Long ago... About 2000 years ago. There was a region by the name of Elyngard... which was as well, the capital. A city, a kingdom filled with beautiful places and people. Diversing into more then just one. Asgardis, Lianhua, Tsukinoshima, and Raet'Khet. One day, There was a entity that was unknown.... Taking away what the people, considered home. But there was a few gods that were willing to stop this unknown figure of power. And succeeded in doing so.
After such victory, and seeing the thankfulness from the humans. The gods decided to come down from their homes. Conquering a region they have made of their own. With Legions; Teams of adventurers. Who were chosen by the gods.
And in this. Lies the tale of heroes against their society. A tale of many emotions. But most importantly; weave through the impossible... what happens that I say such? Well....
[It was a morning in the wonderful city of Elyngard. Where the lights shine bright upon the city, Lies someone in a cloak. Climbing up a steep mountain, panting with each grab and pull. After awhile of struggle. They pull themselves to the top, putting their hands on their knees almost instinctively. Trying to catch their breath. Before looking up to see they're standing on top of a mountain, Just a few miles away, from where gods and goddesses share life with ordinary folk.]
"Phew! Gods, I need a break. I've been hiking for the last three hours in a cloak, and it had to be black to attract more heat, didn't it?" She says as she pants. But is mesmerized at the view. Mainly at the sight of the dungeons
"So, this is Elyngard?" They say as they pull down the hoodie of the cloak. Revealing a girl with marvelous, red hair. Cut into a wolf cut. With baby blue eyes. "I need to take a closer look." They say as she put on their hood Once more back on her head. Slowly and awkwardly trying to get down the tall mountain. Hilariously slipping a little. But managing to recover seconds later. "W-woah!"
One trip downtrail later.... The girl in the cloak reaches Elyngard. Pulling out a map that was attached to a belt that was holding onto her cloak. Opening it, she looks at it. Her eyes roaming the map. "Hmm..." She hums for a little awhile, Before she points at a specific spot on the map. Pointing at a logo that looks like a compass. "Mhm! Found it. Where's the adventurers guild..." They look up at her surroundings, trying to find the exact same logo. Which she find with ease. "Ah, The Everhart luck never runs out, does it?" They say with a little grin on their face as they run to the adventurers guild.
However of course it was never going to be as easy as that....
She accidentally bump into a brute, the brute looks back at the person. Intimidated by the man's height and buffness, they move back. Waving their hands dismissively. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you I-"
"Oh, no worries. It's alright!" The brute grins assuringly. "It happens too much at this time of the year."
"What happens in this time of the year that there is all of these people? I never thought Elyngard would be this busy, especially at this time!" She said. Having to push and roughhouse just to get enough space to even stand still through the waves of people, who's outfits scream Adventurers.
"Well, until now, Legions had only the max of 5 people. And Apparently, now it can be 6. Giving more people the chance to join the dream."
"Legions? I don't know any, but by any chance. Do you know who and where I can find Dante Koryu?"
"Hm? Dante? He's a friendly guy. He's honestly the most respected. But watch out, he's a troublemaker at times. You sure you wanna find hi-" The brute is cut off,as another brute accidentally bumps into one another.
"Hey! watch it, buddy!"
"You watch it. And I'm not your buddy!"
"Fine by me!" they say at once as they swing punches at each other, with this person in the middle.
"Ah!" She yelps, ducking under the attack. And then running away from the scene. "Alright, seriously. What the heck?!"
After escaping what escalated into a fight. She sighs. "Guess I'm just gonna have to find him myself."
[Meanwhile the sun was high in the sky. There was a Mansion on top of the hill, with a view that you can see everything and everywhere from. Inside, a little girl opens the windows to a room. Before looking towards the bed that seems to twitch and rustle.]
"Big Bro! Wakey, Wakey! Eggs and Bakey!" The little girl spoke. With a grin, she throws herself at her big brother on the bed. Who seems to lay sideways. And then flips to otherside suddenly hearing the Youthful and energetic voice of the girl. Making her fall off the bed. "Wo-Wahhh!"
She hits the ground with a loud thud. Grunting as she do so. Rubbing the back of her head as she groans. An annoyed look on her face appears, when she sees her brother rustling and mumbling to himself incomprehensible stuff. A little smile on his face, the boy looks nothing alike to his little sister, the thing that gives it away is the fact he has silver hair.
"Mmm...." He murmurs. His little sister growls in anger. Hearing the growls. He opens his eyes slowly, his red eyes gleaming a little in the sunlight, blinking a few times. Before realizing he's about to get pounced. "Huh...? Wait- Li-"
"Dante! Wake. Up!!" She says as she jumps onto his stomach. Her small size accumulates perfectly for her to kick her brothers stomach. Leaving him out of air. "Hugh!" He groans. The situation not helping him as he hit his head against the wall. Holding his head. "Ow!"
"Get up already! You've slept enough!" She crosses her arms. Pouting.
Dante sits up, stretching his arms. Groaning at her surprise hit this early in the morning "Augh... Lili, Was that necessary?" He holds his head. Rubbing it with a winced eye.
"Mhm, Mhm!" She nods vigorously. A excited look on her face.
"Huh, Tell me something I don't know." Dante crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall behind his bed. "If it's pancakes, there's no ingredients to make any." He says with a sketchy look on his face.
"How do you have more than 8 years of adventurer experience, and don't know what today is!?" Lili holds her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, I wish I can stare at a calendar the whole day at home, waiting for my brother to bring food too." He says, his voice dripped in Sarcasm.
"Ugh, Dante! It's the beginning of the legion trials for another person to join!"
