The man continued eye contact with Dante. And there was a constant signal to who would attack first.
"Yeah? And what if there's no reason for that?" Dante raised his hands, clenching his fists. And the man got closer, and closer, and closer....
Until he burst out laughing. Dying of laughter.
"There he is..." he shoved Dante. Wrapping his big arm around his neck. Ruffling his knuckles against his head. "I knew you'd come for me."
"Yeah, yeah." Dante pushed him away. Chuckling himself, "Weren't you imprisoned? How did you—"
"Let me show you." Thorne smirked. To Lili's confusion. But to Dante's dismay and agreement, he nods.
The three drop from the tunnel and into a hole below, showing a prison camp. Looking at the light in the middle of the prison realm. "As bad as they make it sound, they have a great view for prisoners." Dante puts his hands on his hips.
"I agree... but don't say it like that," Thorne looked around. Looking specifically at the middle of the light of Alfheim. "This place is hell as beautiful as it is. And the guards are hell themselves too." He says as he looks at the pile of dead bodies. Piled up in an open cell. To Dante's surprise.
"So... I think there might be an overdue conversation..." He looked at the cell, and Thorne summed it up to, "I did it Myself. Their aggression is what got them killed."
Lili got close to one of the closed cells which were shut by light. And she touched the light. But it wouldn't budge. Trying to push into it. But she's too little and small to do anything. And clueless as to how. Thorne comes up to her. "Look above you." She looked up and saw a blue crystal.
"That light crystal powers the cell. I didn't know anything until I actually got out of the cell."
"So you brute strengthed it?" Dante raised an eyebrow. And Thorne chuckled. "Hurt like hell." He extended his arms. Showing the burns of the light. "Believe it or not I had a cell mate who tried to do the same thing and got burnt to dust." And Dante jumped to the higher levels to see if anyone else was there as the crystal was turned off. But...
"Looks like nobody made it out." He only sees skeletons.
"I tried to escape Svartalfheim. Apparently I was too much for the Dwarves, and Odin decided I was going to a prison cell in a war zone between light elves and dark elves. Right here" Thorne explained.
"Couldn't be easy." Dante dropped down.
"You were here for a year." Lili realized the gravity of the situation. "I can't even stay in our own house for half a day!"
"What matters is that I'm here now." Thorne shrugged it off. "Where's the team?"
"Yumi just got back from going to Tsukinoshima. And we have a new friend." Dante walked to Thorne. And of course he doesn't know anything. "Hm? How so?" Dante scratched his face. "Yeah, about that..."
Yumi is in a fight with a light elf, using her Katana to parry the staff, spinning around, she slices its side. But the light elf pushes her away with a swing of their staff. Blinding Yumi with light energy. But she closes her eyes. Sensing an attack coming through, and just as predicted. She swings her lightning infused Katana with around herself. The light elf dodged swiftly, dashing towards Yumi. But Yumi turned around with a spin. And with a slit to the throat and sheathing her Katana. Walks towards Lina. Who looks like she's gone through a bath of blue blood.
"I'm concerned..." Lina sticks her hand out to Yumi for her to pull her up, and she does so with a chuckle, "Don't be. They're just another tale." She says as she gives her her back. Resting the Katana on her arm sleeve as she swiftly swipes the blood off. "It's nice to have another woman on the team."
"Really?" Lina raised an eyebrow at the compliment with an amused smile, rubbing off some of the blood on her clothes.
"Yes. It's either us or having to wash with two other men." She looked back at Lina, "And Lili likes to keep her space to herself."
"That's flattering." She smiles warmly.
"You're in luck," She sheathes her sword. "I was in your place too." Lina took a guard to this.
"What do you mean? If you don't mind me asking," she dropped down to the floor to sit. Trying to rub her cloak against her dirty clothes in all the spots she couldn't.
