Side Story 35: A Fenrir’s Legacy.
Erm
There was a pain in my head. My bed, no, the floor was cold and dirty. While opening my eyes, I pushed myself up, only to feel sothing soft fall off as I did. Deja vu? This sudden realization woke up entirely and I snapped my head towards the object, only to actually see my husky plushie.
Goma-kun? I picked it up, but quickly recognized from the feel of it that it wasnt my old toy. It was actually my sli! Shoyi?!
The husky plush squird, even twitching its stitched-up ear, before its form softened and turned into so fluid. Eventually, it transford back into my black-purple sli, Shoyi. While I was still surprised at this transformation, Shoyi took advantage of my hesitation and moved right up to my shoulder.
Oh, hey, dont be like that! You know Im ticklish! I grit my teeth, trying my best not to laugh but couldnt help but form a grin.
[Alpha!] Four voices appeared in my head as Shoyi kept playing with . I turned my head around, only to be surprised at my four garms charging and pushing onto the ground, only to assault with a storm of tongue licks.
[Alpha, you woke up!] Unos voice showed an explosive elation, sounding as if he was waiting for for an eternity; however, I couldnt begin processing what he said as my face was starting to feel disgusting.
Stop! Stop it! Argh, eww! Urgh! Stop! I grimaced as I got so of my garms saliva into my mouth, trying my best to spit it out, only for my garms to continue licking my face. Strong I might be, but it felt like it was impossible for to break out of this.
[Master!]
[Alpha!]
Even more voices suddenly appeared, this ti they ca from three of my virigresses. When I looked out, Ajay and Shere, the two virigress cubs, jumped into the mix and began cuddling . Thankfully, Varya wasnt doing anything, but it felt like she was watching die like a bystander. I could use so help here!
Jeez, what is wrong with them? Hahaha!
I was confused, left in the dark, so to speak. Just why and how did I earn such a greeting?
But it only took a few more seconds for to finally piece together the puzzle. The puzzle I had inside my dream. The fog was being lifted, unveiling the threads of mories and patching up the holes. I rembered everything, and once I did, I commanded everybody to stand down.
Hearing the tone of my voice being more assertive, my garms, virigresses, and Shoyi stopped playing with . I pulled so water out from my [Storage Magic], confirming I was back in reality, and cleaned myself up before standing up. Once I did, I gaze at my surroundings.
Black sphere? Right, now I rember.
Uno, how long have I been asleep?
He nodded and gave a quick answer, [Almost two weeks, Alpha. We counted the moons while you were in your trial.]
Right. Right. Still, two weeks? I was stuck in that black forest for two weeks until I figured it out? Wow. Not the best, Saori.
Got it. Right, that happened. Now I rember
[Saori Segawa.] The voice of an older man entered my mind as I gazed upon the stone statue of a once proud fenrir. It was made in his appearance. [I have waited for you to co for a long ti. Hmm. Already B rank and you are still only a pup. Outstanding.]
After he greeted and thanked both Hanazawa and Tatsuya, the Belzac, the S rank [Three-Eyed Fenrir] spoke to , treating as if I was a long lost kid, or sothing. With his deal with Edna, his soul didnt reincarnate, but was transford into an onnikai, so I was actually speaking with a person from over 2000 years ago.
If I were still the old Saori from back on Earth, getting to personally speak with soone that old would have probably made giddy, albeit, also a bit scared. After all, getting such a chance would have been so monuntally small, only so weird magic or eldritch-like science could cause sothing like that.
However, I was, more or less, apprehensively nervous about being here.
[I heard Goddess Ilsaphone had told you what I wanted with you and about my deal with Goddess Edna,] he continued.
Hmm? Wait, where did you learn that? Did you speak with her? I noted the hints in that sentence imdiately, but Belzac himself wasnt really willing to answer it in full.
[Does it matter? No.]
Oh, right? Fuck you, too, smartass. Thankfully, I did not send that ssage. Phauuue
[Then I shall be brief about it, but first, did you learn what Ilsaphone wanted from all of this?]
I tilted my head, unsure what he ant by this.
[I had made two deals with the gods. First, Edna, to make my bloodline sworn to her as Champions. In exchange, I would not be reincarnated by her authority and I would be allowed to receive my revenge. The second is with Ilsaphone, to assure my soul doesnt deteriorate with how long it could take for to take my revenge. In exchange, I beca an onnikai, sworn to aid her in her creation of a patron race.]