"Right now, we don't even have the minimum to even do legion trials. Yumi is currently training, Thorne is in a high maintenance Jail somewhere. And I'm just kind of helping ourselves by getting crystals in exchange for Elysian With the help of the dungeon crawls. No more then two; no trials. Sorry, Sis." He shrugs.
"Aww..." She looks down for awhile, and lets out a huff. "Hmph. You're so overprotective, i hate it!" "Oh c'mon, Lili don't-" However it was too late, Lili shut the door to Dante's room in frustration. Leaving Dante in his Pajamas. "..."
He stands up, stretching his arms. "Ah...Great, my little sister is taking dreams to another level." Dante opens his closet, Looking at the set of clothes he's going to wear. And throws it towards the bed. Before he grabs a white and black chestplate. and throws it aside the clothes, he then grabs a small, black backpack, putting stuff like white tape, a med kit, nnd hilariously enough, another set of clothes.
"Can't have minotaurs ripping half of my shirt again, and it being the talk of the day." Dante gears up. Putting on a very amateur outfit, Including a black long sleeve shirt, on top of a brown hip length coat, that has a black patch on the right side of his chest, with black pants that cling onto his hips with a black leather belt with a white buckle, with brown, shin high boots.
"Hm." He clicks on the chest plate which is strapped on, by wrapping it's black straps around his shoulders and rib cage.
"Lili, Last chance! I have to go, it's either i make the pancakes or-" As Dante turns his head to face the door, his eyes catch something that makes them gleam. It's a photo, with a man holding two children, that being the likes of Dante and Lili. He narrowed his eyes at the picture hanging on the wall, despite it's awful maintenance.
"This is still hanging around? I thought it broke!" Dante puts his thumb on the man's face, rubbing the dust off to see his grinning face. And it brings a small smile on his face.
footsteps are heard behind a door, where knocking is heard. "Leave me alone!" Lili's voice is heard. But despite the warning Dante enters her dorm. "Hey. Wanna come with me? I think there's something in store for..."
".... the both of us." Dante says as he looks at his little sister, currently curled up and hiding under a blanket. Use to her childish, and questionable antics. He has a raised eyebrow, mixed with a look of disbelief.
"Seriously?"
He comments, Before a smirk appears on the corner of his mouth, his eyes crinkling with mischief. "Oh well. Guess my sister doesn't wanna go out on an adventure; Shame." He shrugs with a smug look on his face. Before he closes the door, loud enough for her to hear her brother just left her. Squirming and popping her head out of the covers. She screams, "What?!"
"Huh, guess she really didn't wanna go." Dante leaves the mansion , looking up at the window where light shines into her dorm. Not seeing anything, he walks up and puts his ear against the door to the mansion, trying to hear any sounds of his sister rustling around the house. But doesn't hear anything. He looks away with a sheepish look on his face. "All of that for nothing? Noted."
As Dante starts to walk away from the mansion, he hears a loud yelp. "Ow!!"
"We're the same blood for a reason, No?" He smirks in amusement as the door of the mansion is busted open.
"RAH!! Where are we going!?" Lili screams, she put on a tunic, with black pants. with black boots, and a hood over her outfit. Dante can only chuckled in amusement.
"Took you long enough," He grinned. "Hope your ready, because we're going to-"
"AHHH!!!!!" Lili lets out a war cry as she runs off and down the mountain,
"Lili?!" Dante says as he runs after his little sister. Tumbling down as he tripped with the help of a rock, "W-woah!!"
[Meanwhile, the girl in the cloak was dancing around the adventurers guild. Asking for this silver haired man. Which was currently an explosion of sound. Including grown men and women wailing for more beer, the sound of people talking loudly and laughing in their conversations, and a lot of people arguing as they go up to the quest board.]
"Hey! Scram! This one's mine!" One of the adventurers lifted their task up high in pride.
From a far, lies the girl in the cloak. Having a conversation with the guild staff.
"Sorry, no Elysian; No Legion trials." Quipped the guild staff. Crossing her arms with a deadpan look on her face. "Those are the rules."
"Ugh, Seriously? Is there anyway I can exchange my runes for-"
"Nope. Sorry." She walked away. Leaving the girl drowning in annoyance.
Moments later, the girl was looking at the scene with a uncomfortable and annoyed look on her face underneath the cloak. Fidgeting as she sat there.
"Ugh. The smell of beer is awful here. And I thought nobles drank a lot in parties; this is just an occasion...."
"They just ignored me when I asked about this guy who I don't even know if he can help me with my problem..." She says with a look of fatigue. She sighed with a sheepish look on her face.
"Hm?"
"Woah!" She ducked under a flying cup of mead. Which splattered on the wall. A meaty, big, beast of a man. with his stomach out and only leathered armor. laughs loudly at her shocked look.
"Haha! Watch it, girlie. Can't get your cloak dirty now, can you?" He laughs again. While she grumbled.
"Jerk!" When she said that. It's almost as the entire adventurers guild only let out a gasp and a silent comment on the situation, and put a zipper in their mouth right after. She looked around, confused as to why the people stopped.
"Oh?" He tilted his head. He stands up from the table. The man, big in form of height. Towering over the girl who was annoyed by her. "Feeling brave now, aren't we?"
He put his big, booted, foot on the table. Resting his arm on his knee. "And who are you to rant words about me like that? Nonetheless..." He leaned forward. Almost trying to tell her a message she never knew. "An anonymous woman?"
He got his foot off the table and cracked his neck. "Not that you're any different."
"What does that have to do with anything?" She narrows her eyes in annoyance at his choice of words. "How about you chug some more of that drink?"
