Chapter 287

"So….."

"You should probably go see her." Izzy stated.

"Can I procrastinate a little more? I have a feeling that Meridia is a little…..upset."

"It's not good to make a woman wait, Wilhelm." Izzy chuckled. "And I'm sure if you explain the situation properly, she will not be upset."

Yeah, I know. It's just going to be awkward.

"Want a lift back home?" I offered.

"….Do I have a home still?" Izzy blinked, rather thoughtful. "I hope Ophis didn't just shatter Yomi in her anger before following."

"Can you not feel it?"

"Not when I'm outside Japan like this. While I could open a path due to my connection it's....thin? I suppose that's the best way to say it." The Goddess of Death shrugged. "I sincerely hope it's not destroyed, it will take centuries if not thousands of years to reform."

"Huh, didn't know it could reform…"

"It's part of an entire Cosmology, supported by a predominant World-View that is still prevalent among Humans in Japan."

That made sense.

I guessed it would take more than a regular 'destruction' to truly remove Yomi from existence.

"Well, worse case, you can stay with me." I gave her a genuine smile.

"…..You are one of the only people that would willing invite a Goddess like me to live with them." She huffed rather cutely. "Let's hope for the best."

I took that as a cue. I traced back the coordinates and easily connected back to where we were previously before running from a Dragon God. "Looks like we were worried for nothing."

"So it seems." She nodded walking up to the portal. Before she walked through, she quickly turned to me, placing a quick kiss on my cheek. "Don't think I didn't notice how you continued to put yourself infront of me when you thought we were in danger." She looked away and quickly disappeared back into her realm.

I was silent for a moment, rubbing my cheek where she kissed me.

[That was terrifying.]

"Yeah…" I responded, regaining my wits. "Though I didn't think you would feel the same way."

[Fuck that. Great Red and Ophis are scary as hell. I'm not a coward so I can admit they both terrify me. Find me any Dragon that says different, and I'll point to you an insane idiot.]

"What exactly do you know about them? To be honest, I never looked too much into them because I never had the intention of actually meeting either." Certainly didn't expect the Infinite Dragon God to come find me.

Though some of the things she said….or tried to say? Some of the things she implied were…..interesting.

"And do you think she knows about, well, me?"

[I wouldn't be surprised. Ophis isn't….a God of the world, if that makes sense. She – and she used to be an old man by the way – was born in the Dimension Gap before the planet came into existence. So take of that what you will.]

And the Dimensional Gap was the boundary between many dimensions. A unique space that existed around this specific world-line.

[I also heard something many years ago, but I never confirmed it.]

"Hmm?"

[I heard that Great Red stops outside invasions.]

….Oh.

I guessed I'm lucky that my method of travel doesn't run afoul of the fuck-off gigantic Dragon made of Dreams. Because at this moment, I was almost entirely sure that he knew about me.

"Maybe I should pay him a visit?" I almost laughed at myself for even saying it, however…

Strangely, I felt Ddraig shudder inside me.

"….there's a story there."

[I may or may not have met him before.]

"….you challenged him to a fight, didn't you?"

[I'm the Red Dragon Emperor! I can't have another Red Dragon above me!]

"How bad were you wrecked?"

[Fuck you.]

"I'll summon you right infront of him."

[…. I hate you.]

"yeah, yeah, now spill it."

[There's a Dragon-shaped crater on the moon.]

I opened my mouth, but I honestly had no words. How do you even respond to something like that?

"How'd you make it back to Earth?"

Ddraig let out a sigh. [I flew, and it was hard, because I had a broken wing....please don't tell Albion, he doesn't know that story.]

I'm sure he's leaving out copious amounts of Magical bullshit he must have used to survive in space.

"Like I'd give that shitty dragon any ammunition. Did you see his wielder? I felt like I was going to get cut from all the edge he was showing."

[Pfft, right.] Ddraig chuckled.

Well, I calmed down a little bit and got my metaphorical shit together. I made sure to retrieve the Spear to where Ophis decided to throw it.

I twirled it a few times, getting all the sand off it. Letting out a sigh, I was about to put it back until I noticed something strange.

A massive sandstorm on the horizon, and it was shaped oddly, as if...

There was a face in the storm.

And it was pissed.

And coming right at me.

And I think I could faintly feel Divinity from here.

[…..Are we in Egypt?]