The statue began to twitch and shake. I couldnt see his onnikai form, but I rembered Hanazawa telling his soul was trapped in the statue in order to prevent him from going feral like Kiiro.
If youre talking about onnikais, then we already have so of them settling down, Hanazawa chid in. They are already taking over undead remains. Ive seen it with my own eyes, so what does a Goddess need our help with, anyways?
She was right. My four garms and the onnikais from Estralia were pri examples of Ilsaphones plan succeeding. She should know everything going on with them, so why was Belzac stating such a request? If Ilsaphone spoke with him, then she should have ntioned that part.
[Wrong.] However, Belzac declined our assessnt. [I know naught of what you speak, but the only four successes in Ilsaphones plan are yours, Saori. Your pack. Co!]
I snapped my head to the ground, hearing so low growling coming from there. My four garms head peeked out from my shadow, scowling and baring their teeth at Belzac. Theyve been feeling uncomfortable ever since we ca here.
[Hrm? What is this attitude? Pups! Do you not know who I am?!]
A terrifying aura erupted from the statue, paralyzing everybodys body. It had to be [Tyrants Aura]! That oppressive feeling of so giant monster staring you down, thinking of you as nothing but an ant in its way. That instinctual fear to run away was there, but every single cell was too terrified to listen to my mind.
[Terror (Minor)] inflicted on [Young Stygian-Scaled Fenrir, Saori Segawa]
Urgh! Sensei! Tatsuya and Kyouya fell on the ground, having lost their strength.
Arck! Not this shit again! Hanazawa tried to use her new unique skill, but she could only kneel in the end, too overwheld by Belzacs presence.
Urgh! I stepped forward and shrouded my students in my shadow before manipulating a separate part into a shield for them. I glared at Belzacs statue, channeling lightning around my body despite how much my cells were telling to run and to not fight him!
This is a test. Rember what Ilsaphone said! He needs . I will not be dominated!
Controlling my mana, I infused energy into my muscles, slowly raising my trembling arm up, ready to shoot a lightning bolt at him to stop. The pressure was getting to my head, making it feel like it could explode at any mont. With every step I took towards Belzac, the more suffocating it beca.
[Terror (Moderate)] inflicted on [Young Stygian-Scaled Fenrir, Saori Segawa]
St-op! It Arghk! I tried to shoot out the stygian lightning, but I tripped, having lost the necessary strength to stand up anymore.
Gotta turn back! Shadow Dash!
But before I touched the ground, a black magic circle appeared underneath before my garms [Black Tendrils] grabbed my arms and pulled directly into the shadow world. The montary respite of not having to feel Belzacs aura was refreshing, but a chill went down my spine as I felt sothing lurking behind .
When I turned around, I
[Hmph!]
saw Belzacs statue. I looked around, noticing the rocky walls. I wasnt in the shadow world anymore.
[Hahahaha! Brilliant! Brilliant! You really are the one, Saori! Gahahahahahahaha! Yeessss! Ive been waiting for you for 2000 years! Gahahahahahaha!]
W-What? I looked up. I felt my butt on the ground and I could see my students sweating profusely from all that pressure from before.
[What brazenness! What bravery! What stoicness in the face of indomitable power! Ooh, you remind too much of myself when I faced that archdemon of lust, pup! Gahahahahaha! Ahh, like staring at a younger !]
He really sounds like so yakuza boss at this point.
[But, let this be a lesson to you, Saori. The shadow world is not yours alone! It is the domain of the God of Darkness and every dark mage can enter it. But, if you face against a master of the shadows, then be prepared to witness the horrors looming in the abyss.]
I gulped. That was no threat. Sothing happened in the shadow world, but it was a total blank to right now. No matter how much I tried to rember, I couldnt.
[A taste of the powers I can bequeath unto you. What you may learn.] The statue shook and the four garm onnikais Hanazawa controlled created a purple, ghostly hand. [Accept my proposal. Beco my successor, get revenge on the person who dood our bloodline, beco a Champion even Edna would have never imagined, and beco the catalyst for the creation of a new race!]
Uno, Song, Sarasa, Quatre, Varya, Shere, Ajay, Shoyi; all the mbers of my shadow pack, minus Rajah as he was with Hestia, were imdiately ejected from my shadow, falling onto the ground. They imdiately got back on their feet, glaring and growling at Belzac, but the wolf only laughed.