"It's enough you don't know what you're talking about. How about you distance yourself from the truth?"
"Oh?"
"And what's the truth?" He says with a look of amusement on his face. Having fun with the current conflict.
"That you're no hero in a story." She came closer to him. The whole guild let out a another gasp. Almost as if they knew her fate, when he grumbled silently at her words. But smirked.
"Nice choice of words."
"Don't matter." He laughs at her words. Holding his stomach as he does so.
"Speaking of dreams."
A voice calls out. Sliding a cup of mead in between the big guys legs. "Huh?" Before he suddenly trips with a kick to the leg. Landing face first with a grunt.
"How about you get yourself back in there." Says Dante. Putting a finger to his mouth. Making a 'shush' gesture with a little smirk on his face. he whole guild cheers loudly, "I think she can teach you a thing or two; Like not making enemies quicker then drinking your beer."
"It's Dante!"
"Yeah, yeah. The hair and eyes gives it away, doesn't it?" He says with his shrugging his shoulders. His hands making a unanswerable gesture. A grin on his face as he does so. But the girl. Hearing this. She's found the person she's been looking for. Right in front of her.
"Dante! Thanks for beating up the big guy. He's been onto much mead!"
"Remind me why are we surprised again?" Dante asked the bystanders of the scene. Turning around at the sight of the girl. "You alright there?"
"Yeah! Go, big brother!!" Lili cheered as she stands on the table. "Woo!!"
The girl in the cloak stood there. Looking at the guy she's been calling out to for the last hour throughout the guild. She responds to his concern. "Yeah, I'm alright."
"(He's been here the whole time?!)" she thought to herself in annoyance. Her calm response twisted. "(And here I was! Asking people. And he appears right there and then!)"
"Great, sorry for the big guy incident." Dante says as he walks away. Gesturing Lili to come with him. "C'mon, Lili."
"I didn't know my brother could drop a giant like that so fast!" Lili said as she caught up to her brother. Some of the guild members started to jump the big guy that messed with the girl in the cloak. As all of this was basically restored. The girl called his name. Her hand to reach out to him. "Wait!"
But it was too late; He had faded into the massive amounts of people in the guild. "Ugh. I hate this..." She groaned.
"Mr.Koryu!" She calls out as she pushes and crashes through the people. "We need to talk!"
Meanwhile the girl seeks his name out. It was muffled by the words of Dante. Who was having a conversation with Lili.
"Lili, stop attracting a crowd. Seriously." He Poked her cheek, as she let out a 'hmph' with another pout. "Can I NOT. Be proud of my brother?"
"You can. Maybe Next time cheer with your eyes? The guild hates when the members fight each other, I told you this!"
"Well, I was tumbling down the mountain! Not my fault I couldn't hear you!" Lili whined at her older brother.
"Please! A noble woman wants to speak with you!"
Hearing these words. Dante looks around. As well as his eavesdropping little sister. "Hm?" They say in unison. Raising an eyebrow in sync.
"The Everhart family wants your help..." The girl says silently. But loud enough for Dante to hear. His eyes widen at her words.
"(Everhart? As in the highest of the nobles? What would they want with me?)"
"Everha-" As soon as Dante was about to question. The girl puts a hand on his mouth. Looking around anxiously.
"Wait! How about we discuss that somewhere more private, Hmm?" She tries to look calm about the situation. Confusing both Dante and Lili. The two looking at each other for elaboration.
"Wow, for a Legion household. This doesn't look bad at all!"
Dante chuckles. "Yeah. Welcome to the Athena Legion!" Dante says with a little smile on his face. His hands on his hips in pride for this mansion.
"This, is the Athena Legion? The god of wisdom?"
"Bingo!" He says with a grin. looking around, before leaning into whisper. "She's not as great as her name calls it to be. She's scary."
"Right?" Lili agreed with a grin on her face. The Mansion was warm and stately, lit by the soft glow of a crackling fire in the stone fireplace. A long wooden table, surrounded by six red-upholstered chairs, sat in the center on a deep red rug. Nearby, a plush red sofa faced the hearth, adding to the cozy atmosphere. Stone walls, dark wood paneling, and decorative banners gave the room a touch of elegance, with sconces casting a soft light over the Mansion's living room.
"Really...?" She whispers back. "The more you know, the better."
"Rude. You're still a guest, you know?" He retorts, taking off his coat and putting it into the side. Comically enough it lands on his sisters face. "Hey!" She gives him a look of anger. "Watch where you're throwing!" She lifts her arm up in complaint. Dante lifting his hands up dismissively. "My bad!"
"Anyways, Where do you come from?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm from Asgardis." She says as she puts a hand on her cheek. Like it's daily for her. However, for Dante it isn't. He looks back at her with wide eyes.
"Asgardis? As in where the Odin Legion is at?"
"Yup," she confirms, "I've heard a lot about these Legions. From... basically anyone else, What are they?" She tilts her head. Her hand stilling lying on her head.
"Seriously? People in Asgardis also live under a rock?" He says giving her a funny look on his face.
"And look who was saying rude all this time." She says with a sketchy look on her face, giving him the side eye.
"Legions are Elite groups of adventurers or what they call "Children." are chosen by gods. Gods are everything no matter where you go. They give you their blessing, guidance, and are basically your number one friend."
"Not only that; They awaken powers called Innate techniques. Putting you apart society, to be one of few. The rest who have powers are because of weapons that are imbued with innate energy."
"That's belittling." She claims, "I got my powers apparently since I was a child."
"What? How come?"
"Apparently, my family is tied very closely to the Odin Legion. And if it's true what you said, then I was given powers by the all-father."
