Dark Priestess

This won't be easy, but I am not as powerless as when I fought Mundus!

Idunn fired her breath at me and I dodged sideways, immediately after, I rushed her way and once close to her, I pulled out a hammer and began bashing it against her head, but that seemingly annoyed her more than anything, she swiped her claws at me and I jumped, only for her to blast again and sent me all the way to the entrance in one hit

-Tch…

It did hurt, but not the worst hit I have taken, I healed myself and got up again

I rushed her way dodging beam after beam, she suddenly rushed me and body slammed me, it was quite painful but not enough to stop me!

-CHAOS! CONTROL!!

Time stopped and I jumped all the way to her head and as time started again, I delivered a crippling hit to her head, she reeled back in pain and then making a swift turn, slammed me with her tail, crashing me against a nearby wall

-Gah!

-Master! You ok?!

-Ngh…I can still fight

I got up and raised a barrier when I noticed she fired her fire breath at me, the purple flames were concerning, but I was able to hang in there

-Alone I won't win, Kasha! Yuki!

-Ready!

-Nya!

I summoned both and they stood by my side

-We knock her out correct?

-Correct

-Nyahahaha! Let's begin!

Kasha took off full speed and began hitting Idunn with her purple fire whip, since she was too big, running her over was a no go, but she did draw the aggro of Idunn pretty well, Yuki joined in soon after, while dangerous, she isn't gonna die as long as I don't either, so she mainly used her naginata to deliver blow after blow to Idunn's scales, lastly, I joined in trying to get critical hits on her head but…

-Why is this not working?!

-No! Master! This is-

I dodged a tail swipe, we had been going at this for a while and Kasha got near me

-Nya…meowster…she…she isn't taking damage…

Yuki landed by my side

-My liege, this dragon is strong…any ideas?

-Monica?!

-Remember! How difficult was Idunn in the game?

-A weakling!

-Exactly! Because of cut content she was nerfed, but originally she was nigh unbeatable without the binding blade!

-Oh don't tell me…

-You are facing that version without the blade!!

-Fuck me!

No wonder this isn't working! Tch, think…

-Meowster!

Kasha picked me up and we dashed out of the spot as Idunn fired at us again

-My liege! If what Monica said is true, then we don't stand a chance against her!

-Wrong! We do stand a chance! We are doing little damage, but we ARE doing damage!

-You are not gonna suggest we just keep at it till she falls, are you meowster?!

-That's exactly what I am suggesting! Throw me at her!

-For fuck sake Meowster! Go!

She launched me into the air and I shouted

-CHAOS CONTROL!!

The cooldown had passed thanks to all the time we spent doing little damage, so I was able to dodge her tail, got to her head and as time began again, I shouted

-SLEEP ALREADY!!

I smacked her head again, once again making her reel, but it wasn't enough, she shook me off and sent me flying with a claw strike back at the girls

-GRAH!!

Luckily, Yuki caught me

-My liege! Are you ok?!

-Gghhh…I…I am ok…see? That one worked!

-I feel like you only pissed her off nya!

-Whatever…send out those beyblades of yours…Yuki, attack at a distance, our plan now is to get her attention and open up a chance for me to bash her head!

Both nodded and began distracting her while I went stealth mode and tried to find chances to climb up and smash

Unfortunately, she seems to have realized our strat and she was heavily wary of me now, making stealth impossible, her attacks became less about damage and more about area denial, she couldn't get close, but neither could we

We were now at a standstill, while she couldn't touch us, we couldn't touch her either, so we were at a loss

-Ngh…if this is a stamina battle, I am going to lose…

-Your plan isn't wrong though master, we just need an opportunity!

-But Kasha and Yuki are looking exhausted…any ideas?

-Worst case scenario, we retreat

-How many will die if we run?!

-Who cares?! At least you will survive!

-Monica…

-I have lost you enough!

-…Tch…

Worst case scenario huh?