[Gahahahaha! Your pack looks passable, but there is still so much more they can accomplish. The summit is yet so far!] Once his laughter stopped, his attention was back to . [I can show you the extent of our bloodline, Saori. We are more than just an S rank bloodline, we can and will reach the peak! Join , my descendant.]
No.
[Huh?!]
Sensei?!
Oi, what, Segawa?!
I surprised everybody with my answer, but it was all too obvious to .
I am not your pawn. Bloodline? I havent even accepted you as anything but a random dead wolf. I scowled, despite knowing what would happen if I were to get angry here. I am not your errand girl, Belzac. I am not here to do your bidding or get your revenge.
I stood up, lightning wrapped around my body.
I ca here to learn more about being a garm, but what am I looking at here? A dead wolf who built up a grudge for over two millennia. You arent that [Three-Eyed Fenrir] anymore, you are only another onnikai. Anger consus you, driving you forward with every step. I boldly announced. Maybe you can show how to master my abilities, but family? We are not. I will never accept you as anything but a stranger!
[]
A complete silence. I couldnt feel any hostility or malice coming from the statue, only awkwardness. Eventually, the quiet was broken by a single person clapping their hands. I snapped my head around, bewildered I couldnt detect them prior.
Itay. zac. A weird, indistinguishable accent filled my ears, only managing to pick up a few words there and there.
When they finally ca into the light, my eyes widened as their silhouette were revealed. Three people. All won.
They were the
A rumbling. Grruwwwwuik! Or sothing similar escaped my stomach. I was hungry.
[Ancestor told us these shadow cocoons are similar to an evolution cocoon. The mana would keep you from starving, but]
Ill be hungry when I wake up. Right. I need to account for how the System works.
My flashback stopped. My mories were there, all neatly placed in a neat row for to rember. Now I knew again how it all happened, but rembering any further was too much of a drag. I was starving.
Effects: [Starvation (Moderate)]
Ah, thats why I felt like I was withering away a bit. Good thing I have a high amount of Health to endure this.
Even with how I made it seem so non-threatening, the fact still stood that I was losing Health and with all the playing I did with my shadow pack, I had ignored the pain coming from my body. Thinking could wait for later. First, I needed to eat.
I pulled out a Health potion and drank it to recover my Health before taking out multiple dishes and also food for my garms. They werent hungry like , but it was still good for us to have a al together since it had been almost two weeks for them.
Itadakimasu. I clapped my hands together before cutting up a steak for myself, signaling my shadow pack to begin feasting, too. After I rembered how they rejected Belzac with , I felt our bond growing even tighter.
As a pretty large fenrir, I had to eat a lot to keep myself from going hungry, so when I was starving, I could probably challenge Hestias normal eating habits. Plates and bowls began to be emptied, all neatly piled up until there were three stacks of ten. My garms were already finished, but I still needed more.
After ten more servings, each which would have been enough to fill a single athlete from Earth, I let out a giant sigh and touched my bloated belly and fell to the ground. I could feel my head warming up from sha, embarrassed at how unladylike I was acting right now. I lanted how I should have gotten a bit drunk, just so I could ignore this unnerving feeling.
Whatever, not any different from stress eating.
Eating a lot to calm down my nerves after looking at my mothers dical bills, while the stress itself helped stay thin in a way. Balanced lifestyle. That dream honestly brought up so rather sad mories which I really would have liked to stay hidden. I loved my mother, but it really wasnt a pleasant ti, to say the least.
I then stood up, groaning a bit from the food moving in my belly, before going over to the wall of this black sphere. I covered my right arm with [Shadow Armant] and pulled a piece of it off, creating an opening for everybody to leave.
Once outside, I noticed I was still inside the cave where Belzacs soul was. I turned around, noticing the shadow ball was see-through from the outside. aning, my shadow pack outside of Shoyi I believed [Shadow Dash] inside once they saw awake. No wonder I hadnt noticed their presence until the very last mont.
Thanks for staying with all this ti, Shoyi. I caressed my little sli. Despite not spending as much ti with him and only using him as our companys trash and waste disposal, I could still feel a ton of affection coming from this little guy.
The little guy wobbled around in happiness, making feel even worse.
[Alpha] Once I was done thanking Shoyi, Song suddenly called for , pointing my attention forward to a translucent wolf around the size of my garms. She was sitting and was only eying .
How long has she been waiting there?