"Of course it- wait,what?!" Dante says with a flabbergasted look on his face.
"And I'm not from the Odin Legion. I really don't know how that came to come..." She chuckled sheepishly,
"Hm. That's weird."
"Anyways, why did you want to talk to me again?" He tilts his head. Sitting down in front of her with his arms crossed.
"Oh, right."
"Recently the Everhart family isn't doing well since the death of Queen Maribelle. And my dad, Alexis Everhart. Is kind of losing his mind, and I'm starting to see bad things for the future of my family."
"Family? The Everhart lives in Asgardis. And your dad is..." As Dante was hooking up the dots. It finally made a picture to his mind.
"Wait. You're royalty?" As he said says that. He tenses up a little. But for all the wrong reasons. It's a knock on the door.
"Dante! I think you have a little something we both might want. How about you open the door for me so we can talk, hmm?"
"Quinzel..." Dante narrows his eyes. While the girl looks surprised.
"Quinzel?!" She repeats his words, confusing Dante. "You know him?"
"Quinzel Akaba? Yeah, he used to be a good friend of course And then he left for something to pursue a dream or something." She says with a sense of panic.
"Us?"
"Uh...."
"Well, you just confirmed you're royalty." He says. And Quinzel busts through the door with a kick. Causing Lili to yelp and Jump. Dante looks over at Lili, giving her a nod that she understands. Running into her room.
"Quinzel!"
"Ahh, Lina. Happy to see you after so long." He says with a warm smile. The man has rose gold colored hair. his hair tied in a man bun. With a few strands covering his left eye. The eye exposed is just closed completely. Wearing a black hoodie with gold trimmings on the hood. With the logo of a woman's side profile. With pink pants and black boots. And has a metal arm.
"What do you want?" Dante asks his tone full of wary and questions. Getting into a stance.
"You really don't know?"
"Don't let this get into another fight over your arrogance and loyalty to this Legion, Koryu."
"I'm not in the mood for such." He says as he crosses his arms. Looking over at Lina. "But I will say this."
He says as he spreads his arms invitingly. "Lina. You already who I am. Came back home; and I think you won't see a dark future for everyone in this room. How does that sound?" He asks tilting his head with a soft smile on his face.
Lina stood there. Thinking about the case she's in. Thinking about all the awful things she burdens. And it didn't take her long to come with her answer. "No! I don't want to go back there. You'd understand if you were in my situation; But you aren't. I will never look at my fathers face again."
"..."
"Hm." His smile faded at her response. Turning deadpan. "Being polite never works, does it?"
"No is not a choice here."
"There's always a choice." Dante interrupts. His eyebrows furrowing. A look of seriousness on his face. Surprising Lina by his defense.
"Oh? And who are you to decide that?"
"You think you can just walk in here, throw some sweet words around, and force her hand? You really don't know me—or her."
He takes a step forward, his eyes narrowing with conviction.
"Lina's already made her choice, and it's not yours to question. You got a problem with that?" His voice turns colder, a hint of challenge behind it. "Then you're not walking out of here without dealing with me first."
Dante remains calm, but the underlying threat is clear. He isn't afraid of Quinzel, even if there's history or power behind him. Dante's priority is to ensure that Lina's choice is respected, and he wouldn't hesitate to physically defend her if necessary. However Lina decides to intervene.
"I can handle this for myself." She says as she looks over at Dante. Dante puts his hands up and backs up a bit.
"Quinzel.... You wouldn't know anything about my father's plan with me. Or you. If I told you why I'm here, that'll only blind you more."
"And what makes you think you know more about me, princess? Nonetheless, who are you until now, to decide such things?" Quinzel says with a hint of annoyance and anger at her arrogance.
"You'd know less then me." She says as she puts a hand on her chest. "My father isn't the man who you think he is! He's engulfed by wealth, power, wrath, I don't even know if he can be the king of Asgardis..."
"Hm." Quinzel hums, "Well, that settled that."
"Koryu, You know what's in store for you; Do you really want to go along with her idea knowing all of the knowledge you just received?" He tilts his head. The lock of hair covering his eye is exposed. Showing a mark on his cheek, and has an amber eye. "You've seen the light. Why get closer to the sun?"
"If you know my moves, you know I'm going to wreck you." Dante says with a hint of anger and determination.
"..."
"Should've known it would lead up to this with a person of the likes of you. Let me get something straight here.." He says as he walks to the side of Dante. Before looking away. A hidden meaning in his face...
"You stand no chance!"
Quinzel says as he stomps on the floor.
"!!" Dante looks down seeing a light gleam underneath him. But it's too fast to react. He's sent flying from a pillar summoning from the ground. Busting through the roof and high into the blue sky.
"Dante!" She shouts. Lili coming out of her room as she heard the loud sound of Dante yelling. "Was that my brother?!"
"Yeah!"
"(He doesn't even know me and he's helping me; what is he thinking?!)" She thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Dante was flying. Looking around for his enemy. Still in shock and currently knocked out of balance, causing him to spin and flip around. "Augh!" He grunts. Desparelty trying to find control. But a powerful gust of wind knocks the little control he had.
"Fool!!" Quinzel shouts. Grabbing Dante by his coats collar, "I don't think you understand what's in stakes for me!"
"What do you mean?!" He asks grabbing his wrists. "What's in stake for you?"
"YOU haven't seen what I've seen! But she gets to see the bright side of it all! And I'm in the darkness!"
"That man is a MONSTER; it's self explanatory."
"And you're not helping!"
"What makes you think I'll believe a member of the Freya Legion?"
