settled. I believe it's time we move onto the important matter after having succeeded so brilliantly at the meeting." I dislodged myself from Meridia, addressing the room.
"Important matter?" Artoria tilted her head.
I threw my arms up. "It's time for the victory orgy!"
"Woo!" Jinn mimicked me, throwing her arms up as well.
However, the others just looked at me with utter contempt on their faces.
Even Raikou just stared at me blankly.
Though, it just further made the shit eating grin on my face grow.
"Only you, my student." Scáthach let out a sigh.
"Master is being naughty." Raikou pouted cutely.
Artoria turned a rather bright shade of red as she glanced around.
"No orgy?" Jinn deflated. Honestly, I don't think she cared one way or another, she just enjoyed stirring things up.
"You silly girl." Scáthach chuckled, plucking the Blue-Skinned woman into her arms. "Come, let us appropriate the bath, we can wash each other's backs and hair. The styling of this region's facilities will fit all of us together."
"I wouldn't mind getting out of these clothes." Raikou had a rather mischievous look on her face.
"....It was a common bonding experience that my knights shared." Artoria said quietly.
"I have some time before I must leave." Meridia turned up her nose at me, though it was still rather cute how she tried to 'act' peeved when it was obvious she was flustered.
"And no boys allowed." Scáthach grabbed my cheek with a huff. Though she did lean down and kiss me very quickly. "Accept your punishment." She added with a flick of my forehead, leaning down towards my ear. "However, you may find my bed later tonight." The words whispered into my ear.
She visibly sauntered off, her hips swaying right infront of me.
I let out a sigh as I watched them all disappear up stairs into what I could only imagine would be the closest thing to paradise on earth.
Oh well.
I was kidding anyways; they knew that of course. Mostly.
Could I just barge my way in if I really wanted to? Probably, but I do like them all doing things together.
Regardless, I actually had something else I wanted to take care of after the idea had popped into my head. And the quicker it got done, the better.
[***]
"Thanks for doing this, I know it was abrupt." I stated, as we made our way through the dark of night.
"I understand the need for quickness after you explained. I agree that it's something we should do sooner rather than later." Izzy replied as she walked besides me. "I'm only concerned if this is the correct decision to make."
"Do you really hate him that much?" I asked.
Izzy huffed. "He is unrepentant, lecherous, and an annoying man."
"To be fair, I think I can fit in that category for the first half. I do have a harem of beautiful women and do take advantage of that."
"....it's different." She huffed again turning away.
"Whatever you say." I chuckled, nudging her with my shoulder.
She pursed her lips, nudging me back. "It's the difference between being kind and charming versus boisterous and arrogant."
"Kind and charming am I?"
Izzy rolled her eyes. "I should have kept my mouth shut, now it's going to swell your head."
"You misunderstand. My Ego can't get any bigger." I said hautily. "Because I already knew I was very charming, and handsome, and powerful, and sexy, and –"
"Yes, yes, you're God's gift to every woman on the planet." Izzy snorted.
"Ironic considering I'm a Half-Devil."
"That's debatable at this point."
"....That's fair." Was I even technically a half-Devil.
Wouldn't becoming part Dragon and God lower that percentage? So what, quarter, fifth-Devil?
Thoughts for later.
"And we're here." Izzy gestured towards a Cabin at the edge of a wooded area. "You asked for a secluded location, this is one of the few I had available that no one knows about."
"I don't think anyone was watching any of us too intently at the moment, so I think this will do for now. And thank you."
"It is no trouble." Izzy perked up a little. "Except for dealing with this person. I will not forget the debt you owe me for this."
"Whatever you want." I smiled towards her.
"Hmph, I'll hold you to that."
And....it looked like her cheeks went red for the briefest of moments.
"They're already inside, let's go." Izzy strode forward flicking the door open with a slam.
"I thought I recognized those hips of yours." Odin's voice reached me even before I walked through the threshold of the door.
"I wonder if you can still recognize them after I break your legs." Izzy huffed in annoyance. "Oh look, no minder this time? How are you going to handle yourself if you don't have a babysitter?"
"Izzy." I quietly put a hand on her shoulder.
She scowled but relented. "Fine."
"Thank you." I said quietly. "And Odin, please don't insult Izzy."
"Whatever, brat." The All-Father rolled his eyes. "You going to tell me what you called me out to this deserted place for? Even told me to come alone. Is this where you try to silence me!? I'm telling you now, I won't go down without a fight!" He started waving his stick around.
"Don't put ideas in our heads." Izzy rolled her eyes at his antics. "If we wanted to kill you, you would already be dead."
"Ohoh, bold words coming from a neet."
"I am not a neet!"
"Really, then why –" Odin paused, staring outside the door. "And now, I'm surprised."
Another presence approached. A familiar head of dark hair, and an aura of death, even if it was reeled in.
"As am I." The man spoke. "I was told of who to expect, but even so."
"Hades." The Norse God grunted. "Now a lot of stuff makes sense. You're the one who gave them the information on the Khaos Brigade weren't you? You're a part of it afterall."
Hades raised an eyebrow, closing the door behind himself as he walked inside. "As expected of the Wise God of the north."
"You make it sound like it isn't obvious after seeing you here." Odin took a deep breath, adopting a rather serious look. He took a seat at a plain wooden table, propping himself up with his stick. "Alright, so this isn't a social call. What scheme you cooking up, Hades?"
"Don't look at me, All-Father, I was invited as well." His gaze turned to me.
"Damn, you really did pull one over on all of us." Odin let out a sigh.
Hades quirked a small smile. "I've heard what happened. My associates are still bickering on how to handle the fact that they've been revealed."
"They?" Odin repeated.