"I was raised in the lands Tsukinoshima, in a family where honor came first," She looked down. Looking at the reflection of the Katana. "From my father as a Legionnaire, we were in ties with the Tsukoyomi Legion. The Moon god. And the husband of the sun goddess, Amaterasu. Her legion sometimes came and spent the time together when they were together. I loved my uncle who was in their legion. And I was destined to become the princess of the family." She looked up to reflect for a moment.
"I don't know what happened. But just like all romantic partners, you will get yourself into an argument, one way or another." she walked toward some of the dead corpses. Picking up Kunai's, smoke and sticky bombs.
"The argument was so strong, They wanted to take over each others Legions... and they wanted either side to at least be Legionless." She moved the bodies around. Searching for her gadgets. And she picks up a Kunai.
"And I happened to be the side to lose it. Completely." She clenched her hold on the Kunai. But takes a deep breath and keeps it to herself.
"They were cowards," she hissed and got up. "The night right before the war, one of the Legionnaires had an army of men. And sent them to my home. And they slaughtered my whole family." She furrowed her eyebrows during her whole sentence. Leaving Lina with her mouth opened.
"I was left alive thanks to my uncle. He fought his own army to save me. He was of the many Legionnaires who didn't know it either." She looked over at Lina.
"With no other choice, I lived with my uncle. And for a few months everything was... okay. Until my uncle asked me to be the princess of their family. To lead and take the heir of a legionnaire..." she walked over to her.
"And as much as I felt bad for my uncle. I didn't for the family I lost because of the sun goddess. So after making them angry at me... I ran away. Not one came to look for me. Only Athena once I got onto the shores of Elyngard."
"I grew up with Dante, since we were both teenagers. And a few months ago, My uncle sent a message to me to come back to the islands for a war that he was gonna fight against Amaterasu's Legion, as he hid himself from the punishment to fighting her legion to protect me. And ever since that war I went on a quest for vengeance. And I lost my code of honor, and my uncles respect, but it meant something else."
She helped Lina get up once she was done. "I was not to be of a million samurai. But the first Ninja."
Lina smiled, "I respect that." Yumi nodded as she put in the final Kunai in her inventory. "Let's find those boys before they get too far."
Meanwhile...
"Goddess, you know I have ties with Asgard, I must follow through." Quinzel kneeled to her. His head down.
"And you of all people, should know how Odin is. The girl I understand. But the second he gets what he wants you're just a loose end. And you will be tightened." Freya crossed her legs.
"Not with you, Madame. I will be safe." He looked up at her a hint of hope despite his unwavering face.
"No. I can't go any further then Elyngard or Midgard because of him, what he wants is what I don't want for you. Listen to what I say. Dante is that destructive weapon we need. Or to put him down. And I choose the necessary over the exertions."
"And I follow through with what I must." Quinzel got up. And She smiled, the goddess of beauty showing her most defining trait. "I believe in you, Quinzel."
Quinzel nodded. But... he was actually nodding at the air. He was at the bar. Scratches all over his face from his fight with Dante. And he was constantly bothered by it. And he let out a deep sigh. "It's everyday with the same thing." He sighed to himself. Drinking more from his cup. He was at a tavern with other Asgardian warriors and civilians, but mostly warriors. He dropped his cup. And walked out. Bumping into one of the fierce, blue skinned, almost lifeless, warriors. Who pushes Quinzel back. But he doesn't do anything. And one that stands out. Looks back. He looks almost like he's a god to...
Quinzel walks out of the tavern. And into the city of the lively Aesir civilization. And goes inside of a lodge. As he walks inside the beautiful cabin, decorated and declared glory everywhere, from other warriors to Valkyries. But he goes further inside. Skipping the main hall. And into a hall with 6 rooms... and the biggest one was of course the all-fathers.
But when was it that easy? A familiar figure came out of the right door. Staring a Quinzel, and his snowy blue, magical ethereal eyes eyes glowed from the slight darkness shining from the windows of his room.
"What are you doing here, Ransom?" Heimdall stared with wide eyes and a sinister grin from a shadow. And Quinzel narrowed his eyes at the god of foresight.