"I've fallen into too many holes; this one isn't gonna be one of them." He says as he punches him in the face. But Quinzel doesn't let go.
"Fine! Let me dig it for you." Quinzel says as he uses his feet. And with immense strength launches Dante down. "Woah!!" Dante flies down to Elyngard.
Meanwhile, in Elyngard. There's a little boy, walking around with his mother. Not knowing the dangers to come.
"Mommy, Mommy! Can we get this?" He says as he points at a plush.
"Sorry, sweetie. But we're only getting things for dinner. Maybe another time?"
"Aww." He pouts. "Why~!" He whines. Looking up at his mother. But as he's looking up. On both mother and son, a shadow lies above the two. "Huh?"
"Oh my god. Sweetie, watch out!" She says as she dives and holds her child. Dante landing where they were supposedly. Tumbling and rag dolling across the streets. People moving out of the way to avoid getting hit. Slowing down with each passing moment. He twirls around and lands on his feet. Using his gloved hand to kill his momentum.
"Hngh... What's wrong with this guy?"
Quinzel mechanical hand is engulfed in lightning. And he uses it to punch the ground. Causing a massive shockwave around him. Which Dante quickly handsprings up in the air. Having enough air time to dodge the destruction of the shockwave.
"You're freaking me out, Quinzel. I know Freya's team members have some sort of craze to them, but I never expected you to be this desperate, it's not like you. what's going on?"
"If I talk; I'm dead. Simple as that."
"But if this is a fight to the death. You're a deadman!" He says as he launches a powerful gust of wind at Dante as he's mid air. Causing him to hit a light pole back first. Causing Dante to grunt, squinting his eyes to seize the pain. "Augh!"
As he opens his eyes. He sees a bolt of lighting coming at him. And quickly grabs onto the pole to pull himself up and onto a building that happened to be beside of him. "We'll see about that!" He says as he runs up it and jumps off at the end with a twist that makes him dodge another powerful strike of lighting as he dives backwards.
"Argh." Quinzel Grumbles as Dante dodges his attack. "Huh?" He says as he sees a silhouette of something. And it's a dagger. However. It misses Quinzel. Almost purposely. He already knew what was coming; But it was too late.
Dante flies down and lands a powerful kick to his face. Causing him to groan. Dante slides after having such fast momentum.
"Clever and Arrogant. Both can't beat me."
Quinzel says as he turns around. Wiping the blood off of his nose with the back of his hand.
"Both'll be the reason for your loss!"
"It's a part of my charm, isn't it?" Dante says, however Quinzel is already on the attack. Lunging in with a punch, which Dante parries and elbows him in a rapid fashion, with the same hand he parried with, he pulls him in for a head kick which Quinzel grabs. Pulling his shirt to head butt him in the face. Before grabbing Dante's leg to throw him. But Dante with his agility spins around and in a fast maneuver uses his legs as scissors and tightly grasping him by the neck. Using his speedy momentum to twirl and twist around. Before launching heizou to the ground with a takedown, with which a flip Quinzel quickly recovers.
"A few good hits won't do anything for you!"
He says as he looks around. However when he spots Dante. Dante was already making his move. With his strength, he swiftly slapped the ground. Causing a dust cloud.
"Agh!"
Quinzel grunts. His eye sight being covered by the dust. He coughs and wheezes a bit. He used the element of wind to dissipate the dust.
"Stop hiding. Come towards me!"
"With pleasure!" Dante tackled Quinzel with a grunt. The two skilled warriors rolling on the ground. But Quinzel tried to spring up as Dante was hovering over him. However it wasn't going to be as simple as that. Dante leaned back and handspringed himself into a backflip. Quinzel stomped on the ground. Summoning a pillar which he kicks pieces of to launch at Dante. Who skillfully dodges until he grabs one and launches one at Quinzel. Which stops as soon as it was going to essentially hit him.
"Really?" Quinzel muses,
"Crap!" That same piece of the pillar grows into a full on pillar which is launched at Dante with incredible speed. Sending him flying.
[Amidst the chaos they're not even in, is Lili and Lina. Reaching the city of Elyngard. The two run towards the scene.]
"What's his problem with my brother!?" Lili asks as she runs alongside Lina.
"I don't know. Apparently your brother knows more about him then i do. But I've grown up with him since we were kids. And he's gotten along with my father; I don't understand!"
"Well whatever his plans are. He's strong! He has the power of the elements!" Lili says as she sees Dante and Quinzel battle it out. With Quinzel destroying multiple buildings with blasts of fire, wind, lightning, and earth.
"W-wah!!" Dante yells as he's sent flying again. This time flying into a cathedral. "No, no, no, no!!"
Dante,crashes into the cathedral with an explosive amount of force. The people underneath the flying Dante scream in fear as plenty of debris was suppose to land on them. However, Dante's quicker then that. He perfectly spins around and controls his momentum enough to the point he uses the debris of the crashing cathedral to use as a surf board. Sliding through the city. Meanwhile the debris that was suppose to fall on the people is sucked up by a flying Quinzel. The wind sucking up massive pieces of nearby buildings. Dante weaving side to side to dodge the ones coming close to him.
"Stay still!" Quinzel said with anger in his voice. Gritting his teeth as he was about to launch a full on ball of buildings.
"Really?" Dante said with a cocky grin, "I don't think it'll be as simple as that." He says as he grips onto the debris he was sliding with and does a backflip. Mid-flip, he launches it at Quinzel.
However it was never going to do that much. It just got swallowed in the ball of wind.
"Uh oh." Dante regrets deeply, as Quinzel launches it at Dante like a meteor. With Dante covering himself to minimize the damage on the attack. Causing a powerful explosion.