"Yes, I no long consider myself as one of their members. My....interests have now changed."
As if to answer, I deposited the Spear right on the table infront of everyone.
The All-Father went deathly quietly as he gazed at it. Hesitantly, he hand reached out to touch it, only for him to reel back at the faintest touch. "How?"
"Irrelevant." Hades replied. "The only important facet is that it's possible. And I wish for it to come to fruition."
"What's your game, kid?" Odin looked at me.
He was obviously skeptical and hesitant to just agree since this had nothing to do with what we talked about before.
"We have common interests. Hades, you said that with the current force the Khaos Brigade has, no single Pantheon could realistically stand up to them?"
"....It was a general statement. The Hindu's may be able to match them, but they wouldn't come out unscathed. Some are similar, some are worse. More of a mutually assured destruction of both parties for both sides. Few Pantheon's are willing to pay that price." Hades clarified.
"If the list you gave us was even half correct, it doesn't bode well even for us." Odin acknowledged.
"I can verify the list, I gave it to him after all." Hades stated.
"And I can vouch for Hades." Izzy also chimed in.
"Fine." Odin grumbled. "I won't question your ties nor the validity of what you gave. But what do you want?"
"We all have similar interests. Some align, some don't, but at the end of the day, this Khaos Brigade is threatening all of us." I replied.
"And you told the world about them. Now, everyone else is on the lookout." Odin retorted.
"And they didn't know about them until we?the Youkai Faction, blew the whistle. Call me skeptical, but I don't think that speaks well of everyone else. Sure, it's beneficial that now they're focused on it, but I don't like the odds of them being dealt with in such a way." It would certainly be beneficial for everyone else to be visibly laying into them when the opportunities arise, but their competency is questionable when this happened right under their noses for so long.
"Brat, didn't old Bones over here tell you in the first place? How are you any different than us?"
"I knew about the Khaos Brigade already, that they were made of up many different races. I simply didn't investigate further because it didn't concern me at the time." I crossed my arms.
"Fine, fine." The Old God waved his hand. "And what are you suggesting?"
"Hades is helping me revive the Biblical God." I said very plainly, making the Norse God's eye widen. "He's also keeping me updated on the Khaos Brigade and what they're doing. An alliance of sorts. I wanted you to be a part of it."
We already had a talk about the other thing I was helping him with. I wanted him to now be a part of what we had going on here.
"And what do I have to gain?" Odin asked. "I can't say I care or not about that Biblical God's return. It might even be detrimental for me."
"He would be in your debt, for one. But for another, we would work together. Not like the agreement we made at the peace conference. Let the others flail around in the dark, I want people I can.....trust to work with me for now."
Well, trust was probably too heavy a word. But he already knew a secret that could really harm us if it got out. And for Hades, well, I trusted that we wanted the same thing, and Izzy trusted him to an extent.
"I'm not against it, he already spoke to me about his intentions." Hades spoke up. "I dislike this merging of different Pantheons, however, I understand the need. The Khaos Brigade has overstepped, they attacked my domain, freeing both my Father and Hyperion."
"So while the others take the spotlight, while the Khaos Brigade focuses on them, you want.... A secret Cabal, a secreter Cabal than the one they have, to handle things in the dark?" Odin mused.
"To put it bluntly, yes." I nodded.
"It's not a bad idea." Odin rubbed his beard. "And it's an enticing thing to have the Biblical God be in my debt. Convince me then, that this is worth my time."
"Okay, I have a plan I wanted to immediately push through." I leaned forward. "Indra's been reaching at me and mine for awhile now, I wanted to push his attention off of us." I turned to Hades. "The Hindus seem to have very few members among this Khaos Brigade."
"I am doubtful if Indra was not aware of their existence. His sight is well known and even Apollo pales in comparison with his own prophecies." Hades admitted.
"It makes sense." Odin growled. "That the Lighting brat knew the entire time and saying nothing would be normal for him."
"More than that." I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. "The Hero Faction that attacked Kyoto. The Leader – Cao Cao, descendant of his name sake. He was one of Indra's toys, as Sun Wukong put it. So he was more than aware of what was going on and turned a blind eye because it most likely benefitted him in some form."
"And what's your plan, brat?" Odin asked.
"Push everything right on top of his head." I cracked a grin. "Hades, can you leak to the other members that Cao Cao was one of Indra's people?"
"It wouldn't be difficult." Hades rubbed his chin. "Even now, they are doubtful that the Youkai truly got the information from the Hero Faction. They were at the bottom rung of the whole organization. It shouldn't be too difficult to make them believe that Indra was subtly giving out the real information through one of his disposable pawns."
And it works well, but it's technically true.
Odin look at me, contemplating something. "I'll perform a ritual obscure his sight from us so he can't figure out what's going on."
"Does that mean you're on board?"
Odin cracked a smile. "Damn right. Just had to open with screwing over that Lightning Brat and I would have jumped right in."
So he says, but I don't believe that. I think he just wanted to view our competency before he put any effort into it.
In any case, fuck Indra.
This should keep both the Khaos Brigade and The Hindu Pantheon occupied for the time being so they don't' focus too much on us.
"Vicious plan, brat." Odin spoke up again. "I like it. So, you didn't say what you were doing about the crippled fellow." He poked at the spear with his stick.
"We are seeking out the other Holy Items." Hades admitted. "I am having...some luck in that regard."
"Yes, yes." Odin taped his finger against his stick. "That's probably the best bet. I'll see If I can't scrounge up any information on those either. They haven't appeared in this generation, publicly, yet."
Well, he's on board for now, so that worked out in our favor.
"Alright, I have a few more things to share that we didn't talk about in the conference. Let's get you up to speed."
[***]
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