"I was—"
"Obviously," Heimdall rolled his eyes, spreading his hands out as if it was a schedule. "I'm the god of foresight. I read minds for the all father, and you know exactly what the answer is." Heimdall came closer to his face. Circling around him. "Did you even think why I called you ransom? Because with one arm. I can go get that little slut that piece of shiit of a man.Calls a daughter. And because you can't do it. You have a price to pay." He grabbed him by the shoulder so that they have eye contact. Staring at him with wide eyes. "With your life. And You will never leave here with it."
"Let's go ask him together then." Quinzel got closer to Heimdall. And Heimdall laughed loudly. "We're not going to do any of that anytime soon. Can that get through your thick skull?"
"Heimdall." A voice called, "Leave the lad alone." It was a bald man, with two golden horns and tattoos around his scalp and the back of his head. Swiftly dressed with a huge, fur lined white cloak. Marching his golden eyes, with the same mark of the Aesir as Heimdall in his eyes and a long white beard. And Heimdall turns back with Disdain. "What do you want, Mimir?"
"I want you to piss off." Mimir glared at him coldly. And Heimdall only let out a bitter chuckle. "Okay, and what if I don't?"
"I am your elder. And your own father puts you below me. Do you understand that? It's reality calling you." He narrowed his eyes. And Heimdall puts a sour face. "Don't you understand? He intends to betray us, Mimir—"
"I know more then you ever will because I'm the god of Knowledge. Dismissed." Mimir crossed his arms expectantly. And Heimdall. Angry as ever. Just narrows his eyes in a grudge. And walks away slowly. Looking back for a few more seconds. And Mimir's eyes soften. "Sorry about that, little brother. What do ya need?"
"What do you mean I can't leave?" Quinzel gritted his teeth as his hands grasped the table. "If it was for me I'll let you As much as Heimdall is a pain in the ass, he's right. Odin wants you to finish what he started."
"And if I don't want to? I just have to follow like his slave? When I'm not?" Quinzel stood up. But Mimir put him down. "He either doesn't want to have to kill you. For wanting your death of all reasons." Mimir put his hand on Quinzels shoulder. But he shrugged it off. And Mimir only sighed. The two soon later walked out the lodge together. "Tell you what, brother. If you can go on pursue again to catch her. You just might be able to leave in peace. Sound good enough?"
Quinzel looked up at the god of knowledge. "Yes." But his eyes showed disinterest in the idea. He had other plans. "Right. Go on then." He smiled, walking back into the lodge soon after seeing Quinzel walk away.
Quinzel entered his inn. His eyebrow twitched slightly. As he slid down to the floor tucking his knees with his arms. Looking up at the ceiling. He wondered what he would genuinely do. And it would have to be genuine, but smart. "This is bothering..."
Quinzel muttered. looking towards his bag. And as much as he wanted to leave. He wasn't a risk taker. But he need to take it. Not for wanting. Because for wanting he would be killed. But for needing would be another story. "Tonight I'll leave."
And while this happened. Heimdall was just outside Quinzel's window. Watching from a far. "And then, I'll bother you. Isn't that sweet?" He said to himself with a wide and arrogant grin.
Back to the others....
"So why is he so important?" Thorne scratched his hairy chin. The three Thorne, Dante and Lili were all crossed legs in the middle of the prison. "He's a god. And not a good one..." Dante scratched his head. To Thorne's dismay, he rolls his eyes. "The glazing of a God. And where did I get my battle scars from? A god! Where is he? Nowhere to be found. That means nothing." He grinned. And Dante even with his cocky personality, corrects him.
"I'm serious, Thorne. It's not just anyone. It's Heimdall. He knows what you'll do way before you even think it. And it's been that way for 2000 years. And that's without including the others." Dante put his hand on his chin. And Thorne shakes his head.
"You see? I hate this part of you. You're overthinking it too much." He crosses his arms and chuckles as he stood up. "We're the Athena Legion. Nothing has stopped us."
"And... You jinxed it." Dante scratched his head with a doubtful look. "Look, I never doubted our strength. But the Aesir? They're a mess of daddy issues and power-hungry lunatics. Not exactly the best mix ."