"How many times do I have to repeat this, when everyone else tells you the same; You and your Legion is everything that's WRONG in this city!"
There was a dark and deep silence among the massive amount of dust accumulated. Lina watched in absolute shock and horror that a childhood friend of hers would kill someone with such little patience. While Lili screamed out for her brother.
"Big Bro!!" She cried for her brother.
Lina watched this little girl, who she didn't know in the slightest. Face the darkest thing a person can go though. And narrowed her eyes in frustration, repent, and sadness all at once.
"Quinzel!!" She screamed as she got in front of the debris of what was Dante.
"I'll go home! Please! Let these people be!"
Quinzel was up in the air. Panting for air after being exhausted fighting what was to him. "Mere human..." He mumbled under his breath.
He looks back at Lina. "So you've made your decision; Great."
"I told you there was consequences to your actions-"
Quinzel was cut off quickly as he heard a rumble that he wish was just a hallucination. He looked back at the building that is now smashed by the meteor of debris that was picked up.
"You know..." He punched a hole through the debris with his fist.
"I was going to say the same thing to you." Says Dante as a explosion of power erupts. The debris sent flying as Dante was freed. On one knee with scratches, ripped clothing, and maybe bruised in any other part of his body. Bleeding through his head which drips down his face. But in the end....
He stood up.
"What?!" Quinzel ranted. "How?!"
"You've always sought knowledge, Quinzel." Dante grabbed a piece of metal that was shaped almost like a bat.
"So I'm gonna teach you not to mess with me. Or the Athena Legion!" He said with a wide smirk on his face.
Quinzel was flabbergasted, "(how could someone possible survive that? Nonetheless keep up and hasn't even used a single bit of his innate technique?! That's it.)"
"Fool! You'll swallow those words without chewing them!"
"Well..."
"Give it your best shot!" Dante said with a little smirk on his face. Getting into stance.
Quinzel raised his hand, feeling the familiar surge of energy as the elements began to gather around him. The air around him crackled with electricity, sparks jumping from his fingertips, while the temperature spiked with the heat of roaring flames. A low rumble echoed beneath his feet as chunks of the earth began to rise, swirling into the growing storm. The wind whipped furiously, feeding the chaos as it spiraled higher.
"Innate skill: Elemental Crash!"
With a sharp motion, Quinzel brought his hand crashing down. In an instant, the elements obeyed. Fire, electricity, geo, and wind converged, descending upon the battlefield in a single, devastating attack. The sky roared as the flaming vortex twisted with unrestrained power, lightning forking out in blinding arcs. Massive stones, torn from the ground by the sheer force of the geo element, plummeted like meteors.
As the Elemental Crash hurtled toward him, Dante stood firm, his red-tinted eyes narrowing in focus. The chaotic storm of fire, lightning, rock, and wind bore down with unstoppable force, ready to crush everything in its path. In his hand, a simple metal pipe—rusted, worn, a far cry from the weaponry he was accustomed to—yet Dante held it with the confidence of a man wielding a divine blade.
Just as the vortex descended, Dante surged forward, his movements fluid and impossibly fast. The metal embraced in his hand. A golden gleam on the of it as he shouted,
"Counterstrike!" He says as he reflects it back at Quinzel, with incredible speed and strength. Shocking Quinzel. He quickly tries to take as least damage from the attack by covering himself. But fails miserably as the attack explodes on him. Looking like there's a rainbow dent in the sky.
"Wah!? Did he just-" Lina looks up at the sky. Dazzled by the action in front of her; The big guy wasn't lying when he said he's respected. And it's for a reason.
"That's my brother for ya." Lili says with a smug look on her face.
Lina looks over at Dante. Who looked at the sky with a look of with of seriousness on his face. He dropped the metal pipe. Before he looks at his sister. Who gives a thumbs up. To which after a puzzled look on his face. Grins back.
"Heh!"
He gives a thumbs up back.
In a castle, near the chaos that happened. A woman observed the battle from the shadows, her presence unnoticed amid the chaos. As Dante grinned at his sister, Freya's eyes gleamed with a dangerous, calculating intensity. She stood up from her comforting crossed legged position, and stepped forward, her voice low and silky as it cut through the air like a knife.
"Magnificent," she whispered, a cold smile curving her lips. "To survive such devastation with mere will and a broken weapon... Dante Koryu, you're still as impressive as ever."
Her gaze lingered on him, almost predatory. "Athena's Legion may hold you now, but..." She paused, her voice taking on a darker, more ominous tone, "a talent like yours belongs in my ranks. It's only a matter of time before you realize where your true power lies."
"My Goddess, we've been planning for this. But never do we do it. Is it time?" Asks a man who's the size of a Minotaur, with muscles that look like they're going to explode. A headband on his forehead, as well as gauntlets. Only with a dark brown tank top and black pants with brown boots. A claymore to fit his height. This was Caius Stone. A level 8 adventurer.
Freya turned, her eyes glancing up at the sky, as if she could see the threads of fate winding around them. "Soon enough, I'll make sure of it." With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving only her chilling words behind.
[In the aftermath of the fight. Dante had bandages all over his face, the three walking towards the Athena Legion hall. The sun laying its pink gaze on Elyngard.]
"So, we're not going to talk about how cool that was?!" Lili says with a giant grin on her face as she walked backwards in front of her brother.
"Don't bother." He says with an amused look on his face, while Lina was beside him.
"I think I've never seen someone as calm as Quinzel, be that desperate."
"It scares me." She says as she looks down in thought at the remembrance of the fight.