Without needing to say anything, my entire shadow pack quickly dived back into my shadow, knowing the ghost and I needed so private ti. Once they were gone, I walked up closer to the spirit-like garm and stood in front of her, not knowing what to say.
Until so words slipped out of my mouth. I did not expect the dream to end imdiately upon our eting.
[ Ancestor set the illusion up to test your ability to manipulate shadows, in addition to being able to discern it being a trick. You took longer than he expected, but] She paused, looking up and down. [So I took advantage of his disappointnt. I slipped myself into that mont. So I could]
She stopped talking again. Her telepathic voice was filled with pain.
So you could get to know . I get it. I nodded, still feeling awkward.
It was obvious enough to guess with how she worded her sentence. In other words, my dream ended the mont Belzac noticed I was free, and it coincidentally happened after I finished confessing my regrets to my fake mother. Well, it gave a chance to find closure with my mory of Mother, so I couldnt complain.
On the other hand, the garm before missed her chance.
You are my mother? I asked carefully.
She nodded.
Then, how are you here? Speaking with ? I saw your body. I saw Hestia burying you with
[The rest of our family, yes. Your father and your elder siblings. All fell on that day when they confronted the young reincarnator dragon. I, too, did, but I still managed to relay my last wishes to her. Seeing as you are alive and well, it seed she kept her promise to .] I felt happiness coming from her, but also a hint of regret.
Hestia had ntioned sothing about promising my garm mother to protect when we first t. I had to admit, I felt nothing when she told that.
Then, should you I stopped myself from finishing that sentence. It still felt hard for to accept that this was my mother in this world, but Hestia and lloxtressa ca into my mind as I saw the grief in her eyes.
Child and mother, separated only to be reunited a year later after the forr had grown up. A chance for a childhood, gone, never to be obtained. If I had continued speaking, I was sure my words would have cut even deeper than a blade. There was no need to tornt this poor mother of mine.
As such, I cald down as I ntally reevaluated how Hestia and lloxtressa dealt with their initial eting. Unlike Hestia, I could suppress my emotions, especially after I had that mont with my dream mother. If that illusion was this garms work, then I owed her at the very least to act reasonable.
How did you manage to remain here? To talk with ? I asked my question as calmly as possible.
And from the look of it, I didnt agitate her, so I called that a success. [In my last monts, I made a deal with our Ancestor, Belzac. He woke up when you were born, apparently. By surrendering my life, he told I could entrust you with that dragon whelp. In exchange, I wanted him to allow even a sliver of to et you once youve grown strong enough to beco Ancestors successor.]
Hestia did ntion that latter part when I ntioned wanting to et Belzac. That girl had forgotten the second part of the promise entirely, and only rembered it at the very last mont. Honestly!
My garm mother continued, [My actual soul has already t the Goddess of Death. This is only a part of it, a small rembrance so I could et you. I am bound here similar to the other fenrir onnikais Belzac has under his command. In other words]
Her translucent body began to shrink, condensing itself into a small creature, looking very similar to a lesser faefolk.
[I am an onnikai,] she stated before turning back to her previous form.
I was speechless.
A mother who loved her child so much, she would sacrifice her life to make sure her guardian was prepared to face any new dangers. She ignored the pain of her dying body and trained that guardian, giving her combat styles, strategies, and also managed to humble her. You could argue Tasianna was Hestias first teacher, but to be honest, it should have been this garm before .
And even after dying, a small part of her still wandered this place, waiting diligently for her child to return. She hid herself at first, and only appeared once she saw an opportunity. She created an illusion, where daughter and mother could talk. She gave that daughter a chance to speak and cry, despite those emotions being directed at another woman she considered mother, and all that while she remained patient and quiet, considerate of her daughters own inner turmoil.
It could feel her sincerity. I could now understand why Hestia talked so positively about my garm mother. I was conflicted on how to feel. This was my mother, but I still couldnt accept her as that. However, I felt extrely thankful to her for what she did.
I just didnt know what to say.
[ Co with , Saori. You are the first of your allies to break through the illusion,] she called for before beginning to move deeper into the tunnel.
I sighed deeply and followed behind her. My chance to say my thanks was gone. And this awkwardness between us continued as we walked. Sadly, my garm mother wasnt like lloxtressa. While the latter could take the lead to help Hestia warm up to their relationship, my mother and I were both too unsure how to bridge the gap.
And it wouldnt co any ti soon, since the mont we reached the end of this tunnel, a familiar face greeted .
