Land of the Fae
Faerie Kingdom
Jin Skyward
The woman that appeared in front of us was the famed lady of the Land of Shadows, the Witch of Dún Scáith…why is she here?
"Scathach?"
"Oh? Is the famous Middleman familiar with me? I'm flattered."
She showed a fearsome smile as she walked up to us. Spriggan didn't move from his spot, he felt nervous, the aura she was exuding was quite powerful and intimidating. She reached us as she stood there, arms crossed and locking eyes with me.
I stared back at her, without blinking. I felt Valerie hold onto my arm; the room felt tense— You could hear a pin drop… If one did fall.
Hold on, Jin. This isn't the world of Fate, it's not the Nasuverse… The rules here don't work like over there… What is Scathach here? I check… So, she's a Goddess, of what? The dead? Warriors?
"I like that look in your eyes, young Red Dragon Emperor. You're quite intriguing as the rumors have said…"
Rumors? What rumors? The ones about Thor? But that isn't even a rumor at this point, just fact.
"The one with Thor? That isn't a rumor, it's a fact."
She kept her smile but shook her head.
"No, the one with manifesting the [Welsh Dragon] into the world."
Ah, yeah, I guess I did, huh?
[We both can just come out whenever we want though, so that was a short live hype.]
"Right, that."
"So, it's true?"
I shrug as an amused smirk replaces her smile.
"Scathach, what have you come here for? It's not just to see little ol' us, is it?"
Oberon put down the documents and pranced around the Goddess, she didn't break eye contact with me at all.
"The majority of the supernatural world has heard of the treaty being signed by the three powers, Devils, Fallen Angels, and Angels, this man was rumored to be born from this country, I was on the lookout outside the barrier to the Faerie Kingdom."
So, she felt Valerie and I come here? I doubt she felt my aura, energy, or mana… Is it just experience? And instinct built up over many years? That's quite something.
[A skilled warrior like her, it's not impossible. She should be around two thousand plus years old; she has used that time to hone herself in 'that' place and before moving there. She did train the famed Cú Chulainn after all.]
"So, you felt us outside it? Why didn't you confront us earlier?"
"To let you do your negotiations, have the treaty signed. I did not come here with evil intentions, Red Dragon Emperor."
She didn't lie, that much I can tell. She can't possibly be here to… Fight me? I mean, that's the only other reason.
"Then why?"
"You already know that many Gods and beings from different mythologies are intrigued by you. They want to know your reasons for wanting peace— Though there are rumors of you just wanting to form a harem."
"Also, they want to know if your rumored feats are true. Besting the God of Thunder Thor, defeating beings as old as Kokabiel and Azrael, and summoning the [Welsh Dragon] into the world."
Scathach fixes her pose and looks at Valerie. She— Didn't waver as she also stared back at the Goddess in confidence, which made her smile even more.
"I, like many other Gods of this country, am also interested in them. If you have the time to spar, no, I will request a duel with you. To name a few, The beings of Giants Causeway and the Tuatha Dé Danann, the inhabitants of Tir na nOg, and Áine of Knockaine, they wish to meet you."
That's quite a lineup, that many are interested in meeting me? I'm quite excited, I've heard many things from them in Irish-Celtic folklore. Whether they are true or fake remains to be seen.
Áine of Knockaine is an Irish Goddess of summer, wealth, and sovereignty. She is associated with midsummer and the sun and is sometimes represented by a red mare. As the goddess of love and fertility, she has command over crops and animals and is also associated with agriculture.
I wonder if she has anything to do with Lugh? He's part of the Tuatha Dé Danann and a fellow God. Speaking of Tuatha Dé Danann, some of their notable beings there are Nuada Airgetlám, The Dagda, and Lugh. Further tales exist, but their history is mostly unknown or contradicts what has been told in folklore.
There is one more, that's shrouded in mystery, the Goddess Danu.
What we do know is that Danu is the most ancient of the many Celtic Gods. It's thought that she may have represented the earth and its fruitfulness.
The Tuath Dé Danann, meaning 'The Folk of the Goddess Danu', is also known by the earlier name Tuath Dé 'Tribe of the Gods'.
In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu, known by the epithet Airgetlám, Airgeadlámh, meaning 'Silver hand/arm', was the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is also called Nechtan, Nuadu Necht and Elcmar, and is the husband of Boann.
He is mostly known from the tale in which he loses his arm or hand in battle, and thus his kingship. However, he regains it after being magically healed by Dian Cécht.
However, those are just myths, I am unsure if he truly did lose his arms in battle if I get a chance to meet him. I will ask him.
Dian Cécht; also known as Cainte or Canta was the God of Healing, the healer for the Tuatha Dé Danann.
The Dagda is an influential God in Irish mythology. One of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Dagda is portrayed as a father figure and druid.
He is associated with fertility, agriculture, manliness, and strength, as well as magic, Druidry, and wisdom. He can control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons.
He is often described as a large bearded man or giant wearing a hooded cloak. He owns a magic staff, club, or mace, the Lorg Mór or Lorg Anfaid, of dual nature: it kills with one end and brings to life with the other.
He also owns a cauldron, the Coire Ansic, which never runs empty, and a magic harp, Uaithne, which can control men's emotions and change the seasons.
In the Draconic Deus, Lugh is considered the God of the Sun in Irish mythology, and he is also regarded as one of the world's ten strongest beings.
But in my old world's mythos, Lugh is portrayed as a warrior, a king, a master craftsman, and a savior. He is associated with skill and mastery in multiple disciplines, including the arts.
Lugh also has associations with oaths, truth, and the law, and therefore with rightful kingship. Lugh is linked with the harvest festival of Lughnasadh, which bears his name.
Lugh was also the one who killed Evil God Balor. Balor was the Evil God of Irish-Celtic Mythology with the Evil Eyes that were able to control the strongest Evil Dragon, Crom Cruach, the Crescent Circle Dragon.
Balor was killed by the God Lugh, while a fraction of his consciousness resides within Gasper Vladi's Sacred Gear [Forbidden Balor View].
In the Tuatha Dé Danann, there are items or weapons that are the equivalent to the Holy Swords and such. These are known as the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Stone of Fál (Lia Fáil), Spear (Sleg) of Lugh, Sword of Light (Claideb/Claiomh Solais) which belonged to Núada, and finally the Cauldron (Coire) of the Dagda.
Tír na nÓg, truthfully, I don't know much about it. There is one popular children's story that is told a lot in Primary school.
In the tale, Oisín a human hero, and Niamh, a woman of the Otherworld fall in love. She brings him to Tír na nÓg on a magical horse that can travel over water.
After spending what seems to be three years there, Oisín becomes homesick and wants to return to Ireland. Niamh reluctantly lets him return on the magical horse, but warns him never to touch the ground.
When he returns, he finds that 300 years have passed in Ireland. Oisín falls from the horse trying to help someone. He instantly becomes elderly, as the years catch up with him, and succumbs to the effects of old age.
There were talks, theories and rumors that, Tír na nÓg is mostly populated by females, so that's why they go to Ireland or the outside world to find a man to bring back and repopulate, as how it's only women? Maybe they only give birth to them?
Since I always thought of it as a fairy tale, I'm quite curious about it too. However, Tír na nÓg and Tuatha Dé Danann are sometimes considered synonymous. Maybe it changed because it's in this world? Much like how Devils and Fallen Angels are considered the same thing in my old world…
"It seems you're quite interested in meeting them too, Red Dragon Emperor."
"I've heard many of you in folklore, fairy tales, and from just reading books. When I found out the supernatural was real, yes, I got quite excited. Now I'm finally able to meet some of them? It's only a natural response."
I come back to reality as everyone was just staring at me. How long was I out of it?
[Seven minutes.]
Thanks, Cúntó-Ddraig.
[I am the new system now.]
Cúntóir: Answer: Burn.
[Bur?— Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! My tail! Why always the damn tail?!?!? Come here you harlot!]
Cúntóir: Answer: I'll play with you, [Welsh Dragon].
Dooooon!!! Boooooom!!
{They started fighting…}
'And I thought Cúntóir was level-headed, it seems the both of you— No, perhaps all of us are influencing her.'
Please don't say that Rudra, if Cúntóir turns yandere or something…that would be a problem.
"Is that so? Then finish here, we will leave."
"Wait, today?"
She answers me with a nod, she then leans on the wall beside the plant elevator and closes her eyes.
I turn back to the two rulers and they give me strained smiles.
"Well, it may be of haste, but we both knew we would join this alliance, so I see no problems signing this now."
"Yes, it may be quick, but I as the Queen of this land will sign this treaty with Oberon."
Oberon nods and walks back to the table I summoned. Having signed the document, he gives it to Titania, who reviews it again and signs it. Finally, I summon a pen to certify it. With this, the Faerie Kingdom, ruled by Titania and Oberon, officially joins the alliance with the Three Great Powers.
"Hmm-hmm ~ we're done ~ time for some angel escor—"
Smack!
"Ow! I was just joking Titania— Ow ow! I'm sorry! Please stop hit—ow!!!"