"Yeah. How do you know him, again?" He questioned, tilting his head.
"He's a part of another noble family, he was a childhood friend of mine. I know he left to find something that wasn't in Asgardis. But I didn't think he'd be doing all of this."
"Yeah, some legions don't have the best gods."
"Freya's Legion is full of monsters. They're extremely strong and some are twisted or always have something against other adventurers, or sometimes even themselves."
"One way or another, they come in form of an old friend." He says with a serious look in his eyes,
"How come?"
"Trouble."
"Other then maybe the Legion, Caius but that's only so people think they're not crazy." Dante shrugs dismissively,
"Hah." Lina muses with a smug look.
"Brother, Brother! What are you going to make to eat?" Lili asks with a excited look on his face, her eyes gleaming in joy. Her belly grumbling as it desires food.
"Well... I'm afraid I won't be able to answer that." He says with a feigned look of embarrassment. Which Lili comically believes,
"Aww..." she pouts. Clutching her stomach.
"Unless you can beat me to the Legion hall?" He says with a little smile on his face as he raised a challenge, as well as a eyebrow.
"Huh?" She says bewildered. But then, she grins widely at her brothers antics, "Okay; Last one there has to tell Athena that we broke the ceiling!"
She says as she cackles with joy, pushing her brother. But her brother has a look of horror.
"Wait— what?!" He yelps as he runs after his little sister. He does not want Athena to know a thing! Which makes Lina chuckle.
But as she was chuckling and hearing the desperate screams of Dante towards Lili, who was cackling like a maniac. She couldn't help but look back at the city. Her mind running with thoughts as she sees the lights that in a way look like stars from how far away and up they are from it.
"I caused all of this." She mumbled to herself silently. "This is going to be the start of a new part in my life and in a way; it feels bittersweet."
She told herself, looking at the pink hue which is the sky. But then, she remembers the words of her father.
The pink hue of the sky felt far too gentle for the turmoil that suddenly churned within her. She bit her lip, her hands resting on the stone balcony, but the warmth of the sunset couldn't soothe the coldness in her heart.
Her father's voice echoed in her mind. It was so sharp, so biting, it felt like he was there with her again, looming over her as he always did.
"You think you're ready for any of this, Lina?!" he had roared once, towering above her small form in the grand hall. His face had been twisted in disgust. "You're a disappointment to this family. You'll never be the mage your mother was. Stop pretending you're anything more than a liability."
She had stood there, frozen in place, trembling. She remembered the way her heart had raced, the way her hands had clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms as if the pain could somehow drown out his words. But it hadn't.
"I expected more from the Everhart bloodline. You don't even deserve the title of princess."
He had spat the word princess like it was something vile, something unworthy of her. Lina had never known what to say in those moments, so she said nothing. She had learned early that speaking up only made things worse. He would always find something more to tear apart.
A gust of wind pulled her from the memory, and she shivered, her grip tightening on the stone railing. She hated how those words still had power over her, how they clung to her like chains. She stared at the pink sky, the colors once so comforting now feeling distant, like they belonged to another world.
Her friends were still laughing behind her, blissfully unaware of the war raging inside her.
"I'm not that girl anymore," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm not."
But deep down, a part of her still wondered if her father had been right. If she was only pretending. If she would always fall short of the expectations she could never escape.
As the sun dipped lower and the pink faded into a deeper, darker hue, Lina closed her eyes. Her father's voice echoed one last time, a shadow she couldn't quite shake.
"Useless."
She exhaled slowly, forcing the memory back into the dark corner of her mind where it belonged.
"Lina! You coming?" Dante called as he grabbed his sister who was kicking, squirming and screaming.
"I wanna win!!" Lili shouts,
Lina opened her eyes, blinking away the haze of the past. She turned back to the present, forcing a small smile as she looked at the two siblings.
"Yeah," she called out, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'm coming."
[At the Athena Legion hall, Where there was a hole in the ceiling due to the powerful force of Quinzel, was currently a place to eat food at, with plenty of food to eat.]
"Dig in!" Dante grinned as he served Lili a bowl of curfew. Which she devoured like a feral animal. Lina terrified at the sight. "Is that your sister or an animal?!"
"Both." He said with a sheepish look on his face. "What do you expect from a little girl who all she does is talk to herself and in her own imagination?"
"Hey! If you were in my realm, I'd even beat you!" She says as she has a mouthful of food in her mouth. To which Dante throws a napkin at her face. Laughing. "Knowing you; I'd still beat you in a dream." He said with an amused look on his face.
"Hmph!" She huffed and continue to eat the food. While Lina herself was having a great feast.
"Wow, this is seriously the best curfew I've had. And I'm royalty!" She says with a little grin on her face as she munches on the meal.
"Hey. You never know if it was me cooking in the kitchen."
"Really?"
"You never know." He shrugged. Chuckling as he ate the curfew he made himself. "Mmph. Man, this is good!"
"I really outdid myself on this one." He said muffledly. While talking and chewing at once. Of course it had to happen; he bit his toungue. Causing him to let out a muffled yelp. "Hm!!!" He covered his mouth. Lili laughing at her brothers clumsiness.
"That's karma for grabbing me!" She giggled with a wide, cheerful grin on her face.
"Wanna see how quick I finish the servings so you don't have any?"
"No!!" She screams as like the world was going to end. Making Dante laugh.
"Okay, okay, fatty. You'll have the rest."
"Yay!" She lifted her arms up high in the sky. Like she won the lottery or something alike. But it's food that'll probably get cold.
Lina can only giggle in amusement at the siblings playful banter.