As we continued however, I was able to draw her attention and dodge, but instead of Kasha or Yuki landing a hit, a quick slash happened and Idunn reeled back, finally bleeding from one eye

-!

-What the?!

Then, the figure who helped me out, landed above one of the pillars that was broken due to our fight

-Need help Eric?

-RYU!!

Hayabusa to the rescue! Perfect!!

-I felt the evil presence here and came as fast as I could, is it related to you Eric?

-I kinda awoke it

-Mercy's sake…we'll talk about it later

He jumped away from the pillar dodging Idunn's tail and he landed besides me

-You haven't gone for any lethal attacks, care to explain?

-I can save her!

-That so? Ok, what do you need me to do?

-Aim for her tail and claws, reduce her mobility, work with Kasha and Yuki

-The demons?

-Youkais, now they are my summons

-Introduce me later, let's go!

-Showtime!

Now I'm feeling confident! Ryu's blade can do severe damage to dragons! Not the true version unfortunately, but this one will do!

Motivated now, we worked together as we finally gained an edge on Idunn, she was overwhelmed by Ryu's techniques, and blade, thanks to that, many of her scales were blown away and weak points emerged, Yuki and Kasha didn't hesitate to use them to inflict damage, we weren't trying to kill her, but this should slow her down

It worked beautifully as I got a couple of good hits to her head, her scales were breaking and her attacks became more fierce, actually trading with us shocking both me and Ryu as we got tail swiped, that one actually hurt too…

-Ngh…you ok Ryu?

-Ugh…judging by all the craters…you are used to it?

-Kinda…here

I healed us both, my mana is now dangerously low

-How close are we?

[Monica?]

-One more! She can barely keep it together!

-Open her up one last time everyone!

-Got it!

-Nyahaha!

-The dragon shall fall!

We struggled one last time as Idunn was desperately now spraying the whole area in fire and doing her utmost to keep attacking, Ryu charged up his ultimate technique and disappeared, then laid the beatdown on Idunn, she tried to swat him away when Kasha arrived and grabbed her claw with her whip, actually holding her back, Yuki took note and using ice chains, stopped the movement of her other claw, Ryu disappeared and stabbed the tail to the ground, then all at once they shouted at me

-MEOWSTER!!

-DO IT NOW!

-HURRY!

I used the last of my mana and blasted myself to her head, her one eye regaining clarity for one last second

-IT'S OVER!!!

The damn attack emitted a shockwave sending everyone flying as Idunn slowly turned back to her human from, badly injured and unable to even stand, the dark smog left her and fled full speed, using strength I didn't have, I got my ocarina and rushed to Idunn, everyone else was exhausted, so when I got to her, I heard her grunt

-I...I... Gah... I am alone...in the dark... I am alone...in...darkness...

I hugged her and forced myself to use more mana and healed her, then, while I still held her, I began playing the Song of Healing

"Idunn"

"90 (This man…)"

[Monica! Full output!]

-Got it!

I saw once again the purple wings envelop Idunn, she gained enough strength to hug me back

"Idunn"

"170 (So warm…)"

As the song continued, the smog appeared again, in front of me, this time forming a face, a pale man with red glowing cracks all over his face, he was handsome, but he also had a demonic look to him

-You…

He said venomously

I didn't stop playing

-So you are the champion that bitch sent to stop me…

I glared at him

-You have been making a lot of waves, I won't deny it…but do you really think you can stop my resurrection?!

I shook my head

[Monica]

I felt someone by my side appear

-No, he is going to kill you

-…Is that so? A mortal killing a God?

He began to cackle

-I will rip you apart and turn your lovers into the toys of my army!!

I glared at him with complete bloodlust

-Unyielding activated

The song ended and I said to him

[Come get me then motherfucker]

-?!

His expression twisted into one of confusion before dissipating

-Erizabeth will not allow him to harm your lovers Eric, don't worry

[I am not, when he comes back…]

I clenched my fist

[I will kill him]

"You have successfully stopped Idunn from falling under the control of Nekrozhstek"

"You have scared Nekrozhstek into fleeing!"

