That One Time I Married A Crazy Goddess

They all sat at the table, the workers still spoiling Xyenn and Yuuna's baby, and the baby burping and almost setting them on fire as they laughed.

But the Tyrants had explained everything: Gabriel's Ladder, The Lysfødt arrival, Soulcaris, the witch, Parcy, the Sun-Drake, cultists, the Blood Maidens, and Quinara. And the plans of the Sun-Drake wanting to be reborn through her baby so he could avoid the Cycle of Rebirth and ascend higher than the other dragon gods. And possibly being manipulated by the elder dragon deities, to see if this would work, so they could even maybe try it themselves. 

Gridd, rubbing his beard, nodded, "That's all…troublesome, lads. If one can find a way to avoid the Cycle, it would make Yuuna a wee bit safe. But there's other forces that threaten em' as well. Death himself especially, as Yuuna mentioned the bastard may want to come back and settle the score with Xyenn. The Lysfødt, wantin' to kill Yuuna and take her heart so they could secure and use it to possibly bring Gabriel the First Dragon back. And then with my encounter with them Prophets..I swear they're not even human. I can tell what they are. But they claim to read the future of all things, seein' a future where Xyenn and Yuuna were supposed to die at Gabriel's Ladder. And I fear that what ye mentioned about some Parcy witch woman, trying to connect the link to Hell and Kyrrin..Yuuna's Father will come for her. It's right for them to stop whatever's going on down there."

Draeven spoke, his eyes weary from exhaustion after that long trip to Gabriel's Ladder to reach Vördrheim. "The odds are against us, aren't they?"

Sethrak confirmed, "Hmph. Even if they are. Xyenn and Yuuna won't go down easily. That goes for the rest of us. Have we all forgotten what we promised to Yuuna? I'm ashamed."

Zyphira, with her head down, replied, "Fight until we collapse..such a badass quote."

Illyana added with a nod and a peaceful smile, "We did promise that. In blood actually. It hurt very badly, haha.."

Sethrak and Zyphira whispered to each other:

"She really said that with a smile.."

"I knew she was insane, I told you, didn't I?!"

Gridd then asked what they were actually doing here, and Then, Kivorn, answered him truthfully, "Yuuna and Xyenn…wants us to stay in Vördrheim, to help out…with everything. Just in case, war happens…"

Gridd chuckled, "Yeah, ye' lot are right on time, aren't ya? Wars brewin definitely. Haldrek went crazy and slaughtered the Velmire leaders."

Illyana gasped, covering her mouth, "Oh goodness no.."

Zyphira crossed her arms, stating, "Huhhh? Why would he kill them? Wait, don't answer that. Nevermind. I've seen enough of what he's capable of. Even fighting my Xyenn.."

Sethrak, Illyana, Kivorn, and Draeven looked at Zyphira and said, "YOUR Xyenn?"

Zyphira waved her hands, "Wait wait wait, I didn't mean it like that! He's just too adorable and I hate to see him bloodied up to a bitch like Haldrek."

Gridd added, "Yep. Haldrek killed those nobles. And he took his daughter and darted off somewhere. Most likely, he's gonna get desperate. The bastard even tried to get me to make enchanted weapons to give out to innocents. The fuckin' audacity…he's getting impatient, a war might brew."

Sethrak asked, "Don't you worry, dwarf?"

"About what, lad?"

"The safety of that dwarf clan of yours. Haldrek is unpredictable when it comes to his actions."

"That's why I gotta hurry with what I'm about to do, dragonkin. We've been notified of a noble family member that's alive, the last leader. An abandoned son of Syrus. He might be be able kill Haldrek before he does anythin' that could threaten the lives of my clan, this child, and Vördrheim itself. And it was a man's dying' wish. As a being of honor, I allowed myself to follow it."

Kivorn asked, "Does this…abandoned son have..some insane power…to kill a 400 year old draconic vessel…?"

"Seems so."

"Where is he, we can help you find him." Illyana asked Gridd with a soft tone. 

And he replied, "Jörvaldr. Svarthelm. And we gotta get a Ram Horn and enchant it on the spot. Haldrek goin' crazy set off a short fuse, and before it can speed up the process of a war breakin' out, he has to die. These people in Vördrheim don't deserve to be in the middle of this. At first it was all about raiding the Land of Conquest, but now it might happen here with how desperate he's gettin', he might destroy everythin' himself. With how easily he killed the Velmires, he could do it. I need all yer help. I don't wanna take any risks. I wanna move fast, find the abandoned son, and kill Haldrek. And I'm worried for my own clan, and that baby boy. I can't take the risk of Haldrek destroying everything, especially after I rejected his proposal."

Zyphira and Sethrak silently gasped, their expressions fractured with shock.

Sethrak, his eyes wide, clenched his fists on the table, saying, "You go. We'll stay."

Zyphira added, "I can't go back there. Sorry, dwarf man Gridd. I can't…I still can't even get over what the fuck we went through there. Take Draeven and the others."

Gridd closed his eyes, "I understand, lass. Even though ye two are evildoers, I know ye two would help under any other circumstance."

"Mhm." Zyphira mumbled.

'Going back to the place where I suffered the most. The place that made me begin to become addicted to other things instead of reality, to try and protect my mind from it….imagine if I went back…? I wouldn't be able to handle it. And Sethrak…knowing how he doesn't care about himself and only me, would lose it.'