[After dinner, Dante let Lili go outside to chase and catch the wilderness around her The night air was cool, and the soft orange glow of the sunset bathed the area in warmth. He glanced at Lina, who stood a few feet away, her eyes lost in thought as she gazed out at the fading sky. He had only known her for a very short time, but there was a quiet strength about her, something deeper that he hadn't quite figured out yet.]
He cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them. "You've been quiet for a while. Everything okay?"
Lina blinked, as if pulled from her thoughts. She turned her head slightly toward him, offering a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just thinking," she said softly. "About my father."
Dante raised an eyebrow. He wasn't expecting that. Their conversations up until now had been light, focused on the Legion and the upcoming challenges, but this was different. There was a weight to her words, something that made him hesitate.
"Your father, huh?" he asked carefully, sensing the shift in the mood. "Not the best memories, I'm guessing?"
Lina gave a short, bitter laugh. "Not exactly. He... wasn't the kind of man you look up to. More like the kind of man you run from."
Dante remained silent, letting her continue at her own pace. He didn't know much about her past, but he could see the pain etched in her face. Whatever her father had done, it had left scars.
"I want to take him down," Lina said suddenly, her voice sharper than before. She turned fully toward Dante now, her eyes hard with determination. "I need to."
Dante's eyes widened slightly. This was no small statement. "You're serious about that, huh?"
She nodded, crossing her arms as if bracing herself. "You don't know what he's done... what he is doing. My father controls everything in our kingdom. He manipulates people, uses them for his own gain, and anyone who stands in his way..." Her voice trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging in the air. "He tore me apart as a child, and I've spent my entire life trying to live up to standards I could never meet."
Dante shifted, leaning a bit closer. "Standards from your father?"
Lina hesitated, then nodded. "And my mother." She sighed, her voice softer now. "My mother was a great mage. A legend. Everyone in the kingdom looked up to her, admired her strength and her magic. But before she died, she told me something I've never been able to forget. She said I needed to be better than her. That I had to surpass her."
Dante frowned, feeling the weight of her words. "That's a lot to ask of anyone," he said gently. "Especially from someone who's already dealing with all that pressure."
"I know." Lina's fists clenched at her sides. "But it's all I've thought about for years. My father used her words against me. He made me feel like I'd never be enough—like I wasn't strong enough to carry her legacy, to be anything more than a disappointment. And maybe for a while, I believed him. But not anymore."
Dante felt a surge of respect for her. This wasn't just about revenge or proving something to her father; it was about freeing herself from the chains of her past. He knew that feeling well. "So, taking him down is about more than just stopping him, huh? It's about proving to yourself that you're stronger than he thinks you are."
Lina nodded, her jaw tight with determination. "I have to do it, Dante. I can't keep living under his shadow, under my mother's shadow. I need to be better. I will be better."
Dante shifted slightly, choosing his words carefully. "You've got a long road ahead of you. Taking down someone like your father... it's not going to be easy."
"I know," Lina replied, her voice steady. "But I'm not asking for easy. I'm asking for a chance to prove myself—to show that I can stand on my own. That I'm not just the weak girl he made me out to be."
Dante smiled faintly. He barely knew Lina, but he could see that fire in her eyes, that drive to rise above everything that had been thrown at her. "Well, I don't know much about your father, but I can tell you this—I think you've got more strength in you than you realize."
Lina's eyes softened for a moment as she looked at him, and for the first time, the weight in her expression seemed to lift just a little. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice quiet. "I appreciate that."
Dante gave a small nod, then glanced back toward the horizon. leaving only a soft glow on the edge of the sky. "I guess we both have things to prove," he said thoughtfully. "I'm still figuring out who I am in all this, too. But, for what it's worth, I think people can be more than just their past. More than your parents' legacies."
Lina turned to him, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, there was silence between them, the unspoken understanding passing in the quiet evening air.
"Maybe we'll figure it out together," she said, her voice lighter now.
Dante smirked. "Sounds like a plan."
Dante stood up. Stretching his arms out. Finding a new found sense of purpose. "Ah... I think we should get the Athena Legion back together. I might have a few ideas on where a couple close friends are at."
"Good." She said with a little nod and smile on her face. In a way, his confidence went to hers. "We're going to need as much help as we can. Heimdall isn't going to be easy to stop at all-"
Dante's confidence faltered for a half a millisecond as he heard the name Heimdall. Is she crazy?!
"... I'm sorry can you repeat that?" He said with a flabbergasted look on his face. Not believing the words he's been told whatsoever.
"...Oh." She remembers what she forget to tell the silver haired man. "Did I ever tell you that the Everhart's guard is the god of foresight?"
"You're telling me the Watchman of the Aesir, Herald of Ragnarök. Is the guardian of your palace!?"
"Aha..." She looks away nervously at his words. Not remembering the prestigious titles that the god with the power of the future had.
"...Ah...." Dante sighed. Facepalming in disbelief. "You're lucky we have a god that can maybe fight back against the likes of him."
"Phew! I thought that was going to be the end of my quest." She put a hand on her chest. Sighing with a sheepish look on her face.
"...Hm." He smirked a little. "I have a few experiences with gods. I think We'll be just fine."
"DANTE AND LILIAN KORYU!" A voice shouts from the distance of their home. Causing Lina to gasp at the voice. But to Dante and Lili, who were frozen in fear. Was nothing close.
"Why did I hear news, About the fact you engaged in combat with a member of the Freya Legion!?" Said the voice. Leading to a tall woman with a staff. With long, brunette hair which is tied in a half bun with her hair braided on the sides and brown eyes. And you can tell this is a goddess by her outfit.