The King tried to joke about having angel escorts and was being smacked by the Queen. If he knew his wife would react this way, why would you say it? Is…is he a masochist?
"Jin-kun! Don't look at me like that! I am not an M!!!!"
I guess my face and expression was too obvious…
"We'll get things rolling then, I'll inform the Three Great Powers when I'm done with my business in Ireland."
Titania gave a nod as Oberon was still being relentlessly hit, Spriggan was standing there with no change in expression, so, this was normal. I hold Valerie's hand as we walk over to Scathach.
"Alright, where to first?"
She opens her eyes, look at Valerie and I— At our hands and nods.
"Tír na nÓg, the Queen wants to meet you."
"Queen? Does the Tuatha Dé Danann reside in Tír na nÓg? Or are these two different groups?"
In normal mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann dwell there as well as the inhabitants of Tír na nÓg, but that also contradicts the 'Only Women live there' theory/rumor.
"No, unlike what human tales and folklore have said, only women reside in Tír na nÓg, while the Tuatha Dé Danann reside in what's called 'Titeann Tír na bhFlaitheas' or 'Land of Heaven falls', one rumor that is true, you may have heard of it—"
"Oisín na Tír na nÓg, females of Tír na nÓg find men in the human realm to come back there and produce an heir? Sounds like a one man with a lot of women— The infinite harem…"
[Infinite harem… Damn Irish supernatural beings are hardcore.]
{What happens to those men then? If Tír na nÓg is known for a land where you remain young with no illnesses and never grow old…}
[Yeah, what happens to the previous men that were brought there?]
Both of them have a point. What happened to them? Why the need to populate or re-populate if no one dies of old age? It's possible that supernatural beasts or creatures get through the barrier and attack them?
"If they do take men and bring them back, why do they need more than one? Unless they die for some unknown cause, or if the other women simply want another male to fall in love and marry."
"I think it would be better to hear from the Queen now that that land is on high alert, a state of emergency if you will. Something is killing the men they bring there."
Something… Killing them? Balor is dead, I mean there are a number of beings in folklore but— No specific one comes to mind, I guess… Kelpie?
A kelpie, or water kelpie, is a shape-shifting spirit inhabiting lochs in Scottish folklore. It is usually described as a black horse-like creature, able to adopt human form. Some accounts state that the kelpie retains its hooves when appearing as a human.
But why would they be near there? Wait, where is Tír na nÓg located at? I know it's West somewhere… The opposite side of the United Kingdom.
"Where is Tír na nÓg located at?"
"West of Ireland by the Cliffs of Moher."
Cliffs of Moher? Aren't there more myths and legends surrounding that place?
An old legend of County Clare tells of an ancient town that was swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean. It is said the sea opened up where the town of Kilstiffen stood. It has been called by many names including Cill Stuifin, Kilstpheen, Kilstuitheen, Cill Stuithin, and Cill Stuifin.
The city sank underwater when the local chieftain lost the golden key to the gates of the city during a battle. Legend has it that the town will remain underwater until the key is found and returned.
For now, you have to wonder about this lost city while standing at the top of the cliffs. Look to the south and see if the ocean water shimmers to reveal the location of this lost city.
And the other legend is about Cú Chulainn. The legend of the hag and Cú Chulainn.
Legend has it that a woman named Mal fell in love with Cú Chulainn, the legendary member of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster. To her dismay, he did not return her love so she chased him around the island of Ireland, refusing to be denied.
Cú Chulainn ended up south of the Cliffs of Moher and leaped to the island known as Diarmuid and Gráinne's Rock.
Mal attempted to leap after Cú Chulainn and was assisted by a gust of wind. Cú Chulainn leaped back in the opposite direction. When Mal tried to follow him, she crashed into the side of the rocks without the wind's assistance.
Her anger boiled red and the indent of her body hitting the rocks at Hag's Head can be seen to this day. It is hypothesized this is why we have the town of Miltown Malbay.
"….Isn't Cú Chulainn involved in one of its legends?"
"Hahaha!"
Scathach let out a hearty laugh, I wasn't expecting that.
"Yes, he was once chased by a woman many years ago, she was quite persistent. However, unlike what rumors and legends say, young Cú Chulainn fell and stayed by her side until the day she passed. I am unaware if they had children."
Quite surprising, I did not expect that either, nor did she receive an extension on her life? Or become immortal? She was a normal human? Maybe she wanted to live and die human, regardless of who she fell in love with…
"We shall talk more there, let us depart."
Why is Scathach acting as a messenger for them? Did they form their own 'alliance' of some sort? If so, that will make this easier…
We enter the throne room by using the plant elevator again. Once done we start walking through the streets of the kingdom again, this time, with a bit of nervousness from the residents. There was a bit of nervousness among them— Almost intimidated by the Goddess we were with.
"Each of those groups I mentioned before, they have their own small problems—"
"You do know, I'll help once we form an alliance, not the other way around…"
I interrupt her, yes, I handled it that way with the three factions. Azazel and Sirzechs were already thinking of forming one, I just brought Heaven into it earlier, which also made it a bit easier for them. Unlike the Vampire Alliance, they initially wanted their problem fixed before signing it.
"I am aware, they have formed their own alliance, it is called 'An Comhaontas Gaelach' or 'The Gaelic Alliance' each side has a representative— A leader of sorts. The Tuatha Dé Danann appointed Lugh, considered to be among the Top Ten strongest beings in our world, for Tír na nÓg, it is their Queen."
"Áine does not belong to a faction, however, she does want to be in this alliance. You shall meet her soon. As for the beings of the Giants Causeway? Well, let's keep that a secret, shall we?"
"The one who proposed this treaty, the one who saw all these happenings in the supernatural part of Ireland is the Goddess Danu. She is the head, even I respect her."
The Goddess Danu… Huh, even Scathach respects her? I wonder what kind of God she is?
"I will not spoil her personality. Meet her and you will understand."
"Isn't or wasn't she originally part of the Tuatha Dé Danann? Or started it?"
She nods.
"Yes, she created that band of… Gods, eons ago. They grew, created their own space to live in, then she left. She did not give a reason as to why, she simply left. After that, Nuada Airgetlám has ruled as King since."
"Of course, it's all in title, they— As a whole group, with the more powerful, are the ones who maintain and create the rules of their world."
Like the Irish government. Ireland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Oireachtas is the bicameral national parliament composed of the President of Ireland and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (Senate).
The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the president does exercise certain limited powers with absolute discretion. The president acts as a representative of the Irish state and guardian of the constitution. The president's official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
"I see."
We finally reach the entrance; I turn back to the spirit guards and nod at them.
"I'll get going then."
"Yes! Goodbye for now, Jin-sama!"
The two bid me farewell as we all stepped through the barrier.
…
Ireland, Cavan
Derrycarne woods
"So, Tír na nÓg first, then where?"
"Tír na nÓg, Áine of Knockaine, Giants Causeway, and finally Tuatha Dé Danann."
"And yourself?"
"I will be the last stop because I requested a duel earlier."
"Very well."
Even if I refuse now, she will be quite persistent in the future. Scathach summoned her a spear, the Gae Bolg Alternative: Soaring Spear of Piercing Death. She spun it around before gently tapping the ground.
A rune circle appears from the ground, it glows dark purple. She then steps forward onto it.
"Come, this will bring us to the Cliffs of Moher."
Valerie and I nod as we step into the rune circle. Once we did, we all vanished.
…
West of Ireland
Country Clare
Cliffs of Moher
"…."
The winds here are strong, and the day was also slowly coming to a close. I didn't think I stayed that long in the Faerie Kingdom. But from seeing the sun, I would guess it was around 4 p.m.
Despite the summer temperatures and lack of life around us, I'm more surprised to not see any locals or tourists here, either in or out of the country. The Cliffs of Moher are a popular tourist destination after all, with the view of the Atlantic Ocean, on a good sunny day— It's quite breathtaking.
"Did you do something to make normal people avoid this place?"
I turn to Scathach, who is also standing there with her eyes closed. In most places I've been to, whether I teleported or got there some other way, there were signs of life, whether it be from humans or normal animals.
But… There was none of that here, why? I focus in and… There was something— A feeling, an oddity around the Cliffs of Moher right now. Does this have to do with what's happening in Tír na nÓg?
"It's become stronger, the area has been sealed off from normal humans. An individual does not have to be part of the supernatural or have 'that feeling' to avoid certain places. That 'gut' feeling we have."
"Does it have something to do with the problem with Tír na nÓg?"
"I do not know, however, that doesn't seem like an unlikely theory."
Scathach denied knowing…. I did not feel her lie, so she really doesn't know. My best guess is that she mostly stays in her realm, the Land of Shadows. Why did she leave? Is her respect for the Goddess Danu that high, that she came out? If that's the case, I'm even more interested.
"I see, where to next them? To the edge of the cliff?"
I could feel something below them, Scathach nodded. She walked ahead of us, Valerie let go of my hand, and adopted a serious and alert expression. She's ready for anything.
Shiiiing!!
"?!"
Scathach turned around, quickly summoning her spear and pointing it at me. The sound came from my necklace…it was Ophis, she was coming out. Scathach noticed and calmed down immediately. She had no idea what it was but may have given me a certain degree of trust.
After the brief glow, out came the Dragon God of Infinity. Once she was out, she held my hand and stared at Scathach, the Goddess also did the same, but quickly looked at me with… A very accusatory look.
"….This is Ophis, the famous Dragon God of Infinity."
"Hooo? So, this is the current form of the Ouroboros Dragon? It's been a very long time since I last saw her."
"Spear woman, I, met her a very long time ago. Powerful, it has been some time."
"I'm flattered that the Ouroboros Dragon remembers me."
It seems they know each other; I wonder when they met? Scathach sees my questioning gaze and continues.
"We met by chance, on my very few visits to the mortal realm, I came across 'her' though at the time she was a 'he', an old man. Long story short, we had a brief encounter, we did not fight though I wish to test myself against her... But she feels even stronger than before."
She has now reached Universal rank, just like Irene. Ophis didn't respond, but as she looked past Scathach at the view, she had a glint of… Something. Curiosity? Appreciation? Wonder? Awe?
"I see, anyway, let's get going then. If they're in an alliance then, getting this done to get all of you to join will be quick and beneficial."
She said nothing more as we made our way to the edge of the cliff. We looked down, and… Well, it was a straight drop-down. Waves crashed into the cliff with quite a bit of power. At a glance, there's nothing down there, but… If you have powers— Energy, mana, demonic power, and whatever else… You can feel something down there.
While it's quite faint from up here— It's there. Anyone with knowledge can probably use it.
"We jump down then."
"…Eh? I-I do feel something down there… But we have to jump? Can't we… Float or fly down?"
Valerie was a bit startled as she asked me to use other options…
"...…."
I look at her, then Ophis, and finally Scathach. She grinned at me, and I nodded in agreement. I turn back to Valerie… She was mortified.
"Ophis."
"Mmm."
She grunted in response as she jumped onto my back and bear-hugged me. I quickly grabbed Valerie and had no intention of letting her go.
"No! Wait Jin! ple— Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—"
I jumped, followed by Scathach, all four of us quickly plummeted down the cliffs, the winds becoming stronger and wild, the smell of the ocean— The sea was getting stronger, the water from the waves crashing into the cliffs were starting to get on us as we descended further.
"Jin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you!!!! I don't want to die!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
A confession here? Valerie… You're a Dragon God-class being… You could jump down from there and create a worldwide earth quak—
Bonk!
"I'm not fat!"
...…..I'm not even going to question that at this point.
Fwhhhhhiiiinnnggg!! Bon! Bon!
Something appeared beneath us and we landed on them…it was soft, almost like…cotton? I looked below me and it was white in color and fluffy. What are these?
"Interesting, to use these as some sort of landing pad, very peculiar of those women."
Another building appeared, it had… Horses in it? Are we meant to use these to cross the sea and cross into the world of Tír na nÓg? They're really playing the fairy tale as fact…
"So we use those? I feel like Oisín right now, whatever, let's get going. We may be spending the rest of the night here."
"Next few days."
Scathach corrected me as I stared at her curiously. However, she didn't give me an answer but she just shook her head. So I have to wait till I speak with the Queen? Whatever…
We made our way to the horses. They were pure white in color, majestic in a sense, they bowed at us, they stepped down on appearing platforms all the way down to the water. There were two horses.
I will be with Valerie on one. Ophis did not seem like she would be leaving me, but she did make her way to the front, so she was hugging me. I got on the horse as Valerie hugged me from behind. Scathach was already on hers.
The sea path glowed, yellow-blue-ish in color, on both sides, just like the lights on runways. It didn't seem to bend or change direction, following a straight line. Without us uttering a single word, the horses started to run. They did float on water.
Their speed slowly increased as we were traveling quite fast. It was around the speed of 920 kph/572 mph, two times faster than the fastest bullet train speed ever recorded which was 460 kph/286 mph.
I look down to see Ophis was staring straight at me, unwavering and unblinking. She stops as she puts her face onto my chest.
"Valerie about what you sa—"
"Later... That's too embarrassing…"
"…..Sure."
She stopped me and buried her head into my back, so I'll have a talk with her later about it. Well, whatever, as long as we do talk about it…
"It's coming."
I look back straight ahead, we were on the Atlantic Ocean, on horses that were running on water, quite thrilling, then—
Zhplop!
"...."
"....That's... An incredible sight…"
"….Bright, shiny, big… Tall."
"I agree, it's quite something. Even I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw this."
We had just passed through the barrier that separated Tír na nÓg from the mortal realm, in front of us. How do I even describe it? But simply… Majestic? Otherworldly? Breathtaking? It was different from the Faerie Kingdom… But it was still very impressive.
The majority of the buildings were colored in white, perhaps they were made from the rocks and metals of this foreign land? There were a few large structures that stood out, there were also some structures that had… Pillars of light?
Were these made for a defensive purpose? Or just general lighting? To our left, there was a kind of dock, there were boats and ships there. To our right there was what appeared to be a tree with a blue crystal… It had some green and yellow to it too.
Behind the large ship was a giant blue crystal. To the right, in the distance, was a huge blue spear with something. I zoomed in with my eyes and could see multiple large crystals surrounded by a much larger crystal.
The largest building beside it also had smaller crystals at the top. I can assume that's the place where the Queen and… Former? King resides in, from the looks of it there were multiple layers to it.
I wonder how large this place is? Could this be the main island? What beings reside here? Humanoid… Somethings? Other creatures? It's a place of eternal youth with no illnesses and fighting— Well, from what Scathach said, it was, so there might be fighting currently.
We were slowly approaching the dock as we could see numerous women there going about their daily routines. But there was a tense atmosphere around them, their faces looked strained… Like they were in pain, maybe physically? Mentally? Emotionally? All three?
The horse suddenly stopped. However, when I looked back in front of me, we had arrived at the dock, the horse made a head gesture, Valerie got off first followed by me, Scathach had already left. The horses neighed, turned around, and started to run back.
"They're returning back to that place?"
"Yes. Come, follow me."
Scathach answered Valerie's question but urged us to follow her. Many eyes were on us. Ophis got off me as she held my hand and we started to walk through the world of Tír na nÓg.
We go past, through and under the large blue crystal, a pillar of translucent light came from it and shot into the sky, in front of us was a… Gloomy shopping district, there was a fountain just in front of us— Almost like a quaint town square, beyond it were many stalls and shops.
But the inhabitants, the females, all appeared depressed, wearing frowns or dead looks for the most part. The atmosphere here was worse than on the docks.
But Scathach didn't stop, we walked through in silence. We got a few glances and stares our way, but they generally didn't try to speak with us or interrupt our walk.
After walking a short while, we saw quite a few buildings and structures. However, we eventually came to a small hill that had the gates to the largest building here. In front were two guards….
They notice us with Scathach, they nod at her as they stare at me and my companions. They didn't look hostile, instead I could sense… Relief from them? I nod at them as they gave me weak and forced smiles.
"…Jin."
"I know."
I didn't like it, Tír na nÓg was… In a way, I was expecting it to be a happy place, full of joys and smiles, not this. In a way, without Valerie saying that to me, I wanted to help them. But as the Middleman, I had to make sure they were going to join the Alliance.
We entered through the large entrance, again everything was mostly white, with some green and blue here and there. There was a woman there already waiting.
"Aoife."
"Miss Scathach, you have returned with…"
The woman in front of us glanced at me and again, relief washed over her. She had platinum blonde hair, blue eyes with glasses, her breasts were quite large and she wore… A place white dress, with sandals. Both her ears were pierced with the same glowing blue crystal in them as earrings.
"Jin Skyward, Middleman and Red Dragon Emperor, your Queen wished to see me?"
"Yes… Please follow me."
She walked in front of us to the left, lights… What were the lights made of? I could feel some sort of magic powering them, as they just floated above us, in front of us was… A platform. It was made of the same stone— White and had the blue crystal in the middle.
"Please step here, it will bring us to the top, the Queen is there, waiting…"
Aoife also stepped in with us… Aoife, that name, the same as my past lover. I didn't know how to feel about it, but I didn't dwell on it— No use in doing so. Once we were all on the platform it began to move.
Vwooowowowhshh!
It was quite fast even at the beginning of the flight. Valerie lost her balance as she held onto me. Everyone else was fine. We stood there in silence, we kept on ascending higher and higher. I could see there were 'windows' in front and behind us.
It overlooked the whole of the island; I could see there were a few islands in the world; I wonder if their civilization also extends over there? But before I could look further into it, the platform stopped.
"We are here, please be careful or you may trip."
Upon hearing her warning, the girls passed through first, then I followed. There was no gap of sorts, but it was elevated. Once through I looked forward and saw another long hallway and an open doorway.
"Follow me, just this straight hallway, then we go left into where our Queen is waiting."
After saying that, Aoife started to walk away. Scathach was already beside her but they didn't chat. Above us were multiple of those floating lights, around us were a few statues or monuments and plants in those white vases.
Could those statues be past Queens? Or Kings? Both? Or just historical figures of this world? The ground was also the same, but the blue crystals did not glow, it seemed more for decorations… Do they make these or are they in heavy abundance in Tír na nÓg?
Once we got past the hallway, the area in front of us had a blue and red carpet, which was quite strange to see. To our left was another large doorway without a door— But we could see the throne and someone sitting on it. The figure was looking to her right, they hadn't noticed us yet.
"Please go forward, I shall be here, the Queen awaits you."
I nod at her and took the lead this time, Scathach slightly behind me with her eyes closed, Valerie and Ophis behind me. Both of them looked around, amazed by the place.
Noticing our presence or hearing our footsteps she looks at us, I could fully see her figure, and facial features now…
The Queen has a slim build of medium height and fair skin; her face is a little narrow and elongated, with large blue eyes and thick dark lashes.
She has blonde hair that ends on her hips, but in front of her face she has a fringe which ends in the middle of her eyebrows separated into three strands: one falls on her face and two blend into two longer strands that end on her shoulders.
She is wearing a white ribbon-tie dress with a Prussian blue jacket. She also sports a white, pleated silk skirt and an emerald brooch in the middle of the ribbon tie. She also wears brown gloves and a pair of long, heeled leather boots.
"…."
The Queen of Tír na nÓg looks like Violet Evergarden. She smiled at us as we were silently staring at her. I feel Scathach nudge me, the Queen lightly smiling at me. I awkwardly cough into my fist.
"Ahem. I am Jin Skyward, Red Dragon Emperor and Middleman, you wanted to meet me….?"
"Mia, call me Mia, Jin."
I nod.
"Then, Queen Mia of Tír na nÓg, what is the problem here? Why are the inhabitants of this land so…"
"Gloomy? Depressed? Down on their luck? Low spirited?"
Queen Mia let out a sad chuckle and shook her head. She looks back at us as I felt Aoife join us.
"For many eons, this world has remained isolated from the mortal realm and many others. On occasion, albeit infrequently, supernatural beings have crossed the barrier."
She makes a small gesture with her hand, as if sweeping across the room— No, land.
"First and foremost, the inhabitants of this world are peaceful. We only kill to harvest food and defend ourselves, and we are not a violent group. As I said we do defend ourselves, while most of those supernatural beings that cross over tend to leave just as quickly…"
"There are some that are...more than unpleasant and have resulted in the injury of some women and the death of a man in the past. But our recent problem...has been quite dire."
Dire? Something they can't deal with themselves?
"A mist…"
Mist?
"A mist emanates from the barrier and slowly spreads over the whole island. From the mist comes an unknown creatures of origin… However, there is one consistency that comes from the mist."
Queen Mia looks at me straight in the eye, anger clearly in them.
"A woman's laugh, as well as her figure. We believe she is responsible for this, but why? We do not know."
That doesn't narrow anything down… But if I had to guess, it might be…
"Leanan Sídhe…"
"Leanan Sídhe? Fairy lover?"
Scathach repeats what I said and I nod.
The Leannán Sídhe or 'Fairy Lover' is a figure from Irish Folklore. She is depicted as a beautiful woman of the Aos Sí 'People of the Barrows' who takes a human lover.
Lovers of the Leannán Sídhe are said to live brief, though highly inspired, lives. The name comes from the Gaelic words for a sweetheart, lover, or concubine and the term for inhabitants of fairy mounds.
While the Leannán Sídhe is most often depicted as a Female Fairy, there is at least one reference to a male Leannán Sídhe troubling a mortal woman in the past.
If I had to guess, those creatures are only around Middle to High-class in power. From what I can see, Queen Mia is at least Ultimate-class and Aoife is High-class…. Why are they having trouble?
Unless—
'{[Nyarlathotep.]}'
The two dragons, Rudra and I say in unison, why? Is it because I was and am Irish? Why do I even question this? She wants these 'pranks' to annoy me, this world as far as I can tell is mostly peaceful.
"...I'll take care of it, if my theory is right, then this actually involves me personally."
Scathach, Aoife, and Queen Mia look at me in surprise.
"You're… Involved…?"
"Yes, a 'God' that is the same as me is involved. In other words, she has 'pranked' me, and unfortunately since I am Irish, she has chosen to attack the Irish supernatural world. I am guessing the incidents that the other groups that Scathach mentioned to me before may involve her too."
"....Will she be stopped? The Leanan Sídhe or the God that's 'pranking' you?"
"Yes, I can stop the Leanan Sídhe and the 'God' that's been pranking me is… Currently, locked away, but she did leave some more of her 'pranks' around, I need to clean up that mess…. Anyway, will she appear tonight?"
"I am not sure… Her attacks are almost at random, the last time she appeared was two days ago, no one died, but there were some injuries."
So it's at random, huh? Fairy Lover, is she taking out her anger on these women? Why? Is she jealous? Or maybe… She was once part of them?
"Queen Mia, a question, did any women on this island ever leave? Or cast away? Banished? Exiled?"
She shook her head but cast a questioning look and nodded to herself.
"…Death here is a very rare case, however… When these attacks, a woman did die, alongside her husband. She brought a man over here a few years ago, however, in most cases the man made a harem for himself here."
"He, along with her— Emma, perished first as well as other few women."
Could they be related? Love makes you do strange things… This woman, Emma, became jealous? Killed the woman and her husband so no one else could have him? But it doesn't add up… I look at the Queen again and she's a Fairy of sorts.
"Queen Mia, what…beings reside here? Are all the women here fairy or elves?"
"…The women here come from all walks of life, from when this paradise started— Many beings from all walks of life came here, dwarves, humans, elves, fairies, spirits, and hybrids. Emma was a fairy, I am too. Aoife is a human elf hybrid."
"We not only take human males from the mortal realm— But sometimes the woman brings another species here, love isn't confined to just humans after all."
[Maybe the Leanan Sídhe, took advantage of that? Maybe promising this Emma woman a way to make her husband only love her?]
{Being enticed with that… She willingly helped or still helps the Leanan Sídhe come here, but why does she keep coming back though?}
'The end result, is her lover dead, perhaps losing her will to live, she was brainwashed, perhaps killed and reanimated to do her bidding?'
Good ideas, but we'll fully know once we confront her, I'll be reading her memories and mind. But… I guess we'll be staying here for a couple of days then, like what Scathach said. The attacks are at random, but we can investigate a bit.
"Mr. Jin, please help us… We already plan on joining the alliance with the three—"
"As I mentioned earlier, the incidents that are happening are mostly due to me, while I do believe all of the groups mentioned by Scathach will join the alliance, this— In a way has turned into a more personal problem."
"I'll deal with this, have you sign the form, of course, you can read them through… Would you like to see them?"
She nods, I summon the stacks of documents as well as a table and chair, I put them down on it. I gesture for her to come and read them, she does so— She gets up from her throne and walks down to us…
Now that I get a closer look… She really does resemble Violet. The Queen with Aoife by her side looks over the documents, even Scathach started to go through them.
"We'll be staying here for the next few days then, like you said, Scathach. Do you mind me taking a look around? …Actually, are there more islands here, Queen Mia?"
"Please, feel free too, and yes, there are three other Islands in Tír na nÓg, this is the main Island, two of the islands provide our… Food, from plants to wildlife, they reside there, the other is mostly spring water, as well as… The fountain of Tír na nÓg, that grants you eternal youth."
"Is that the fountain that is inhabited by salmon? I couldn't see it from here with my normal vision, but I did see a vague giant tree shape in the distance… The air is clouded in a bit of fog after all."
The Queen nods.
"Originally, it was the center of Tír na nÓg, however, my ancestors moved it to that island, and many of the current buildings and architecture were updated to more of a modern look, mostly due to the younger women going out over the years and seeing modern human society…"
A big ceremony is meant to take place before turning someone into an immortal— Or at least extending their lifespan to a very long number. That's what the folklore said anyway… But with what Mia says, it's most likely true.
"…I'll leave you guys to it then, I'll be exploring the place with these two, maybe find clues? I'll come back when we're done."
"Mr. Jin, I have provided a place of residence during your stay, Aoife, please show them to it…"
Aoife nods as she leads us again, I glance at Scathach, she hadn't taken her eyes off the documents, I can guess she knows where it is already. We go down the same path, take the platform down.
We silently walk with her, Valerie and Ophis still quite intrigued by the place.
"Aoife, what are those blue crystals for?"
"To provide light, warmth and to repel creatures that come too close to our shores. They were built by our ancestors."
I see, it did feel a bit warm when we passed them, no, even here I can still a bit of it. They have a large range for them, I will assume it goes for the repelling function. After that, the conversation stopped, but it didn't take us long.
The place we're staying at is near the shopping district of Tír na nÓg, it was a large building a little bit away from it. Aoife goes inside the building first, like all the others, it was white and had the same color pallet as the rest.
However, there was brown wood here, the ones I've seen with other colors are the roofs of the shops and houses in the shopping district.
"Eithne, I'm here with the guests."
A woman who had her eyes closed opened them up, she had red— Er, ginger hair? No, they hate being called that— So red. Anyway, she had red hair, green eyes, freckles, and glasses. The woman called Eithne had a smile on her— Unlike most women here, she felt genuinely happy.
"Oh? If it ain't Aoife, good day to ya, so, this is the famous Middleman, huh? He really does have a harem of women— Even if it's only two. Welcome!"
She greets us as she comes out from behind to shake our hands one by one. Remembering that we're still here to stay, she jumps over the desk and gets a singular key. Seeing this, Valerie blushes but doesn't say anything. She jumps back over and puts the key into my hand.
"Enjoy your stay here! Don't be scared to woohoo it up!"
She gave me a toothy grin as Aoife lightly smacks her on the head.
"Ow! Hey! It will happen!"
"Even so, you don't need to say it out loud."
"Thank you, we'll… Take a look then."
I thank them and look at the key as it had a number of '25', so I with Ophis and Valerie went through the hall of the inn? Hostel? Hotel? Whatever it was, we found the door to my— Our room.
We enter and it was… Well, plain? A single large bed, a wardrobe, a few drawers, table, and chairs. The same magic-powered lights…
Clap!
It turned off…
Clap!
It turned on…
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Smack!
"Behave…"
I started to clap turning it on and off, like what I did in the Inn in the Faerie Kingdom… But it didn't last as Valerie lightly hit me, with an unamused look. At least let me have a little fun….
[Will the clapping of ass cheeks make them turn on and off?]
{...…}
'...….'
Cúntóir: Answer: ...…
...Good question, Ddraig. I am now wondering that…
'Don't encourage him, Jin.'
{I agree with Rudra, Jin, don't.}
[Hah! Me and Partner think alike!]
Ddraig's mark manifested on my right hand.
[Hey Valerie.]
"Ddraig-san?"
[So, those lights are controlled by clapping, since you confessed, please have sex with this man. We wish to confirm if the claps of flesh will make these turn on and off. Of course, we won't watch, but we'll know from Jin afterwards. Cheers!]
Ddraig's mark then disappears…
"...…"
"...…"
I facepalm, did— Did he really have to say that? I'm curious, I won't deny that, but this girl just confessed to me at a very odd time, it's not time to talk about it yet, maybe?
"Ahahaha…."
Valerie just let out an awkward laugh and didn't answer his question, but she was lightly blushing… I feel a tug on my hand. I look beside me and Ophis had… Transformed into her adult form.
"Sex?"
I awkwardly cough into my fist as Valerie stares shocked at Ophis. Ophis spreads her arms out as she— With her adult form, her breasts became bigger. Is she telling me to embrace her?
"It's okay, for Jin only."
"…. I— We can talk about that later too, Ophis. I appreciate the thought though."
I pat her on the head as she nods and turned back to her loli form. I sigh.
"Okay, this is where we'll be sleeping… Let's go explore."
…
We were back by the reception and Aoife was already gone, Eithne was also there as she waved at us.
"Going out to explore? If those attacks didn't happen it would be a lot livelier! Haaa… Don't mind it though, you're here to help! Please help us, Mr. Middleman."
"I will don't worry."
Happy with my answer she goes back to…. Reading as she pulls out a book… It was a light novel… The walrus one, oh it's even popular here? Did the younger women bring them over?
We leave the hostel and go exploring the Island, first the marketplace, the atmosphere was heavy, a few women were still trying to act normal and liven the place up by doing their normal thing.
But the stalls and goers-by were gloomy, we make our way back to the fountain and sit by it. We look around us and see the same scene over and over.
"You guys can stay here; I'll go check out the waters and barrier."
"No… We'll go with you."
Valerie shook her head and was already getting up with me— The same with Ophis. Using magic, we all floated and fly towards the barrier, once there I check it out.
"…"
The barrier around this place is strong, multiple strong individuals were responsible for making it all those years ago, I touch it and my hand goes through, I have been invited here so it makes sense that I don't feel any resistance, the same could be said for those two since they're accompanying me.
But I don't feel anything wrong with it, maybe it's because of that woman Emma? The Leanan Sídhe maybe have done something so she could easily pass through here, then summon her creatures with the mist.
[Perhaps she just brute forces it?]
{That would mean the barrier would be damaged or broken, unlikely.}
[Then we go with what Jin said.]
'Check the water, perhaps more answers lay there.'
Going with Rudra's suggestion I fly down and inspect the waters of Tír na nÓg, I could see some normal fish underneath just swimming around, rocks and coral life, there was no pollution. Did the ancestors clean it up?
I feel for any type of magical or energy signature and find nothing… So if I go with my own theory, Emma is mostly likely the reason for her being able to come and go as she pleases, but the attacks don't make sense.
What does Leanan Sídhe have against the current inhabitants of Tír na nÓg? Or is it a grudge of many eons, probably from their ancestors?
"…"
Can I get the memories of inanimate objects? Maybe even the barrier or water itself? It's worth a shot. I touch it…
'Boing ~ Boing ~'
??????????????????????????????????????
What? What the hell? Why was the water saying boing boing? I shake my head and touch the barrier… But all I heard were horse neighs, sounds of waves, and the occasional boat. I guess not, maybe they need more of a 'consciousness'…
"Did you find anything, Jin?"
"No, but I came up with a theory with Ddraig and Albion."
I tell them what we discussed, and Valerie nods. Seeing as how we won't get any more answers here, we leave back for the port. Once we arrive, I look at the blue crystal— The one by the entrance. It was producing heat and a repelling effect.
From what I can see, it can repel up to High-class level monsters and beasts. So it's not effective against anything higher, I can probably upgrade it… I'll suggest doing so once they're allied.
"Can we take a look at the three other islands?"
I nod, I'm also curious about them, we fly back up again, I look over to our right and see another little city or it is just one giant structure? I'll ask the Queen later…
We fly north and we saw two other islands side by side, one to the right… In the distance I could see many trees, vegetation, and other plantations. This is probably the island where they get their fruits, vegetables, and other herbs.
The one on the left also had some plant life, vegetation, and trees but wasn't as abundant as the right island. I could see all types of animals as we slowly approach, boars, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and many others including supernatural ones.
We land on the island as the two girls walk in front of me and start exploring, I could feel many animals on the island when I checked every corner, many are passive, and some were hostile.
"Careful, while I know they can't hurt you, there are still some hostile animals here, many are passive though."
They nod without turning around, a few chickens run past them followed by another and some chicks.
'Barbara, please! I can explain!'
'I've had it with you, George! Kids come with mommy!'
'Adventure!'
'Food!'
'Hahaha!'
...Chicken drama, interesting…
Rustle ~ Rustle ~
Hmmm? I turn to my right and out came… A deer, it was blue and lightly glowing, it was larger than the typical deer you see in the human world, and its antlers were also quite large. It was also High-class in power.
"Hmmm? This is quite a rare occurrence, a Dhampir, Dragon, and… An unknown has come to visit our humble abode, I welcome thee."
The magical deer spoke. It stomps its foot on the ground and a small gust of wind pushed forward, making the trees and bushes around us shake. Valerie and Ophis blankly stare at the deer, shocked? In awe? Confused?
"Hello, I'm the Middleman, we're just exploring the islands with the permission of Queen Mia."
It nods.
"Ah, yes, the Middleman, one has come to our world, perhaps for the alliance? Hmm, a recent event has troubled the Queen. From me to you, please lend her aid."
It looks like even this mythical creature respected her; I nod.
"I already planned to, we've done some research, the only thing left is to wait for the next attack and stop it."
"One has my thanks, come, I shall give thee and companions as a guide…. Forgive me, I am Ilana, the guardian of this forest… While I do not interrupt when the women of this world hunt, they have promised not to… Go too far with it. A balance must be maintained."
Makes sense, hunt too much and the animals here will go extinct, just do enough and let them repopulate. The same with the plants, vegetables, and fruits on the other island…
"Is there also a guardian on the other island?"
"Yes, she is a Dryad, one's name is Aralia, she is both playful and a serious woman. Do not take offense to her… Brazen mouth."
Ilana then took us around the Island, showing us spots where certain animals live and breed, other spots where some… 'Fighting' between species takes place, for dominance apparently, and other wonderful places.
The more notable places were a small little waterfall with a pond below it, the water was see-through as no pollution or other influences had contaminated it. The pond wasn't deep or large but had some fish in it. How? Maybe there was a hole that connected through into the larger waters…
"While this island has more than enough fruits, vegetables, and vegetation for the animals to eat, Aralia also sometimes sends over extra to help us, however, unlike her— She can increase the growth of the crops there, I cannot do it for life on here."
Hmm, so she can increase the rate at which they grow at? Pretty convenient, so I can guess that this place eats more plants, fruits, and vegetables then, while keeping a good supply of meats throughout the year so as to not kill off the animals.
I glance back at Ophis and Valerie, some baby chicks had jumped onto them, Valerie happily carrying a few of them, and Ophis had two on her head— Not sure on what to do, but didn't shoo them away.
They weren't the ones from earlier… But the parents were walking beside them, seemingly trusting them since they were not making any moves to get them back. We finally arrive at an elevated… Vine? Tree branch bridge?
"One uses this to go to the other Island, I have informed Aralia, she will be expecting you."
"Do the animals use this?"
Ilana shakes her head…. I could feel some magic on it.
"They do not want to risk the waters, as it is an unknown to them, the 'bridge' has magic imbued on it to prevent them from using it, I personally helped Queen Mia and 'them' create it."
'Them' I'll find out soon, maybe… Like sages of this place or something? The more prominent fighters? Valerie and Ophis remove the chicks from them and place them back on the ground, they waddle back to their parents as they leave.
"We'll get going then, thank you for the tour, Ilana."
"Mmm, have a safe stay, Jin and his companions, Ophis and Valerie. To think I would meet the Ouroboros Dragon in my lifetime!"
We got on the vine bridge and started to walk to the other Island. Yes, Ilana found out who Ophis was and was quite shocked, but seeing how… Passive she was— She didn't feel the need to be on alert.
"She was quite fun to be with, Ilana."
"Yeah, she was— Almost like a mother figure for all of those animals. A watchful guardian."
Valerie looks back one last time and waves, we finally jump off the vine bridge and go into the forest. I locate an aura similar to Ilana and lead the way to it, the two follow after me.
Around us were many plants and vegetation… Normally many of the fruits and vegetables that I could see around us wouldn't be able to grow in Ireland's climate, but it seems like this place can. Mangos, Dragon fruit, banana, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and many others were here.
After going through some dense vegetation, we come into a clearing, in the middle was a relatively large tree, not as big as the other one the fountain of youth was at, but bigger than the rest.
"Oh? Finally, you guys made it. Salutations! I am called Aralia, the Dryad, and guardian of this Island!"
Aralia the Dryad has light skin, long dark green leaf-like hair, and leaf-like ears, she has pale green gloves on with leaves at the top. She is also wearing vines and leaves similar to a bikini. She also has bright green eyes and sits on a tree with different colored tree leaves.
"I am aware of your names! Welcome and feel free to explore! If you have questions, ask away!"
Valerie beside me raises her hand and Aralia nods.
"Are all types of fruit present on this Island?"
"All? No, many? Yes! I shall assume that Queen Mia has informed you that many females here are descendants of different types of supernatural creatures! So, they came with their fruits back then and planted them here!"
"This Island suits any and all types of soils, temperatures, and other necessary conditions to grow fruits and vegetables!"
She's energetic and looks excited to tell us, Valerie was nodding along with what was being said, Ophis was…where was Ophis? I turn around and see her munching on…. A red pepper. She sees me staring at her and she tilts her head cutely.
"Tasty?"
"If you say so."
She puts more into her ring and comes back beside me. Valerie and Aralia kept on talking for the next few minutes so Ophis and I take a look at the giant tree. I will assume that this is her 'home' not including the Island… I could feel some space magic within it— Perhaps her personal home is inside it.
"Oh? Are you interested in my home, Mr. Jin?"
"Space magic or spatial magic, I won't intrude. I do have a question though."
"Ask away!"
"About the last Island, the one with the tree and fountain of youth."
She nods understandingly and smiles at me.
"Yes! That's where the ceremonies take place! When the male that is chosen to stay here is brought there to be soaked in the water of the fountain! They will then gain an expanded lifespan equal to that of the devils!"
Wait, only ten thousand years? Not eternal youth? Immortality? Aralia sees my confused expression and continues.
"Yes, it is not immortality, we just gain an extended lifespan, ten thousand years, equal to that of the Devils of the Underworld. Immortality can only be gained through different ways, forbidden, changing race or being born like it."
"Like the Ouroboros Dragon there, they are ageless, they will live forever until our world ceases to exist, Gods are the same… I think I'm still not sure on how that works since I'm not a God."
Right, Odin acts like an old man and behaves like one, complaining about his age, his back, and the like. Do Gods in this world just have extended lifespans? Or are they just acting… I need to ask Odin that when I go back to Asgard.
Do they just change their appearance as they like? Like how Ophis does her transformations. Rias in the books mentioned that's how Grayfia looks when she visits them as 'Grayfia', not the maid but as the individual, she looked much younger…
[Keep talking like that and the next time you see her, you're getting your dick frozen.]
I know age is a delicate subject for women… I won't say anything to her…
"I see… Anything else of note on the last island?"
Aralia goes into a thinking pose as she stands there pondering the question for a while. I go over to Valerie and pat her head.
"I wonder how long Dhampir's live…"
"A long time…"
"Is that so? That's reassuring."
Ophis and I had stood beside Valerie as we watch Aralia still thinking about it… I feel Valerie hold my hand tight, hmm did it bother her? I'll ask her that question eventually too.
"Hmm!! There are some ruins there! But… As far as I know, nothing of significant, well— The fountain but nothing else."
"Ruins? I'll check them out then."
"Wait! How about a tour?!"
"Yes."
Ophis answered before I could speak, it seemed she was interested in the food here, I shrug and follow them. There were different locations on the island that had certain fruits, vegetables, and plants.
They all suited the 'special' or specific 'condition' for them to grow, whether that be soil, temperature, or something else. Aralia also told us that she has already used her magic on those spots to increase the growth rate.
Ophis took an apple from a tree, and around five minutes later it grew back perfectly on the same spot. Interesting… I should add something like this to my home, but I do just summon or buy them… I mean the fridge at home before we left— There were four of them and all were full.
I stocked them up just in case anyone wanted to cook anything specific. We finally finished the mini tour that Aralia took us on, we stood facing the last Island, the tree was…. Well, humongous. It wasn't too visible because of the thick fog from the main island but here… It's yeah—big.
"We'll get going then, how do they get to it? The boats?"
"Mmm! They use the boats; it does not take long to reach them as those boats are powered by magic. At most, seven to ten minutes."
"I see, alright, goodbye, for now, Aralia."
"Goodbye! Visit again before you leave!"
We then flew away, glancing back she was still waving at us. The nearer we got to the last Island, the thicker the fog got, I could feel a strange… Atmosphere? Sensation? Whatever it is, it felt…. 'Mystical' in a way, like lost history wanted to be found.
The tree, which I didn't find out the name for had a lot of… Crystallized butterflies? They all were different colors… Could they have produced those blue crystals?
We land on the shores of the Island and start walking, everywhere we looked were ruins. The same white color rock that the women used for their homes and shops. The tree had an entrance, it was quite big, did they have the fountain in there?
"Jin."
Ophis called out my name and pointed above the entrance, it was… A blue crystal but not glowing.
"Why isn't it glowing? I thought they were supposed to?"
"Maybe it's because this place is abandoned? Maybe they have portable ones they bring here when doing the ceremonies?"
I tried to find an answer but came up short, I fly up to it and touch it… Yeah, it's totally dead, I'll fix it. I reverse time on it, as the cracks and dents on it started to repair themselves, once that was done the blue crystal started to glow again— Then a blue light shot up from it and into the sky.
I land back down as Valerie and Ophis stayed on the ground. The 'repelling' effect, warmth, and light was back. Looking forward, I could see the fountain as well as smaller blue crystals leading up to it.
"Greed, check the rest of the islands for these blue crystals, note where they're located, and tell me if they're active or not."
"Yes, my liege."
Greed came out of my shadow and quickly vanished.
"Let's go."
We moved forward, taking note of the overgrown vines and some debris around the place. I kind of expected them to keep this place… Well, clean. Pointing my palm to the fallen debris, I reversed time and they started to go back to where they belonged.
Former buildings started to re-construct themselves, and the overgrown vines, bushes, and shrubbery started to vanish.
"It feels like a lonely place."
"Mmm."
Valerie said as Ophis agreed with her, we eventually got inside of the enormous tree… Above us, were multiple more blue crystals, and they all had faint glows to them, were they defective? Close to running out?
We walk up to the fountain, as what the folklore said, there were salmon in them, and they were alive and well… Do they need food? Or are they 'supernatural' salmon? ...They were, I didn't know how that happened, but whatever.
"I'm guessing these salmon have a life expectancy of ten thousand years."
Fwosh!
"…"
"All crystals around the island, except for the one you restored are dull or are out of commission, my liege. There are a total of five, one in each corner of the island, the one you restored is in the middle—"
"Almost like an hourglass."
I look up as the ones inside this place were in the same state as what Greed told me. What will happen once I restore them?
"I'll hold off restoring them, I can't do that willy-nilly. I need info from Mia. Good work, come back."
Without another word, Greed went back into my shadow, I can assume there's no other life since I couldn't sense any, what happened here? Is there more they're not telling me?
"Let's go back, for now, I have some questions for the Queen."
…
I teleported us back into the throne room since I wanted to get these questions some answers. Noticing us back they smiled at us, Scathach was leaning against one of the open windows silently staring out.
"Welcome back, Mr. Jin. How was your trip?"
"Thank you, yeah it was good… All that's left is to wait for the attack to occur, I have some questions though."
Aoife was also here, Mia nods back at me.
"If it's within my power to answer, then I'll do my best."
"Right, so what happened on that last island? Why are all of the crystals dead or dying? I restored one— The one in the middle and cleaned up a little. I held back restoring everything until I get more answers."
"One of our own— Niamh, she—"
"The ones from the story?"
I interrupt her and she nods, she had a smile on her— Even Aoife looked quite crestfallen. Did it involve her? If I go by the story… It's cliché but, understandable… I'll let them tell them and compare.
"Niamh, when she went to the mortal realm, she met the man Oisín, he was no hero like the tales tell, but an ordinary working man. For Niamh… It was like love at first sight, she was enamored by him… You could say the same for Oisín."
"They quickly fell in love, but spent days there… Bonding, growing closer… Just your typical love story, yes? One day, Niamh finally told Oisín what she was and where she came from. Of course, Oisín was shocked but also excited."
"The rest followed like the story…they came here, a ceremony was held and had his life expectancy extended. He was loved by everyone, I— At the time was still a young child, someone else was Queen and King."
"He— Oisín did not look for other lovers, Niamh was his, and Oisín was hers. They spent those three years here happily…"
Wait, hold up, he spent three years in here and three hundred passed out there…
"Please worry not, we have changed that… Even if you spend three years here, only three years will pass in the human realm… After that tragedy— We did not want a repeat. The other males before him did not want to return so we never thought of it before."
Good, I didn't panic… No sir.
[Liar.]
{Liar.}
'Liar.'
Cúntóir: Answer: Lying isn't good, Jin.
Oh, shut up, leave me alone. The excitement just got to me.
"I see, that's good."
She smiles and continues.
"However, tragedy struck, as you know from the fairy tale, what happened to Oisín. But it didn't end there… The fairy tale never told of what happened to Niamh. She was heartbroken, she even went out to look for Oisín, she found out what happened."
"She never took on another husband after that, she spent her days by herself, alone and heartbroken. Their love was… Something we couldn't understand, we tried to help but nothing worked."
"She made the last Island her new home?"
She nods.
"She spent the rest of her days there, at night we would hear her singing, eventually years passed— Eons and finally, she passed away. It's believed her soul— Her 'self' fused with the Island itself."
"You say you restored the blue crystal? We tried that many times over the years, but they all eventually broke or became dull. It's of no use. They will just revert back."
I see so that's what happened, that's why Valerie said… It felt lonely. It was her pain and loneliness, huh? Is Oisín's soul even still here? Is there a way for me to help her? Cúntóir?
Cúntóir: Answer: Oisín lives on, his soul has reincarnated multiple times, and right now he is alive… Ironically, he's also named Oisín.
"…."
[Side quest time!]
Smack!
[Ow! What the hell?!]
{Jin, will you help her?}
"Niamh, in a way, gives her own blessings to new husbands— Men that we bring there, the woman and man have a healthy life— Of course, that's stopped with the recent attacks."
She didn't become bitter or vengeful. Haa…. This woman. It can't be helped, sorry new Oisín, I'll be borrowing you and restoring your memories for a limited time. I need to have your mourning wife to move on.
"I'll help, I found out that Oisín reincarnated already in this day and age. I'll bring him back, have them talk, and hopefully, she can move forward….. I have a few days, I'll do it tomorrow… It's become night after all."
"M-Mr. Jin! C-Can I suggest you do it at night? You may hear her singing tonight…"
She still sings? Interesting. I'll keep an eye out later then. I nod and turn back.
"We'll be in the hotel then… Have you read through them?"
"Yes, I have no quarrels with any of the terms and conditions… If I'm being honest, we gain more benefits more than anything. I believe the other groups will agree… As for Miss Scathach…"
"I'll decide when my own request is finished."
Queen Mia agreed, she was fine with it…I'll get my answer out of Scathach once our little duel is done.
"Then you can sign whe—"
"I have already."
She interrupts me and I'm a bit surprised, I walk over and check the document and it was signed by her.
"Are you sure of this? You can still have time to think about it…"
"I am sure— No, this island, this world is sure, the women agree with my decision."
"Very well."
I summon my pen and sign it too, I put all the documents into my [Inventory]. I turn around and nod at Ophis and Valerie.
"We'll be leaving then. Leave the problem and the situation with Niamh to me."
"Yes, thank you!"
…
Nighttime
It had been a couple of hours since then, it was around ten at night, my group, Scathach, Valerie, Ophis and I were back on the last Island, I wanted to hear this singing first hand.
"According to the Queen, it should start soon."
Suddenly—
"Hm ~ Hm ~ Hm ~"
In the distance… We could hear some humming, the humming slowly turned into words as the whole Island was covered in an unfamiliar song. Small glowing green lights appear in the sky all around us and pulsed every now and again.
"…"
In front of us, underneath the blue crystal which had become dull again was a woman, she was glowing green as well, like the small lights.
Niamh is portrayed as a young twenty-year-old woman, with a physique that's described as finely sculpted, with long blonde hair that includes a left braid and rose pin on the top left.
Her outfit consists of a long black gown with red ruffles at the bottom of the skirt, with an accompanying waistband used to emphasize her curvature, along with long black gloves that reach her shoulders and black heels.
The singing lasted around an hour, once it was done, the green balls of light around us disappeared, Niamh looked at us, gave us a sad smile, and disappeared.
"…"
"She's beautiful…"
"Mmm."
"She also has quite the voice, interesting. What is your plan, Jin?"
"Just wait and see, I'll do it before the attack happens. It will be better that way. I'll have her move on, as well as Oisín, those two need to go together."
Scathach raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean by that?"
I turn around without answering her, they join me and I teleport back to the hotel.
…
"…"
Ophis was asleep, she fell asleep as soon as we got back to my room, Scathach had left for hers. Valerie and I sat beside each other on the bed. She was looking down blushing— It was time to talk about that abrupt confession.
"So, when?"
"…During the five years— I know you told me not to but I did, I'm sorry…"
Why is she apologizing for falling in love? All I told her was to not let her emotions be influenced by what I did and do.
"You don't need to apologize for falling in love, Valerie. So, you want to make this official?"
She shyly nods and puts her face on my shoulder.
"Alright, let's do it. Let's make it official—"
"B-But I want to take our time!"
I snort as she lightly hits me, I put my hands up.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. But yeah, sure. I took my time with Reni; I have some experience with that. Anyway, let's sleep…"
She nods and we join Ophis on the bed… We lay there…
"Valerie… Question, do you… Sleep in a cardboard box? Or coffin in your room in my house?"
Bonk!
"While purebloods like sleeping in coffins and Dhampir like myself and Gasper can sleep in things like cardboard boxes… We can sleep normally too, that was rude of you, Jin…. Geez…"
"I was just curious! But thanks for correcting that."
"Also… I never asked you to make a coffin bed for me…"
Right… She didn't…
…
Next day
"Alright, I'll go kidnap Oisín."
"…Jin, please use another word for that… Kidnap is a bit…"
"Well, I technically kidnapped you too, the Tepes faction is in a frenzy from what I hear. No outright war has started with the Carmilla faction, but a few skirmishes have started."
"...…"
She was glaring at me again, Scathach smirked and Ophis was by the fountain eating sweets I gave her.
Today I was planning on having Niamh and Oisín move on, I'll tie both of her fates together— Their souls. Cúntóir said it was possible, so that's what I have planned. Kidnap Oisín, unlock his memories, bring him back here and wait till night.
Have him talk to Niamh, convince her, and then bam, we're done! Well, for the first part of this… Whatever, enough delay, let's get this over with.
…
"Excuse me."
I grab a hold of the perp himself.
"Wait wh—"
I teleport the both of us away while wiping out the memories of everyone around us. He was with a group of friends in a field, just chatting and drinking… Typical Irish youth, haa… How I miss it.
…
"What the fuck?! Who the fuck are you?! Where am I? Did I get too drunk?! Am I dreamin—"
Smack!
"Shut up for a second."
He started babbling like an idiot so I lightly smacked him, he looked at me in disbelief, I touch his head and restore his memories from when he was with Niamh, his time in Tír na nÓg. The guy clutches his head and stumbles back, he falls on his ass and starts to cry.
"No… No, no, no, no, no! Niamh! Where is she?! Is she okay? I have to go back! I—"
Smack!
"Calm down, that's why I'm here."
He was still shocked so he didn't react but just stare at me.
"Alright, Niamh, stayed loyal to you until she passed away, she stayed singled and mourned your death… But she couldn't move on, you have. Your soul reincarnated a few times, and now you're here… As Oisín, funnily enough."
"I'm bringing you back to Tír na nÓg, you'll meet her spirit, you will speak to her and convince her to pass on."
"Bu—"
"I can remove your soul from this boy, I will tie both of your souls together, you both will reincarnate over and over, destined to fall in love and meet each other. Now, will you agree? Or will I need to use force?"
"…"
He was staring wide-eyed at me, he looks at the ground contemplating what to do, and he sits there for a few minutes as I stood there staring at him.
"I'll do it. My time with Niamh was too short… I wanted to spend my new life with her— If only I didn't…"
"No one blames you, you just wanted to help someone and it ended badly. Now, c'mon let's stop mopping and get you that perfect ending."
He wipes the tears from his face, nods, and gets up.
"Yeah, back to Tír na nÓg!"
…
Tír na nÓg
"I'm back and have the man from the stories with me."
I appeared by at the same spot as I had been not too long ago with Oisín in tow. Oisín is a young boy with gold eyes and short blond hair that reaches past the nape of his neck.
His bangs are gathered at the center of his forehead and he has freckles across his cheeks. He wears a black hoodie with a checkmark in the middle-colored red, he had blue jeans and red converse sneakers.
"Hmmm, he holds no power."
"Well, yeah, he's a normal human guy now, with two souls. Anyway, we'll confront Niamh tonight, Oisín. Get yourself ready."
He looks at me seriously and nods, this guy already has his A-game ready. I then suggest bringing him around Tír na nÓg so he can see how the place has changed or remained the same. He was more than happy to do so, so we took him around.
He met up with a few women he knew from the past. They had a tearful but brief reunion as he told them what was going to happen. They were more than happy to see him depart, but on a happier note.
He even met up with Queen Mia, he recognized her and called her 'Little Mia' making the Queen cry, the same with Aoife, though they didn't meet in the past. Time slowly turned from morning to afternoon and finally nighttime.
Oisín had his last lunch and dinner, he was ready. Once I remove this soul, the current Oisín was just a normal guy that has nothing to do with the supernatural. I'll put him back and he'll resume his normal life.
…
Nighttime
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, I have no regrets, I just want to meet my beloved."
It was approaching the same time as last night, and quite a few individuals joined us, including Aoife, Mia, and a few other women he knew. They wanted to see him off, along with Niamh.
Oisín was ahead of us, we wanted to give him privacy, but we could probably hear some things they'll say… I have a barrier ready so they can have privacy.
"It's started…"
The same green balls of light appeared, a humming started and a full-blown song, it seemed Niamh was even brighter today, she was singing her heart out…. Then it stopped, the performance was over.
Niamh looked up and… Became speechless.
"?!"
"Niamh…"
I put up a sound canceling barrier around them.
"I put up a sound canceling barrier around then, they should have this as a private moment."
They didn't answer me though and kept watching them. I turned away and looked up. The nighttime of Tír na nÓg was beautiful, I noticed this yesterday but— It really was… Better than the Underworld's, sorry Rias.
'Reminds me of us, huh, Jin?'
I guess so, two souls, huh? But it remained dormant until I awakened him with his memories. They'll be fine.
'Yes, they will.'
I turn back to look at the women and they were crying, I turn to Oisín and Niamh and they were hugging, Niamh was… Bawling her eyes out, clinging onto the guy like he would disappear. Oisín had tears as well. But they didn't stay like that for long, they wiped their tears away and looked at us.
I destroyed the barrier and walk up to him.
"Are you done?"
"Yeah."
"You two ready to go?"
"Yeah…"
"Alright, let me get started then."
I touch his shoulder, only Oisín answered me as Niamh had closed her eyes, hugging Oisín's arm, the was content, and happy… I could feel it— No the entire Island, it seemed… Caln.
Shiiiiiinnnggg!!
"Your fates are now intertwined, for as long as both of your souls remain intact, you will forever meet each other, fall in love and this will repeat until your souls are destroyed."
"Best of luck."
"Thank you…Jin."
Oisín's soul separated from his body and I catch the sleeping young man. The two of their souls begin to get brighter as they slowly started to disappear.
"Thank you…"
Niamh's last words were directed at me, the happiest expression— The happiest smile was on her face, those two finally left this world. I turn back and see the women still crying— No they were crying harder.
"Let's go. Don't be sad for them, see them off with smiles."
Moving forward, huh?
…
A few days later
Nighttime
It's been a few days since then, and the last Island of Tír na nÓg had become… Quiet, a tranquil place. The 'sadness' and 'loneliness' that Valerie felt was gone. I also brought that boy back to his home, he remembered nothing, the same with his family since I wiped out the memory from that town. They were in a slight panic…
I also restored the blue crystals on the Island, it's as bright and warm as the rest of them now, I also repaired the place, there are now buildings there, but are unoccupied, and the Queen plans on making full use of the place again.
But during those few days after, nothing happened, this place wasn't attacked. I wonder whe—
"Speak of the devil and they appear. 'It' is here, whatever that may be. Let's go."
Valerie and Ophis who had been relaxing on the bed got up, when I flew up, I could see mist starting to come from the waters just in front of the barrier.
"Hehehehahahahah!"
A woman's cackle resounded around the town, the streets were empty, with the exceptions of a few guards and women in battle equipment. They looked terrified but stood their ground.
"It's useless! You shall all perish! Go my lovelies!"
Shatter!
The monsters that started to show up 'broke', the cackling woman became confused and tried to use the same spell, it ended in the same result.
"Tch."
I appear above her as she stares at me.
"I see… Hahaha! Did they ask the Red Dragon Maggot for help? Pitiful! Pitiful!!!"
I appear in front of her, remove her powers and grab her hand. I slowly started to twist it, she started to scream and hit me with the staff she was carrying. But my [True Infinity] stopped it.
"E-Emma?! M-Mr. Jin! That's Emma! Don't hurt her!"
"…This thing is not Emma."
Queen Mia tried to stop me but I didn't.
I look into her memories and what she did to that poor girl was horrible. It's as we hypothesized; she enticed her with a promise of having her husband be only hers. She accepted the deal, and the first attack occurred.
But tragedy struck as her husband tried to help and defend the other women being attacked and was killed. In her grief, she went back to this 'Fairy Lover' and asked if she could bring him back. She also believed in that in her grief.
Instead of being brought back to life— She was tortured and killed. The Leanan Sídhe was ugly— Like really ugly, so in its sick mind, she transferred herself into this woman, with the help of that bitch.
Now she inhabited the body of the previous Emma, this Leanan Sídhe was jealous of the women here, they were all beautiful, and they could get any man they want when they went out. She had to use trickery and slavery, she was bitter and wanted that kind of life.
When Nyarlathotep approached her in a disguise in a form of an Avatar, she enacted her plan, leading up to now. I relay this all back to the women, from the gasps I hear, I can only assume they're shocked.
"Any last words?"
"I don't regret anything."
"I guessed as much. [Hakai]."
Much like the 'Hakai' of Dragon Ball universe, I completely erase the existence of this Leanan Sídhe, the being kept on screaming as she were enveloped in purple light— Slowly fading away into nothingness.
Once she was gone so was the mist. I turn back to everyone as they were staring this way with wide eyes. I land back where they were.
"It's unfortunate with what happened with Emma, she was long gone before the Leanan Sídhe showed up."
At best that thing was Ultimate-class but very low on the ladder….. Ultimate-class will eventually turn into fodder as the world progresses, in a way— It's the new Low-class with how easily some Ultimate-class beings are manhandled later on.
I touch the Queen's forehead and show her the memories of Emma and the Leanan Sídhe, the suffering she experienced. I step back as tears fell from her eyes.
"We must make a burial for Emma."
"I can—"
"No, you have done enough, Mr. Jin, thank you. Let us handle this…"
…
Next day
When I and everyone else left the hotel, we could see them bringing a coffin with them just beyond another pair of gates beside the hotel we were staying at. We follow them silently as they go past another set of gates, much larger this time, and into a forest.
In that forest was a makeshift graveyard, no this was their cemetery… Many tombstones were scattered around, I could see some of them were relatively new. When they reached the spot that was dug for Emma's grave, they started to… Pray? Sing? It was something I didn't recognize.
"Is… Is this traditional?"
Valerie asked me but I shrugged.
"I haven't been to many funerals so I wouldn't know, even more so with the ones in Tír na nÓg."
I felt Ophis go from holding my hand to hugging my side, I look down at her but she didn't stop looking at the funeral. I couldn't tell from her emotions; they were a mess. She may have seen many deaths in her life, but why did this one… Affect her?
Is it because she had gained a better understanding of emotions and feelings? So with that… She became more emotional? She was worried about me during those five years, and probably still even now.
…
It ended after a few more hours, it was around lunchtime now. The Queen had invited us to a local tavern-type place. The Queen paid and let us order as much as we want, being modest we ordered just the minimum.
Once that was done, we stood by the dock.
"We'll get going then. Thank you for the hospitality."
"No, thank you. Mr. Jin, you helped us a lot… You even solved the issue with Niamh even though you weren't required to, thank you again."
I nod at the Queen and turn to Scathach, who's next?"
"Áine of Knockaine, Giants Causeway, and finally Tuatha Dé Danann."
"Why Áine of Knockaine first?"
She smiles at me.
"She became a wanderer. Áine is strongly associated with County Limerick. The hill of Knockainey is named after her, however, after a long time, she started to wander all over Ireland… For what reason? I do not know."
"We will be meeting her in Glendalough."
?????
"A tourist spot?"
I was confused.
...
=========================
Check the chapter comments to see images of certain characters.