"Well, shit… think they're still hold a grudge?" I questioned aloud, looking down at the spear. It's not like Big G was broadcasting his Divinity to the world. The Spear itself only vaguely gave off his presence due to its characteristics.

Would they really charge right at anything even resembling him?

The Spear started pulsing as if it was panicking.

I took that as a yes.

I threw my hands up and quickly opened a portal into Meridia's realm.

[***]

I wiped some sand from my face as I stood up, continuously dusting myself off.

That could have been bad.

Not like…..hurtful, but getting into a argument with another world power would not be a good choice.

But now I had sand in places I didn't want sand.

…Why don't I have a spell to remove sand? I know some cleaning spells, but they did nothing to sand, what the hell?

"Ahem."

I blinked, looking up at the source.

Usually, my eyes would happily land on those very beautiful legs of hers, but in this particular moment, something else about Meridia caught my attention. Well, honestly, all her features usually kept me preoccupied.

But it was something new, and I just couldn't put my finger on it.

Maybe it was the Infinite Dragon God that she was holding up by the collar of her dress?

And Ophis just had an utterly blank expression as she looked at me.

"I have never seen that child in my life."

[Well done.]

Thanks.

Meridia raised a single eyebrow. She slowly turned to Ophis. "Do you know who this is?"

"Yes." Ophis answered with that same blank look.

"Want to try again?" Meridia asked dryly.

"…..I love you?"

There was a little huff and a smidgen of red on her cheeks and she turned slightly away as to not meet my eyes.

"Stay." Meridia said firmly as she set Ophis down.

The Dragon God...didn't even react, simply continued to blankly stare and not moving.

"And you." Her head snapped back at me, her eyes narrowing. She snapped her fingers, and her dress shifted, covering her lower body completely. "You may stare at my legs once I get an explanation." She crossed her arms with another huff.

Blasphemy!

"..Do you keep your dress that way just so I can look?" I blinked in realization.

The red creeping back up her cheeks was answer enough for my question. "Why is there a foreign Dragon God in my realm?"

"I…..panicked."

"You panicked."

"Do you see that thing?" I gestured towards Ophis.

Meridia looked at the still silent Ophis, pursing her lips. "You don't seem to be panicking right now."

"Of course, you're here." I shot her a bright smile.

There was a little twitch of a reaction from her, like she wanted to smile but held it back. "I suppose I cannot fault you for that. I can see why this creature would give you concern. Even I would have trouble facing it outside my Realm."

[You're so damn lucky that she's fucking head over heels for you. Like 99% of the shit you pull would have gotten you obliterated by anyone else of her same power.]

I can't help it that I'm so handsome and dashing.

[Die.]

"So, you forgive me?" I chose to ignore the jealous dragon.

"Hmph." She waved her hand and the sand on me disappeared. Not to mention her normal style of dress returned.

She's way too cute.

"She was trying to recruit me to fight a Dragon equally as powerful as her. And my opinion seemed….irrelevant."

At that, Meridia frowned. "Do you have something to say for yourself, Child?" Meridia glared at the Dragon God.

"Want my Silence back. Baka-Red too noisy." Ophis looked up at Meridia. "You help."

"No." Meridia denied immediately.

"…..yes?" Ophis quirked her head, as if she was never told 'no' before.

"Child, I am more than capable of putting you over my knee." Meridia being stern like a parent was...oddly a turn on.

I want Meridia with a big belly.

It was one of my life goals.

"Not Child." Ophis frowned, showing the smallest of emotions.

"To me, you still are. I was born at the dawn of the Universe, you are merely birthed from the outer void of a single World." Meridia didn't relent and I felt a sort of meeting of powers. Ophis did what she did in Yomi and Meridia just...ignored it.

Huh, I forget sometimes how old Meridia was.

Yeah, she was the first Light that came about when the concepts of the Universe came into existence. From the myths I read, Akatosh was one of the first, the embodiment of time, and Meridia – who used to be known as Merid-Nunda came sometime after.

Honestly, I might be having a tougher time if Meridia wasn't also shielding me. I felt a faint light envelop me protectively.

"…P…lease?" Ophis tilted her head, as if trying the word out for the first time, the pressure she emitted disappearing.

Meridia looked at the Dragon God and let out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I suppose I share some kinship with you. A Dragon and a God that embodies the infinite cycle of rebirth. Speak, Child, what is it you desire, why are you trying to acquire the aid of my man for your goals?"