"Erizabeth is shocked a mortal's will was enough to scare a God! She has high hopes for you!"

"Upgrading gifts"

I looked at Idunn, she was looking at me, this time surprise clearly visible on her beautiful face

-The darkness is gone…

-!

-I am here now…

-Y-You…

-You're no longer alone…

I passed out after telling her that

…

…

Nya…this might be a problem…

-Why do you say that Kasha?

-Meowster Eric is unconscious, and that ninja guy looks pissed!

-Oh, Ryu just looks like that by default, don't worry, he is just worried about master, he is currently unconscious due to the overwhelming abuse of his mana

-Nya?! Won't that hurt him bad?!

-Don't worry Kasha, he'll be fine

-If you say so…

I got off both my wheels and looked around, Idunn was cradling meowster's unconscious body, she had a soft smile on her face, Ryu had sheathed his sword and was now meditating while Yuki got up and headed towards Idunn, I joined her

-…Are you…his friends?

Nya…her expression froze over

-He is our master, I am Yuki, this is Kasha

-Pleasure Nya!

-…Eric…will he be ok?

-He should be, my liege is way stronger than he looks, Lord Hayabusa, how are your wounds?

He looked at us and got up, getting close

-I'll be fine, I am more worried about Eric

He looked at meowster and then at Idunn, she seemed fearful of his blade, his expression softened

-He truly saved you…haaaaa…as usual, he is unpredictable…cat

-Nya?

-What is the plan now? This demonic dragon cannot be left to her own devices lest this happens again

-Meowster Eric has plans to have her live with him, that way she won't cause any more troubles Nya!

-I already secured a new house for you all

-Effective as usual Monica!

Ryu sighed ignoring what I said to Monica and then said

-What about you Dragon? Do you wish to follow him or-

-I want to spend the rest of my life with him

NYA?! How bold!!

That did catch everyone off guard, suddenly however, Ryu chuckled softly

-Is that so? Hm, it seems like Ayane will have to share

-Ayane?

-Don't worry about that Snow woman, I'll be heading back to my village, when Eric wakes up, tell him he owes me one

Like that, Nyu Hayabusa left, we were left alone with Meowster and this demonic dragon…hey, Monica?

-Yes Kasha?

-Meowster can see the numerical value of each bond he has right?

-Indeed, are you curious?

-Yeah, what's she at?

-Oh, simple

"Idunn"

"❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 (My light)"

-Nya…

-Indeed Kasha, Indeed

Meowster…I hope you will be able to deal with that level of love…

…

…

Ngh…

-Welcome back master

[How long have I been out?]

-Couple of hours, I am honestly more worried about how you will explain this haggard appearance to your girlfriends

[You and me both…I am gonna get scolded again…]

-It's what you get for being reckless

[Fair enough…Idunn?]

-Fawning over you

[Kasha and Yuki?]

-Guarding you

[Ryu?]

-You owe him one

[Of course I do…gifts?]

-Check it

"Chaos Control has been upgraded B—>A"

"You can now pause time for up to 4 seconds and you can now reverse time up to 1 second before"

Pretty cool…huh?

"Blank Slate Ex—> Omega"

Omega…?

-I…I am not sure either master…

"End"

[So fucking vague…at least it's good right?]

-It should be…

[Not filling me with hope Monica!]

-I mean, it was upgraded right? Erizabeth would never harm you!

[Ok…makes sense…I should open my eyes, dunno what this Omega thing is, but I hope it's good]

As I did, I saw Idunn beautiful face smiling at me ever so softly, she seemed surprise when I woke up before saying to me

-Welcome back

-Sorry I napped so long, you ok?

-Thanks to you, I am

-Wonderful

I left her embrace much to her clear displeasure and I stretched a bit

-Aight! I am good!

-Meowster!

-My Liege!