Ooooh, there you are, Saori! Hoho, you sure took your ti in that dream. A beauty sleep to keep your cute face fresh and youthful, right? A blond woman with blood-red eyes walked up to . Her elven ears perked up as she smiled before taking a sip from her suspicious dark red drink.
Goddess Vivachel? Oh right, right. You and your sisters appeared.
The appearance of this elven goddess reminded of the three people who appeared during my argunt with Belzac Ilsaphone, Vivachel, and Kronnaz. I hadnt expected them to be there, but without them, I was sure my arguent with Belzac wouldnt have concluded in a peaceful manner. They were the ones who suggested to Belzac to train us, which prompted him to send us into those shadow cocoons for his trial.
Hrm, two weeks of staying inside that shadow world, with nothing but your own thoughts must have been trying for a healthy mind. Dont mind it, dont mind it. She wagged her finger, telling to sort my thoughts quickly and to get up to date. So, did you change your mind in any way? I bet that old wolf would appreciate a positive answer.
The answer is still a no. I was blunt. I still thought Belzacs request was annoying and felt too alienated to accept we were related.
The reason for the trial was to actually give ti to rethink Belzacs proposal, to accept my role as Ednas Champion and also to get revenge for his death. To essentially right what was wrong. However, I just ca back from one revenge Quest, and was not okay with another one. There was too much vengeance around , anyways.
Oh? Not even to my mothers proposal? Didnt you receive Mothers blessing? You wont accept the responsibility? Vivachel quizzed , looking more curious than offended.
As I told your older sister, I am not completely apprehensive of it, but with how Belzacs quest would beco my third Divine Quest if I accepted, I cannot take on such a role with those prerequisite.
Well, still, understandable. However, once you pass the trials here, it will beco hard for you to develop your Unique Job without more aid from Belzac. He is the origin of your bloodline, after all, and you should have tasted his power already.
Divine Quest: Pass Belzacs Trials and Training
Quest Giver: Goddess of Death and Necromancy, Ilsaphone
Description: Just pass Belzacs training.
Reward: Unique Job Unlock
It was an incredibly simple Quest, but its reward was also not the most impressive. Unlocking the ability to get a Unique Job was nice, but it didnt an I could earn one imdiately. That was the problem, and why I considered the rewards appropriate.
Considering what Vivachel said, I had to agree that learning more from Belzac could help . To create his trial, he created not only an illusion which I thought was real for a ti, but inside this place, it had an almost dream-like reality to it. Seeing as how a projection of my recovered mother appeared.
Of course, there could be more Belzac could teach , but I wasnt so sure if it was worth agreeing to his incredibly selfish request. Tasianna was a friend, Belzac was just a stranger. Doing all these revenge jobs was getting rather annoying.
[Please, consider it,] my garm mother implored to, but I could only stay silent. It didnt feel right to refute it again.
Now, now, Saori. Good daughters take care of their mothers, right? Vivachel tapped softly on my shoulder, before tracing her finger along my jaw, nudging to look her straight into her eyes. And since I am a good daughter, I have to make sure my mother gets what she wants.
It imdiately felt like my consciousness was sinking right into her ruby glare. I was unable to speak back as I could feel my ntal protection skills were doing their best to drag out of it, but it was all futile. I was entranced, drawn in deeper and deeper
Until I was released.
I jest! Hohohoho! Vivachel laughed out of glee as I flinched backward, feeling cold sweat forming along my forehead. As I tried to control my breathing and beating heart, the vampire goddess produced a blood fan from the red liquid inside her glass before gesturing with her finger for to follow. Co, co, little bloodling. You want to see your students, no?
Jeez why do I always get tangled with these weird people?
Still, I did as she wanted to, and what I saw in the next cavern sent another chill down my spine. I wasnt hallucinating when I saw the three Night Sisters, and I sure hoped my eyes werent lying to right now, as I could see both Ilsaphone and Kronnaz sitting inside two individual black spheres.
Vivachel told to look inside, so I did. In the first, I saw Kronnaz ditating in front of Tatsuyas and Kyouyas sleeping bodies. Vivachel then asked if I was curious what the two were dreaming of, but before I could reject that idea, Vivachel smirked gleefully and began sending thoughts.
There, I saw Tatsuya biting his nails short in school, anxiously waiting for his parents to co back from court. Apparently, his mother was sued by Yoichiro Akabane, Japans most notorious persecutor and the father of Franz Akabane, one of my best students.