"You're not wrong.." Thorne put his hands on his hip. And Dante curled his fists. As he hopped on his feet lightly. "Thanks. I get that a lot." He smirked. And Lili was still laying on the floor.
"I want to go home..." she sprawls in the floor. A look of hilarious grief on her face. And Dante stares at her with a amused yet disdainful look on his face. "When don't you want to go home?"
And then a rumble is heard from above. Shaking the part they're in. And The three look up with tension. And Dante and Thorne get back to back.
"Wasn't my stomach..." Dante glances to his side.
"Mine either." Thorne looks around. And Lili looks terrified of what's next. I just ate and I'm gonna throw up." Lina and Yumi hear and feel the same. But only look up in a state of tension and worry.
As soon as she says. That the head of a giant dragon smashes through the ceiling. Leaving everyone in shock. Shards and millions parts of debris fall as it roars and blows everyone away in shock. "You should throw up in its mouth a little. See if that kills its appetite..."
it lunges down to chomp on Dante. But Dante immediately catches its bite with his hands.
"Hey there, big guy." Dante throws it off. And swings his leg into a backflip. "Get a taste of this!" And kicks the Dragon hard enough to reer his head back.
"Dante!" Thorne breaks a used to open gates and throws it at Dante who catches it. "Gotcha!" And Dante is on it. He runs up on a wall. And jumps off with power and a twist in the air. Teasing a opportunity for the dragon to bite the adventurer above him. But is fast enough to avoid it. And instead bites the chain. Despite his skill and calm, "Close! How about another meal instead?" He smirks as he pulls himself up the chain and swings up and over and gets on top of the dragons head.
With the chain still intact. He grips it tightly as he maneuvers around the dragons body. Wrapping it tightly around its mouth. And upper body. And does a final wrap by being running upside down the dragons body. And then jumps off and swings up the dragons body. Make a final diagonal draw to make an x on its mouth. Sealing it. And throws it to Thorne. Who wraps it around the deck of the chain held gate and wraps it several times with immense strength.
"Sealed," Dante quipped. "Talk about picky and bad luck, you got a metal noodle and you're tangled with it." He chuckled as he squat down to get a view of the Dragons furious eyes. Which growled. And bites on the chain. And suddenly the chains glow gold and start crackle. "Uh-oh. That's not good, is it?"
And in a blink of an eye. Dante is sent flying by the explosion. His grunt and yell heard as the ceiling explodes. Exposing the dragons body. And it knocks him unconscious as he falls down high.
"Dante!" Thorne yelled high. And Dante jolts awake.
"Thorne! Just—" But Dante is cut off as the Dragon lunges back in to bite Lili and Thorne. But Thorne grabs Lili and rolls to the side. "Go with your brother," Thorne whispered Lili. "What?" She responded. "Go!" And throws Lili high into the sky. Making her shriek. But Dante catches her mid air. "You're safe." But Dante looks down at Thorne. "What are you doing?"
"Getting this thing out of our way." Thorne opens his hand. Recalling the terrifying axe. And Dante looks surprised by Thorne. But only for a second, "Better not write your memoirs." The dragon dives in for a second bite. "Gift incoming!" And Dante barked, snaps the Elyngard shield off of his arm and throws it at Thorne. And it lands on Thorne's forearm perfectly. And activates the shield to stop the Dragons jaws from biting him.the platters of the shield stuck to its gums. And the Dragon takes him with him as it reers its head back. Throwing Thorne to the sky. Thorne. Mid air, charges his axe with flames in a second. And it explodes in flames as he dives down and swings all the way back gritting his teeth with a roar as His axe hooks onto the Jaw of the dragon. Making a deafening screech
. And The Dragon tries to shake off Thorne. As well using its tongue to eat him. But Thorne isn't all for it. He smashes his axe into its tongue. Its tongue dragging it into its mouth to eat him. But Thorne holds on to its tooth. And violently destroys its mouth with his axe. Its mouth. Its tongue. With hacks and slashes. And to end it. He hooks his axe against to its tongue. And scrapes the hot blade onto its tongue. And the dragon. Uses lightning, tries to blow up Thorne in its mouth. But due to the flames. It only explodes its own Jaw off and sends Thorne tumbling flying away. And he lands on the floor out in the open. But the animal is so mad. Even with its just ripped off. It screeches its lungs out. And Thorne, not easily giving up. Roars back.