"Too noisy, want my silence." Ophis….seemingly pouted.

"Uh, I think I understand." I interjected, earning their attention. Kinda figured it out when I was trying not to need to replace my pants. "She was born in a lifeless void, the existence of life is too much for her, too 'noisy' as she says. Another Dragon, one of equal strength more or less, invaded the void she lived. It is the collection of Dreams from all creatures on Earth."

Meridia blinked, processing that. "I see. That is not hard to rectify, I can carve out a small corner of my Realm and separate it from any other concepts and 'noise' as you call it."

"Silence?" Ophis perked up.

"Don't get excited, it comes with caveats." Meridia immediately rebuked. "You will be…..employed by me. I will give you a place to live that fits your desires, but you will answer to me when I require it. If you do not accept this transaction, you will be sent home, however, you will never threaten my man again, are we clear?"

Meridia didn't raise her voice, but the very realm shook at her words.

Even Ophis shuddered as Meridia glared down at her.

"….yes." She said very quietly, looking at the ground, like she was being scolded by her mother.

"Good." Meridia nodded, the pressure relenting. "Now choose."

"Silence." Ophis perked up.

Meridia let out a sigh, waving her hand. "Very well, go through there, it will be your new….home for now."

Ophis didn't even question it as she walked through and disappeared.

"Well that takes care of that…."

"If possible, I would very much like advance notice if you intend to drop a being of that power on me."

"In all honesty, I seriously panicked. I was with Izzy and she just forced herself into Yomi and demanded I help her. I tried running away, but she could easily followed, forcibly opening a portal I closed."

"Hmm, the Death Goddess." Izzy walked up, inspecting me. "No wonder you smelled of Death."

"Was it noticeable?" I blinked. "Do you hate it? I know you're a Goddess of Life…."

"I do not hate death specifically." She shook her head. "Death is a natural part existence. Without Death, there would be no Life, thus my own purpose would be irrelevant. What I detest about it is the perversion of the natural cycle. It is easy for those to abuse the powers that are inherent in the opposite spectrum to my own. Thus, those who wield deathly powers often are those that go against the natural order."

Good, that's good. I don't want her to hate Izzy, both of them were important to me.

"What about immortals?" I asked, a little curious. "If someone gained immortality, would that be something you despise?"

She leaned in and I took it as cue that she wanted some affection, so I wrapped my arms around her, happily initiating a hug. I could feel her relax in my arms. "Ignoring the obvious things I dislike such as undead, a regular being becoming immortal is of no concern to me. They are a living beings, and through their own effort, they have extended it, however, true immortality is a lie. One day the lights in the sky will go dark, the universe will no longer support itself, and even me and my kin will fade from existence. Everything will end. So no, I do not have any second thoughts about beings like so. They will die one day when everything else vanishes. Such is the nature of Life, that its purpose is only fulfilled when it ends."

"That's oddly comforting to hear when I consider my ultimate end."

"Hmm, is it my words or my rear that you're currently squeezing that comforts you?"

"Little of both."

"You're ridiculous." She snorted, though made no effort to stop me. "…..We have some time before I must turn my attention elsewhere."

[***]

Sun Wukong POV

I admired the large, transparent, Tree that would always appear in the distance. Regardless of where I went in this realm, that Tree would never move from that spot.

It was always a beautiful sight to see.

Maybe I should visit more often when I'm not on duty? They had quite the unique drink selection in the realms of Yggdrasil. And the food was always delicious….

I hummed to myself idly as my cloud soared through the air.

Unfortunately, it wasn't my trusty Somersault Cloud.

Just a Cloud I...acquired from a passing Immortal after visiting The Jade Palace.

Had to refill my stock of Peaches.

I couldn't possibly know why the Jade Emperor was especially upset that day.

My old bum was still sore from all the Lightning Punishments he sent at me.

Thankfully, I didn't have to search to far, I could see my target in the distance and my cloud soared forth. I cracked a little smile that when I peered at him from several miles away, he too met my gaze.

"Come on, you brat! Put your back in it!"

"L-Lord Odin, Help! Ahh!"

"You're doing fine."

"Stop hitting my barrier, it's going to break!"

I flew up, eyeing the group from above.

Odin, All-father.

A man who any God would be foolish to dismiss, even with the attitude he'd taken since retiring from the Asgardian Throne all those years ago.

Despair and Depression can cause people to change drastically.