Sothing had happened when Mister Akabane visited Tatsuyas mothers coffee shop, and this altercation led to the forr suing the latter for damage. Since it was a civil proceeding, Akabane couldnt exactly present himself, but from Tatsuyas mories, his parents told him how Akabane literally controlled his lawyer to do his bidding.
Tatsuyas father was a CEO of a rather successful international trading company, and he told Tatsuya Akabane instigated this situation with his wife to sabotage him. In the end, Akabane won the trial and almost caused the coffee shop to be closed. At the end of the day, this drama didnt ruin Tatsuyas father, but it still gave him so bad press he needed to answer to the board mbers.
Is this why Tatsuya hated Franz so much? Because of this? I questioned, now realizing how much it made sense.
When I was still their teacher, those two were the worst student partner pairs. Their anti-synergy was so problematic that it made the usually honor student Franz get a failing grade during one of the partner projects. I learned from that mont, if I wanted my students to pass, I could never, ever pair them together. My paycheck rested on that fact.
Back to the topic at hand, Tatsuyas dream then looped again, and he found himself right at the beginning, learning of the trial, and then witnessing his parents arguing with each other about what to do about it. With every new loop, Tatsuya would try sothing to make sure his parents won, whether it was to use his Peolyncian power or sothing else, but it would all still end in failure.
It was disheartening to watch, so I turned over to Kyouyas. Unfortunately for , while his dream was simpler, it wasnt anywhere easier to digest.
Body shaming. When I first t Kyouya, he was already a fit, athletic young man, but from the dream, I saw him struggling with his weight as a young boy and in his early teens. He would be ridiculed not only by his schoolmates but also from his cousins, all driving ho how he was sweaty, ugly, and dumb.
The poor boy was driven into a corner by the public sha, forgoing eating for entire days to diet, only to fall into his craving the next day and eat so much it made the previous day a waste. Eventually, his father forced him into a gym, telling him if you want to change, do it here! A professional trainer was hired, and while Kyouya had his misgivings at the start, eventually ward up to it. Not only did he lose weight but also gained muscles, eventually turning him into the person he was now.
However, from the looks of it, he was going through so internal problems concerning his body after being transported into this new world. How compared to people like Hestia, Yorshka, and Muraina, he was insignificant compared to them, and how his own Unique skill could never asure to the strength he wanted. He was glad Hestia removed the skill through her usurper rights, but was now unsure how to progress for the future.
Just like when he was still overweight, he needs sobody to guide him in the correct direction. Hes unsure where his future will go.
And my thoughts were proven correct when the reason why Kyouya couldnt break out of his dream was the fact he was theorycrafting what the best way forward was. Was it to ask Yorshka for more tips or should he ask one of King Drangleics knights? Should he learn magic from Hestia and lloxtressa, or should he learn from Grimnir to beco a craftsman. He wasnt sure.
Dont think about breaking them out. Vivachel suddenly stopped sending thoughts and drew back to reality.
I was not planning to, I scoffed at the mischievous vampire queen, earning a hearty laugh from her. I was about to say, I did not want to see their thoughts. You act too hastily.
I already had a feeling this goddess was an extrely playful one from our eting in the dungeon where the real Parilostro Resclave was located. Now that I was speaking with her, I was now 100% sure of it.
Ignoring her, I turned around to Hanazawa, where I noticed sothing different compared to the boys. Instead of sleeping on the ground, she was ditating right in front of an analyzing Ilsaphone. The ying-yang mana symbols from her Unique skill [Twilight Paladin] were floating right in front of her.
Hmm? I tilted my head, prompting Vivachel to answer.
Just like you, Asaka already has a patron god. Both of you have a clear path forward, when it cos to training and improvent of your skills. On the other hand, the two boys are still in a limbo. Thats why Kroza wanted to help them, since they needed the guidance of a true warrior more than a mage. She pointed at Ilsaphone and herself. Elsa is Asakas patron goddess, and you already have mother, and Belzac, really.
[The first trial is tailored towards each person,] my garm mother added. [You went through a forest because the Ancestor wanted to learn about your mind and your control over shadows. The male pups have an issue since they do not have a strong, profound reason to fight for the future, so they must analyze their past. The girl likewise had no real goal and is probably going through the sa process, but in her case, she has the Goddess of Death impeding and directly challenging her ideals and convictions.]