Meanwhile...
Yumi spun with a diagonal slash to the chest. Into a horizontal one to the right to the gut. Stabbed her Katana into the light elf. And dragged up to split it in half. And with a flick of a small swing. The blood flies off of her Katana.
"There are million of them." She says as the light elves fight. Having to protect and Defend Lina.
"You don't have to tell me!" Who's freaking out as always. Yumi ducks and rolls under a light orb from and stabs her Katana into the ground. The lightning shockwave striking everything around her. And the last one that was left alive before reinforcements. Meets with Yumi's eyes. And Yumi narrows her eyes as she gets into Stance slowly. "It's You or me Who's quicker?" She gave a cold look to the walking light elf. Who quickly raised his staff and charged. But hilariously enough Lili is silently dropped into the hands of Lili and Dante comes in. Wraps his arm around its shoulder. Spins around. Grabs its neck with his legs. And slams it back first into the ground and lands crouched. "And stay down!" He says as he launches a flick of his pink flames, Hellblaze. Which makes a small crater in the ground. "He literally did not see that coming... so it's me." Dante put his hands on hips and smirks. And Lili yelled at Dante. "Hey! You didn't need to do that."
"Where's Thorne?" Yumi asked, to Dante's nod. "Thorne's fighting the thing that made those sounds. A dragon."
"Isn't that great..." Yumi replied sarcastically. And Dante assured her, "We need to get out of here before the entire realm comes for us. Any ideas?"
And as soon as he says that. There's another army of light elves flying and looking down at the 4.
And their dead peer. But Dante isn't intimated. "You guys are late. Don't worry, there's a lot more where that came from."
The light elves staff sprouts open into a canon for the light orbs. And the entire team looks eyes wide. "Okay. Run and Gun it is then." Dante barks, before he doesn't even get a bite. The team scurried to safety as they escape gunfire. And being caught. Dante punches a nearby pillar and it tips and hits some of them.
"Agh... Thorne's so dumb. Trying to take on a dragon when he's barely stable himself..!" Dante quipped as the 4 all dodge their own obstacle like debris and the beams. And Lina looks over at Dante. "We're not leaving without him, right."
"We're on that, Lina. " Dante says as Yumi launches sticky bombs at the elves. And Dante suddenly does a backflip behind a charging elf. Handspringing off its back and into a pillar where he returns the favor. And slams him into another pillar with a two footed backflip kick. And continues to dash. And Lili who's struggling to keep up.
Thorne fights the Jawless dragon as it launches beams of lightning at him. And when the dragon leans in just enough to attack he parries with his shield. Spins around. Hooks his axe into its face. And into its eye. But it's roar pushes Thorne back without his shield.
But Thorne lifts his hand and recalls it, flying into his hand. But activates his shield and the flame engulfed Axe and clangs into his shield for a powerful explosion. The force managing to reer the dragons head back. And Thorne jumps high into the air and to the ceiling of the palace of Alfheim. But the Dragon launches a pulse of lightning. And it hits Thorne violently. And he holds for awhile.
He grits his teeth and groans and growls. And the Dragon swipes down at Thorne. Slamming him down. And smashes through the palace. But Thorne grabs onto a light crystal that was the lamp of the war ground.
Coincidentally, the rest of the Athena legion were in the same room. "Thorne!" Dante yelled. "Dante!" Thorne yelled back, looking at his lightning engulfed axe. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Thorne climbed up the lantern. And Dante looked at The crystal and sees what could be. "A second after!"