And I was tackled down to the ground again, ouch…

I still patted both in their heads as they held firmly onto me

-Sorry for worrying ya, I'm okay now, you both did fantastically

Upon hearing that, Yuki's ears perked up

-Then…my liege! May I ask for a reward?

-Certainly

-Then excuse me

And back to kissing, I may not be able to wake up ever again without being kissed…

Not that I mind honestly

-Nya?! Sneaky! I am next Meowster!

I didn't quite answer, only after a few minutes did she release me

-So…wonderful…

-Right, come on, back here

She entered my soul and I looked at Kasha who was smirking

-Well?

-Come on already kitty

-Nya!

Another long ass kiss later she let go

"Kasha"

"❤️❤️ (Wonderful…)"

-Nya…I want more…

-Rein it in Kasha, come on

She entered too and I sighed

-At least it motivated them

I looked at Idunn who seemed to not care at all about what just happened

-You have been asleep for a long time

-Hm

-Someone is using Manaketes to cause destruction, likely trying to restart the war that you participated in, I don't want that, so I found you first

-…What are you going to do?

-I need help, but if you don't wish to fight anymore, it's fine, so instead, I want to ask

I smiled

-Wanna come with me?

-Yes

Well that was easy!

-Master…

[Hm?]

"Idunn"

"❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 (My light)"

Ah…I see

Ok, I have been meaning to ask this for a while so, [Monica?]

-Yes master?

[What the hell is up with those symbols? What do they represent?]

-…So, you understand how 150 is unbreakable bond and 300 is obsession right?

[Yup, pretty clear too]

-Wonderful, the hearts are beyond that

[How is there a beyond?!]

-Soul link

[What?]

-Let me put it like this, your soul is special, by this point it's hard to assume otherwise, you follow?

[I think?]

-Good, when souls are linked, the hearts as far as I understand, show how tightly bound souls are, 1 heart is already way farther than most bonds go, but in this case, a soul link means that your emotions are officially amplified

[What?]

-Ok…umm…how do I explain this?

[In english?]

-Very fucking funny master…ok, look, you know how in some shows and movies when someone dies another person "feels" it?

[Ok, that I get]

-Perfect, it's something like that, when souls are linked together, you will kinda… "feel" each other, think of it like a 7th sense

[Ok…]

-The more the hearts, the tighter the connection, beings with a lot of power can more easily link souls, however, it also amplifies emotions, take it as joy, you saw how the girls who kiss you, tend to fucking lose it, that happens due to the soul connection between the 2 of you

[I get it, that explains the extra reactions]

-It works both ways master, if you die, they will feel it, and it will HURT, vice versa, if any of them dies, you will feel it

[Hmm…]

-The first heart is the connection being made, a second heart onwards just means how tight the connection is, if it reaches…umm…5, it essentially is unbreakable

[Meaning?]

-Death, Gods, whatever the hell else, nothing can cut the connection, no matter the lives, time, universe, the connected souls will be together and will be unable to separate, even if you die and find yourself in a new life without any memories, your soul will be drawn together, you get it?

[Jesus…]

-Exactly, this is actually scary, and they happily jumped into this fire

[Christ…ok, next up, what is it about the different hearts?]

-Ah, variety, wouldn't it be boring to just look at the same heart many times? I merely changed the color or design to differentiate

[Ok…and these hearts…can any bond reach it?]

-Dunno

[Dunno?!]

-Yeah, this is beyond even Erizabeth's expectations, dunno if it is possible with a male who sees you as a brother and not in love, so I dunno

[Ok…]

On the time I spoke to Monica, we were walking out of the temple, Idunn following me, but at one point, once we left, she grabbed my hand

-Hm?

-…

-Idunn?

-…My heart beats faster when I do this…is it not ok?

-…It's ok

I got my phone and saw, it was 18:00, we spent a while fighting it seems, either that or I spent too long being out

So I called home, Leona picked up

-Eric?