Vivachel nodded. The reason why you are out first is that your trial didnt ask for your psychological profile. Belzac only wants you for your strength. Asaka probably will be the second to co out, I guess, since she has my sister directly guiding her. But, who knows?]
Considering Hanazawas troubled past with her abusive and neglectful parents, and the death of her brother, I would believe she would have more problems. Unlike Tatsuya and Kyouya, I asked sobody about Hanazawas background. In this case, Haruka, her current best friend, so I could understand the mind of that girl.
Hope it works out.
I sighed and hoped my forr students would do well, before turning my head over to Vivachel. I have a question. Why are the three of you helping us out with our growth? And why arent you helping any of them?
My dear, we gods can do whatever we like. She smiled arrogantly. Kroza took an interest in the boys, while Elsa is trying to groom Asaka. On the other hand, why am I not helping out? Because I have no fancy for any of you. If I am to train a mortal, it must be a blessed of mine, at least.
So, the other two are nice, while you arent? Is that what you Hold on.
At the ntion of mortals, I suddenly realized sothing I hadnt thought of before. Sothing that shouldnt be possible without Hestia or a translator like KleaHatma around.
I raised my hand, stopping Vivachel from continuing. Hold on, why am I hearing you correctly?! This shouldnt be possible!
And a wide grin ford on her face, before she spoke with a completely different voice. The sa one I heard from Belzac! It took you a bit, but my ability to imitate people never wavered after all these years. Co, its ti to talk face-to-face again.
She folded her blood fan shut before her form started to waver and turn completely black, like a shadow. While waving her hand, this being slowly lted into the ground and began to move. I followed it out of the cavern, chasing after the rapidly speeding target, only to end up in another room where another Vivachel showed up, waving at .
Hestia? She asked in that weird-sounding accent gods usually had when they spoke.
She then shrugged and shook her head, before forming a cross in front of her mouth. She then pointed at her ears before doing the sa with mine. Was she gesturing how I couldnt hear her?
With how confused I was, it made it hard to understand what was actually going on. Vivachel laughed, hiding her grin with her fan, before pointing at the statue behind her Belzacs skeletal remains.
[How was it, Saori? Was it not perfect?] Belzacs deep voice growled in my mind.
W-What?!
[Look.] The shadow underneath his skeleton squird before it started to move by itself, forming what looked like a female. Only, it wasnt just any female, it was .
Huh?! I flinched from seeing myself. The shadow waved at and spoke in my voice before lting back into the shadow. T-That was not a normal [Shadow Clones]. It is not possible to make a copy of anybody else but yourself with that spell!
[Correct, but I was able to mimic Goddess Vivachel and also make a copy of you. The only way you realized it wasnt the real Vivachel was that you could hear her properly,] he explained. [Saori, there is more than just simple shadow manipulation, black electricity, and so beasts you managed to ta when it cos to my bloodline. I can show you why they called the Harbinger of Grim and why it took two armies to defeat . I can show you]
I heard the wind. I turned around to see my garm mother passing through the tunnel entrance, too slow compared to even my wolfkin form.
[ your true family.]
Family? Thats right, that is why I ca here. The whole self-reflection and closure part was just the icing on top, right?
There was a reason why I didnt follow either Hestia or Grimnir in their objectives. I ca here because of Belzac. Right, I had to keep this in mind. It didnt matter how I achieved it, but the goal of this trip was to learn from Belzac about my bloodline and to beco stronger. That was the only thing I needed to think about.
Similar to how I compromised with a teachers position instead of following my dream of becoming a historian, sotis, it would be better for everyone and myself to endure so pain. To live, was to struggle. My ti on Earth had taught that in abundance.
Okaa-san. Otou-san. My family. Hestia. Tasianna. Ellaine. Grimnir. The Aurora is my new family. I lost the forr, so I must do my best for the latter now. I gripped my red scarf, made entirely from Hestias fire mana.
I lost one family, but gained a new one in the form of Aurora. There was no reason for to keep rejecting my fenrir bloodline. I lost my first mother with my death, but there was now a chance for to make a new one. Every mother deserved a chance to love their child
Whats another family? The more the rrier, right?
However, what use is it to have so many people caring for you, if you cannot defend them? For Hestias Quest, strength and cunning was extrely important. Hestia represented that strength, while I am her shadow.
From my experience in Gleisvale, I started to rember why my father beca a firefighter in the first place it was to make sure fires wouldnt take a persons life. He always impressed with his tales of being a hero, and I always focused on the heroics instead of how he felt about them.