But I don't think anyone could fault a man for wanting to step away when his Wife died.

I heard the tragic tale of how Odin's Wife – Frigga passed during the Great War.

Since then, he has taken up just traveling the world for any whim of his, never staying in any place for too long. Rarely did he return to Asgard these days.

Personally, I had not met him in many years at this point, but the smile he sent my way made me relax as I wasn't unwelcomed.

I didn't interfere and just watched. Apparently Odin had taken up a Valkyrie to teach, or torture, depending on your view.

"It's only two Giants, bah, kids these days." Odin scoffed. "Back in my day, we didn't have any of that fancy magic, we had to beat giants, with our bare hands!"

"Y-you invented this magic!" The Valkyrie cried, the two giants slamming their first on her barrier as she was pushed to the ground.

"….Don't get smart with me, girlie! That's ten points off your final grade!"

"Since when am I being graded!?" She cried again, the cracks became more predominant. "I already graduated from Valkyrie School!"

"Don't back sass! Another ten points, haha!"

"Waaah!"

"Look, I'll even be merciful and give you some advice. Giants are large beings, so, they have a very large weakness that all other men have!"

"A-are you telling me to –"

"Punch them in the dangly bits, your airhead!"

"I'm a woman!" One of the giants suddenly stopped, turning to glare at Odin.

"..."

"….."

"My Apologies." Odin took his hat off, bowing his head.

"Hmph." She scoffed, going back to pounding on the Valkyrie's barrier.

"Is what you thought I would say!" Odin let out a mad cackle as he leapt at the supposed female giant, his Divine Spear in hand.

The spear of his that could match many powerful and legendary weapons, even those Indra hoarded.

"I'm an equal opportunist when it comes to kicking ass!" He laughed, stabbing the female giant through the foot. "Take my Gungnir since you're not getting my other 'Spear'!"

"Lord Odin!" The Valkyrie whined. "P-please don't say things like that in public!"

"Shut up you boyfriendless Valkyrie. You can tell me not to talk about my 'spear' when you actually see one for yourself!"

"But you walk around naked all the time!"

"Hahahahaha! No wonder you don't have a boyfriend, I must've ruined you since no other men can compare!"

"Waah!"

I let out a snort, watching the two's antics.

It was clear that Odin was just playing around and he wasn't actually teaching the young Valkyrie anything productive.

I descended, holding my Pipe out, I waved it in the air smacking the second Giant on the back of the head who had been assailing the young woman, knocking it unconscious.

"Waa!?" She blurted out in surprise.

"Old Monkey, it's been awhile." Odin greeted, sitting atop the corpse of the Giant he had just slayed.

"O-old Monkey…..S-sun Wukong!?" The Valkryie exclaimed.

"How did you do this again?" I scratched my head before clasping my hands. "Well met." I gave a Norse-style greeting.

"Heh." Odin stood up and bowed respectfully. "And to you, old friend."

"Teaching the new generation?" I eyed the star struck Valkyrie.

"Bah, she's a lost cause. Always shouting and ruining my good times." Odin harrumphed.

"Then why do you keep her with you?"

"Hmph....it's hard to find someone who can keep up." The Old God grumbled, clearly having an attachment to the young woman.

"Hmm, so you wouldn't mind If I took her? I got a grandson about her age, I could –" I stopped as a spear was at my throat, though a wide grins split my face. With a chuckle, I pushed the tip of his Divine Spear away from my neck. "You were always a softie on the inside."

"Hmph, her Grandmother would castrate me if I let anything happen to her." The Old God grumbled again. "Why are you here, old Monkey? I don't mind you visiting, but you're being awfully composed. Did that Lightning Bastard send you over here? I don't mind telling him to his face what I think about any plans or damn schemes he's cooking. Maybe I should remind him that I can look into the future if I chose just as well."

Hmm, not entirely unaccurate. Odin didn't have the inherent ability like Indra. No, the Old God could do it through his own Magical Prowess and Rituals.

Honestly, I don't know if that made it more terrifying or not.

"Yes, and no." I admitted. It was no good to try to lie to an Old God like him who could see through such things.

"Explain." Odin propped himself up by his spear.

"I'm on a job right now, but he didn't tell me to come over here. I did so because I think it would be the easiest option."

"Just out with it. You're not the type to try and be coy about this crap." Odin sighed.

"The Peace Conference that's coming up with the Three Abrahamic Factions, I assume you're going?"