-Yeah, heading home, today was a huge success

-Do tell

-I interrupted some sketchy looking fuckers, you know the type, robes, evil look, cultist looking assholes, they unearthed a huge temple that was buried, I followed them in while listening in

-Hm

-At the end, was a barrier of sorts keeping a woman in stasis, I overheard them calling her the "Demonic Divine Dragon" and they wanted to free her to then put her under their control, I took both of them down, but the party broke the seal and unleashed her, some black energy attacked her as I was talking to her and she went ballistic, the losers died in the crossfire as I, Kasha and Yuki barely were able to push her back, only when Ryu showed up did we stand a chance

-You are ok right?

-Yeah, all together we were able to defeat her and I was able to use the song of healing, saving her and actually having her join us, dunno if she wants to fight, but she is pretty strong! As such, she won't be used by the enemy

-I see, I shall relay it to the others, any info on their base?

-Zilch, might try again later, I still have other things to do ya know?

-Hm, then we'll see you home

-Right, love ya

-!?

I could feel her getting flustered over the phone before hanging up, she really is adorable…

-Eric?

-Yes?

-Someone you love…wife?

-Not as of now, hopefully in the future

-…Do they…also kiss you?

-Yeah, that's what lovers do

-Lovers?

-Indeed, people you love, ya know, romantic love!

-…More than one?

-That's how it is here, polygamy allows multiple spouses, as long as everyone agrees

-…Odd

-Tell me about it! Despite being grateful to this system, I still am having issues adapting to it!

-Eric?

-Hm?

-Do you love me?

-No

That made her visibly flinch, she stopped moving

-Idunn?

-Why…not?

-…Cause I just met ya?

-Is that a problem?

-Yeah, love doesn't just start randomly, at most a crush, but true love comes from being with a person, enjoying their company, ya see what I mean? You gotta spend time with them

-How long have you spent with the woman on the box?

-Box? Ah the cellphone, around 3 years

-Not too long, I can make it happen

-What?

-I will make you love me

It's hard to take her seriously when she says that with the same emotionless face…

-Uh…sure? Say Idunn?

-Yes?

-Do you love me?

-Yes

Fucking hell 0 hesitation…

-Why? We just met, and most of our time was spent fighting

-You saved me

-Yeah, you were corrupted by an evil creature

-No, not that

-?

-The darkness, the cold…the loneliness, you saved me from that…you are my light, your soul gave me hope

-…

-I am not alone anymore…your soul, those wonderful wings…they saved me

-Is that so?

-Being with you I feel warm, I feel happy, I haven't felt this in so long…

-But that may not be enough you know? Perhaps the time you spend with me will only make you unhappy, specially with my attitude

-Kasha and Yuki told me, I do not believe I will be unhappy

-You have a lot of faith me…

-No one evil would have such a wonderful soul, I believe that I am correct

-…If you say so then, come on

I picked her up in the classic princess way and made my wings appear, they were awfully easy to produce this time

-…Monica

-On it

"Eric"

"Rank: S"

"Age: 15"

"Strength: S-"

"Agility: S-"

"Magic: S"

"Endurance: SS"

"Charisma: SS+"

"Luck: A-"

"Perception: S+"

[Holy crap]

-Master…your power is increasing at a scary rate…

[Good! I can keep up with my friends!]

-Yeah but…your ability truly allows for some scary potential, no 15 year old should be this powerful…

[Don't compare me to mobs, what about the legends?]

-Yeah, they can keep up, but…still…

[What's worrying ya?]

-It's just…I dunno, I feel it's too fast…things are going too well you know?

[Too well? Monica I have nearly died 8 times in 15 years, that's 7 extra times more than normal people!]

-Ok, good point but…ugh, I just can't put my finger on it!

[Relax, maybe I have stressed you out with all the help I have asked, maybe a rest will do good]

-I am literally a spirit bound to your soul! Exhaustion is impossible for me!

[Sure, sure]