He loved saving people, he loved to see others smile after an inferno. I couldnt speak with him, but I was starting to understand him better after what I did in the slave auction and my ti in that illusion. He went into the fire disregarding anything outside of the situation, only being able to think about the family stuck inside the aflamd building. He died, but he managed to save them. A family existed because he was there.
It broke ours in return, and I couldnt forgive him for that. It gnawed at . I didnt want to beco like him, but I guess my ti in Peolynca had exposed that part of him in . His stories affected . Seeing Hestia being a hero inspired . The personality I developed as a teacher, as an adult, was being pushed back, whilst my idealist side ca forward.
However, that wasnt what I wanted.
Now I get it.
I had to embrace both sides of myself. My pragmatic, rational side with my brave, heroic one. Hestia could be reckless because she ias that strong, but I didnt need to emulate her. I had my own distinct fighting style, and becoming a [Young Stygian-Scaled Fenrir] shouldnt change that. I gained more power from my evolution, but I couldnt forget about my roots. Yes, what made this strong in the first place.
The dark elent was a flexible one, filled with more trickery than power. I had to rember what Hestia told in the past. I think I am the problem, she told concerning what was holding back. At this point, I could completely say, I disagreed.
imitating Hestia wasnt her fault, it was mine. Even back when I was a teacher, all I did was follow my senpais and constructed a personality to fit Shiroko High School. To make them feel I was a part of them. Even with my own dagger mastery, I hadnt innovated on it as much as I did my shadow mastery. All my techniques ca from my ti with the saurians, when they trained .
However, dark magic was fluid. It had a tool for every situation, you could say. [Smokey Haze] was the perfect example for a spell with a multi-facet of usages. To beco stronger, I couldnt be reckless and rely on my strength alone, I had to be cunning. I needed to understand the true nature of the shadow world.
And for that, I needed good ntors. Teachers who looked at the abyss and ca out of it unscarred. I needed
Now that I think about it, my ti inside that dream did make reconsider things. I turned my attention back to Belzac.
him.
[ Your eyes. That red mist. Arent you eager, my descendant?]
Speaking with Mother gave the ti and chance I needed to look back at my life and how I grew. The current , you could say, was similar to my Earthen life as I was willing to do whatever was needed to survive. Even if I considered my students good friends, my primary reason to beco an amazing teacher was for the money. Intentions mattered to .
So, what did it matter what Belzacs goal was? How he ended up in this cave was not my problem and I could care less about it. However, this was the obstacle for to get that paycheck. That trove of knowledge to exceed my current limitations. I wanted it so badly.
Travel the world My deal with Hestia. Right, how could I drag her around the world if I keep being so stubborn? Im already dealing with criminals and underworld scum, after all, ahahahaha!
I need to beco stronger. More than I currently am. Can you help with that?
[Of course.]
Will you help my shadow pack beco the most frightening force there is?
[Of course!]
I smacked my chest, holding my hand over my heart as I stated my last demand. I want the ability to protect my pack and family. I require it! The power of the shadow world to defend and attack. Will you make a fenrir who will even surpass the notorious [Three-Eyed Fenrir]?
[]
The shadow underneath his statue moved once again, but this ti, instead of transforming itself into a woman, it morphed and grew ever so large. Fur and claws appeared as the shadow transford itself into a wolf, peering down at like a giant. Its humongous body was too huge for the cavern, denting it and expanding it to fit its size.
Its black eyes glared at with a third one sprouting on its forehead. [The abyss calls, and as its ambassador, you will answer. As the harbinger, I shall pave your way forward. The secrets of the void, the domain of the God of Darkness. You will beco my successor, and the inheritor of my techniques. You will beco the legend I couldnt be.]
Slashes and bites werent the only things we wolves did well. We could howl really well.
Then lets talk. I took a breather, steeling myself for the path forward.
He wanted to kill sobody? Well, let us just say there was enough ti to talk this out. Play it smart. I just needed to use my current position and his impatience to my advantage. Better use Gaels and Murainas training to its fullest now.
Sorry, Hestia. It will probably take a while until we et again. But until then I turned my head back to my garm mother.
Its ti to get used to my estranged family.
A note from AbyssRaven
Saori and her garm family. The pack about to grow?
If you guys want to support , Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!
For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters for the whole month! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give ! Please.
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