"...Not many know that." Odin grunted. "Is this how that Bright Pidgeon felt when I revealed the same thing to him? Damn future sight, I'm going to mess up his predictions after this, just watch me."

Haha, well I wouldn't complain. If there's one thing that would ruin Indra's day, it's someone else messing with the future through similar methods.

"Can I take that as a yes?" I smiled.

"Bah, of course you already know, you wouldn't come out here otherwise. That old crow Azazel asked me to come. I talked with my boy and he thought it was a good idea, so I was gonna represent Asgard and make decisions based on that."

"That and you were called out, weren't you?" I raised an eyebrow. "Loki causing problems again?"

"Nothing we can prove, obviously." Odin sighed. "So I gotta go clean up his messes again."

"Why do you continue to put up with him? Politics be damned, you wouldn't suffer anyone else that's done what he's done over the years, even with all the good he's done as well."

"…..It's complicated." Odin said quietly. "Regardless, what you want?"

"Mind if I tag along as a witness?"

Odin Blinked. "You want in?.....Does Indra have an interest in the Three Factions now? He's always despised them. No, it's something else, I'm sure he's been keeping up with the news, so it's most likely has to do with that young boy who fought that Susanno brat. Did Indra take an interesting in him as well?"

"Yes, but I already investigated him for Indra. This is something else."

"Hmph, investigating a brat barely in his twenties?"

"Yeah, I felt bad about it too. Uncovered some…..personal information that I wish I didn't. I never like playing these types of games with the younger generation, just doesn't seem fair. I gave him a Peach as an apology."

"You lot and your Karma. I guess that alleviated you from some guilt, huh?"

I just shrugged. "But to answer, it's specifically about one of the women who appeared at his side."

"Ah." Odin said plainly, and I know I didn't need to explain further. "But….why are you investigating a women who Indra lent his weapon to?"

"…..Who said Indra lent her his weapon?" I raised an eyebrow again.

"Stole it? No….then how?" Odin's eye widened.

"That's the question, isn't it?"

Odin tapped his chin, clearly deep in thought. "This is...odd."

A foreboding thing for such a wise God to say.

"If I do accept you, you know you're going to have to follow the rules? No pulling any of that Indra bullshit, even if he asks you to after I agree."

"As a Buddha, I swear." I raised my hand up, flaring my holy aura to prove a point.

"I'll take that then." Odin nodded in approval. "This is turning into a bigger and bigger event."

"Oh, are more factions joining?" Indra rarely told me any additional details.

"Azazel is cooking up a scheme to try and pull the Youkai in."

"That's expected after everything. You can't ignore players of that caliber and they would be fools to not try something so obvious. That reminds me, did you look into the God Slayer that reappeared?"

"Not fully, information is scarce. I'll get a better look when I go. Don't know how she's walkin around, saw her corpse myself during the War. Took a handful of Minor Gods with her, and a few of those original Devil Pillars those winged bats like to go on about."

"It should be interesting. Anyone else?"

"The Angels convinced Lugh to throw his lot in with them." Odin replied.

"Hmm, I think I remember that Lugh was close to the God of Heaven." I rubbed my chin. "Which is weird considering how much Christianity wiped out their religion in the region among the humans."

"Only on the surface." Odin stated. "You know how hard it is to control worshippers, never doing what you want. He helped light bright move the important stuff away from the public. They lost a lot of popularity, but their foundations were never in danger at all."

Interesting if nothing else.

"But enough of that, we need to hash out the details. Which means, to the strip club!" Odin loudly declared.

"Lord Odin!" The Valkyrie cried, having been jolted from her stupor previously. "You can't! Think of your position."

"My position is about to be my face between some big boobs!"

"Waaah!"

Oh well, I guess I could humor him. I knew he's doing it just to mess with me, and probably the little Valkyrie to a lesser extent.

Though I am looking forward to this [meeting.

[***]

Sorry for the long delay, had a bunch of things going on with the intention of pumping out a huge chapter over on p.a.t.r.e.o.n. Didn't really work our entirely as planned, but i managed to more or less to the equivilent of about three days. On a side note, i saw some peopel saying that Ophis was stronger than Meridia? I know that often the collison of different media has many arguments, but I think this is one of the most clear cut cases of -- Meridia is substantially stronger than Ophis as full power.

Anyways, if you want to read 7 chatpers ahead, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone