"___" Text speech
'___' Internal thoughts
[___] status
(___) skills
(Great Sage:___)
{Author:___} author notes
Some things are subject to change depending on how I develop this story
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Odin turned his gaze toward Meelis as he struggled to his feet, his exhaustion evident. His one good eye glinted faintly in the fading light, the tension of their encounter still lingering in the air. His voice was calm, steady, and measured as he spoke, "You've proven your worth, Meelis Zagan. The branch of Yggdrasil will be yours tomorrow. Rest well tonight."
He paused for a moment, narrowing his eye slightly as he studied Meelis more closely. His voice took on a quieter, contemplative tone.
"Though, I must advise you to rest thoroughly. I may not know the full specifics of your shadow clone technique, but I can sense it. That body is reaching its limits, it is on the verge of undoing itself. You pushed far beyond the boundaries of its design in that trial, and it will require time to recover. Even the most resilient of vessels can only endure so much strain."
Meelis froze for a moment, his shoulders trembling from exhaustion; though he wasn't exactly right about the shadow clones, since they were pretty weak to damage, it would still depend on the users strength, but he wasn't exactly wrong here since Meelis was at his limit, if he pushed further, he would pop.
Odin's words lingered in his mind, though the meaning was clear: Rest wasn't just a suggestion, but a necessity.
Meelis looked up at him, his body trembling as the weight of exhaustion pulled him down. His voice was weak but steady as he managed a faint smile. "Tomorrow, then," he murmured.
Odin nodded and gestured toward the path leading out of the clearing. "Go now," he said. "You've earned this moment of respite."
Meelis took a deep breath, gathering what little strength he had left, and began to make his way toward the path, not even having any spare energy to fly or teleport. His figure grew smaller and smaller as he vanished into the trees, the remnants of Odin's magical pressure lingering in the air like a storm on the horizon.
Odin stood still for a moment, his piercing gaze lingering on the direction Meelis had taken. His thoughts were measured, not rushed, and his eye narrowed as he considered the events that had just transpired.
'I didn't truly unleash my full strength upon him,' Odin mused quietly to himself. 'If I had, he would be dead several times over by now. His body wouldn't have been able to endure the pressure, let alone push through it. This wasn't about breaking him; it was about testing his will, his resolve, and his adaptability. His ingenuity is promising, but his approach still leaves much to be desired. His knowledge of other pantheons, though suspicious, isn't entirely unreasonable when considering his connection to Sirzechs Lucifer.'
Odin's eye glimmered faintly as his thoughts lingered on Meelis' strange techniques. 'The shadow clone technique was unique. While shadow clones are not new, as yokais know some shadow clone techniques, his version of it was different from any I've ever encountered, and his use of that technique he calls, Kaio-ken, was entirely new to me in both past and present, me, Odin, The God of Wisdom in Norse Mythology. I can't help but wonder where this knowledge came from. Perhaps the influence of his strange network of allies, or perhaps a deeper history I have yet to uncover. Regardless, his will is strong, and that is what matters most.'
He turned his attention back toward the horizon, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Tomorrow, he will receive the branch. I can't help but wonder what he needs it for, I hope you don't disappoint me Meelis Zagan."
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-Scene Change-
Meelis trudged his way through the dimly lit forest, his breaths coming in shaky intervals as he struggled to put one foot in front of the other. His exhaustion threatened to pull him down at any moment, but he forced himself onward. He wasn't alone, sadly, Issei was walking beside him, his own expression marked with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Man, that was insane," Issei finally said, breaking the long silence between them. His voice was shaky as if he were still struggling to process the events.
Meelis let out a weak chuckle, wincing at the movement. "Yeah, that was one hell of a test, huh?" He paused, wiping his brow with his sleeve. "I didn't expect Odin to go that hard, honestly. I was ready for challenges, but that was a trial I could barely scrape my way through."
Issei shook his head, his gaze distant as he mulled over the experience. "I don't know how you even managed to stand through that. His aura was like standing in the middle of a hurricane… no, worse than that, I can't even sense anything, yet I felt that, it felt like those animes where the villain transforms into their final form and all the heroes are scared. I thought for sure you were going to be wiped out."
Meelis gave him a wry smile, looking up at the stars that began to scatter across the sky. "I wasn't sure I was going to make it either. But you know… sometimes you just have to push through when there's no other choice."
'Although Meelis was not really worried about dying, he was still a bit worried about failing and Odin not giving him the branch, so in a way there were things at stake.'
As Meelis thought of that he also thought back to Issei, 'Although he's an idiot, and an annoying pervert, Issei isn't so bad, guess it's his main character status or something, either way I don't think that'll stop me from taking the Boosted Gear, though it seems Odin's noticed it too, so that complicates things, though I wasn't really planning on murdering Issei, I guess the only real option would be to remove the Boosted Gear, it is a Longinus after all, and Issei as a main character is not someone I want to let my guard down against, so crippling him in some way is the best option, it does make me feel slightly guilty towards Issei but I care more for myself than him.'
They walked in silence for a few more minutes, Meelis pulling his cloak tighter against himself as the cold began to settle in.
"So," Issei finally said, his voice hesitant, "what happens now? Odin said the branch of Yggdrasil will be yours tomorrow. Do you know what you're going to do with it?"
Meelis took a moment to think, staring into the dark expanse of the trees as they passed. "I have my goals," he said quietly. "But let's just say that for now, having that will make my life a whole lot easier."
Issei looked at him curiously, his voice low. "Easier, huh, well I don't really get it but good for you man."
Meelis chuckled again, though it came out as more of a groan this time. "Well, I can't say I was really expecting you too."
They continued walking in silence, the distant sounds of the forest filling in the gaps.
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LP: 500
Devil Nobility Class: Low, Mid, High, Ultimate, Special (these are the actual cannon rankings of DxD)
Devil Strength Rank: Low(F), Mid(E), High(D), Ultimate(C), Satan(B-), Maxed Longinus(B), Dragon Kings(B+), Heavenly Dragons/Super Devils(A), Indra/Shiva(A+), Ophis/Red(S+ to EX)