"That's all we need!" Thorne said. Dante's fist glowed with innate energy. And then soon turned into magenta flames. Turning into a slim dragon. Which wraps around a flame created spear. And steps forward and launches it straight at the crystal with enough force that destroys the rest of the ceiling. Leaving its destruction to frame death too.
And Thorne's looking for another. The crystal impales the dragons head. And Thorne jumps high into the sky. Raising his axe with both hands with the still lightning engulfed Axe stabs it into the crystal. And then engulfs his axe with his flames. And the Dragon roars violently as almost the heat of the sun and lightning infuse and make an explosion that blows it head off and everything around it. And Thorne lands on the ground ragdolling. But he gets up slowly looking at the falling giant corpse. But doesn't move a single muscle. And funny enough. It's headless corp just lands in front of him...
Oh and the Legion are here. Dante panting on the ground. Yumi having to take a knee. Lili cradling herself. And Lina lies there looking absolutely shocked of the display of power.
"Someone in Elyngard said Dragons were extinct," Dante rolled to lie on his back. Looking at the sky with a sense of relief. "They should've told this one..."
"It died the way it lived— Terrified of what's to come." Thorne wiped the blood off his face,
"At least it didn't leave empty handed." Yumi got up.
"Why are we talking about death right now..." Lili says scared. Lina put a hand on her shoulder.
"We're safe, that's what matters." she assured. Acting like she wasn't having a panic attack herself.
"Agh!" Lili collapsed face first, as they all safely arrived into the temple's portal gate. And Elda is there to see Lili.
"Oh my!" The female dwarf put her hand over her mouth. And Kragur howled. "Ha! Fucker-duns. Dun fuckin' around for once?" He grinned. And his face soured with a sigh. "I'm gonna drink." With a look of disdain. He walked away from his craftsmanship.
A few showers later...
"Aww, I missed you too guys!" He says as he cuddles his two wolves Fenrir and Sköll grinning cheek to cheek.
"They behaved good while you were gone." Dante said as he served the wolves a bowl of mishy-mushed food. Petting both of them.
"You're the animal, you know that?" Thorne called Dante with a light smirk. And Dante got up from his one knee stance, pecking an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Dragging both of my wolves to Midgard to possess their scent to the Norns. Falling off a waterfall with them? Are you asking for a death wish?"
"And aren't you the animal lover?" He said with a smug look on his face.
"Doesn't change the fact I would've killed you if they died." Thorne gives Dante a terrifying look.
"Hey. They love me just as much as you. The three of us would haunt you as ghost's." Dante snickers. And Thorne laughs loudly.
"Whatever you say, man." The two fist bump. And in the corner Lili looks traumatized. And Elda comforts her.
"Are you okay?" Elda rubs her back.
"No... I just want my dolls back..." Lili sniffles.
And Lina and Yumi are talking to a drunk Kragur.
"What are you saying, Dwarf?" Yumi looked over at Lina. And Lina was just as confused.
"Shut up, ya motherfucker..." He wheezes with laughter. And Yumi only narrowed her eyes, "What?"
"No... that's me, girl." He gives a drunk smile. A bit of his drink spilling from the corner of his mouth. And he grabs Thorne's axe. "This is my girl... the axe of Muspelheim. Ya see this baby mama? She can fight back against Mjölnir." He touches the axe passionately. Staring at Lina with drunk and heavy lidded eyes.
"...yeah?" Lina raised an eyebrow.
"She's burning hot. 'Primordial flames' hot..." he says as he accidentally teases his finger on the blade. And yelps. "Shit!"
Yumi chuckles. Putting a hand on her cheek "She must be toxic too then." And Lina only looks shocked. But can't help but cover her mouth to laugh.
"Alright, people," Dante puts the plates. "Dinner is served." He smiles softly, putting his hands on his hips. And everyone comes to the table.
"But before we eat," Dante smiled warmly, "I'm happy that we're all together."
"And once we're done..." he looks over at Lina,
"We might have a new member." His smile expands into a grin. And Lina smiles.
"Maybe."