Illyana stood up, and said, "No. We're all going. I don't want us to separate again. It's time I say this now, while I was hesitant for a while."

"Illyana…" Draeven added.

"We've seen Xyenn struggle, and struggle with himself. His battles, his internal ones…you saw what I saw at the ritual with the witch. He was determined to face his fears and issues, hoping he could congratulate himself for surviving and enduring them in the end. Though he has a long way to go, he's not running from what's chasing him. He's fighting it."

Zyphira looked away, and Sethrak did as well, his fist trembling. Zyphira held her brother's fist tightly.

Illayam continued, "Same for you two. There's only so far we can run until we just give the hell up. Like Yuuna did many times but she kept going. Why? Because she wants to live, not die. How can we call ourselves gods slaying Tyrants and face deities  and we can't even face our own issues? I told you all, I hate division. I hate seeing you all down in the dumps, I do. I like peace when it's time for it."

Zyphira said with intensity, "Can't just run and fight your problems..it's not that easy. I can just get drunk over and over and forget about it all. That's when I'm happiest. Or when I'm asleep..

"You say it but you don't mean it, Zyphira."

"…That man…the king is our father there, I was only a child when he tried to take advantage of me. I was only a KID. Looking at me with those lusty old beady fucking eyes. Fat old bastard was so obsessed with wanting me and Sethrak to take over, he wanted to leave that continent for good and explore and shit. Knowing he wasn't going to come back anyway. He was crazed with making sure we were prepared to handle taking over everything he left. Even though that man had dozens of wives. He's a lusting hornball. I hate him. If I see him again.."

Sethrak stood up, and walked out, leaving the pub and standing outside as the afternoon sun glared upon his skin.

He looked out into the distance, thinking, 'I don't care what happens to me. I live to make sure Zyphira stays well, and by my side. Am I failing her? Letting her drink herself to death all the time, watching her drown herself in mead just to forget everything? Am I a good brother for watching her forget her trauma, or am I bad for letting her face her issues this way? Is there a way I can help her? Dammit! Shit is conflicting…why? Illyana is saying things I should be saying, right? Maybe I just didn't want her to look back at the past no matter what, no matter if she died with a flask of mead in her hand. Fuck…what is wrong with me…? If I saw myself in my position, what would I think of myself? A good brother? Why am I just now realizing…that I'm not doing my job? Do I face her issues with her? By her side as her brother? Will we even be at peace if we go back? If we see father, do we kill him? Will I be satisfied? Because as soon as we step back home, he'll sense us, he'll know we're there. There's no way we won't encounter him. If that vessel Xyenn can face what's thrown at him when it all seems impossible, why can't I? This can't be me thinking all of this, right? It can't be!'

Kivorn and Draeven stood at the threshold of the door, watching Sethrak. Both of them whispering and arguing with each other about who's gonna go try and talk to Sethrak.

"You go!" Draeven spouted with a whispering tone.

Kivorn yawned, "This isn't…my time to shine. Go…"

"I-I'm not good at comforting people!"

Walking through the doors, we're Gridd and Illyana, and Gridd explained, "If ye don't wanna tag along, ye don't gotta—."

"You know what?" Sethrak chuckled. "What am I even doing? This isn't gonna sound like me. We're the only ones who can guide you to Gabriel's Ladder, it's faster but it'll take a day. I won't look like a weakling around any of you fools. Me and Zyphira will go and face this. If it means the death of Haldrek, you'll need all of us, dwarf."

Zyphira said to Sethrak, "Brother! I can't! If we go back there, father will sense us easily!"

"And? So what? We're gonna kill the bastard if he tries anything. We'll move fast and make it quick."

'Face our trauma..huh? Such a stupid thing. Sounds dumb and weak. But here I am about to do it. Even though Zyphira's drunkenness, I see the pain still in her eyes. Just never focused on it too hard, it ruined my mood. I can't let Xyenn show me up.'

Zyphira threw a punch at Sethrak, but Sethrak stopped it with his hand, grinning, "You probably hate me now, but I don't care. Can't run anymore, can we?"

Zyphira just looked at him, and sighed, "…If we see him, we kill him, okay? And his dragon god. Promise…?"

"Will killing our tormentor cure us, you think?"

Gridd nodded, "In this case, damn right it will. We're all in the same boat. Gives us all the more reason to carry this out. Haldrek killed the Velmires, when he knew he needed them greatly, they're a great asset to anything war related. If he killed them and didn't even try to raise them, he'll do anything at this point. I can still feel the bastards rage somehow….that damned glare. Let's hurry."

Continent Of Soulcaris

Bards Grove

The air seemed to hum as Xyenn and his group approached the Bard's Grove. It wasn't the natural hum of cicadas or the distant rushing of rivers, but something magical—a low, resonant vibration that felt alive. The towering trees surrounding the town formed a dense canopy, their leaves shimmering with faint hues of green and gold, as though kissed by sunlight that no longer reached them.  

The Grove itself rested beneath this perpetual shade, its streets lined with smooth, polished stones that glowed faintly with an inner light. Buildings were tall and spindly, crafted from dark wood and twisting vines, their roofs sloping into sharp, musical curves resembling the necks of lutes or violins. The entire town seemed to sway gently, as if the structures themselves were dancing to an unheard melody.  

Suspended high in the air above the Grove, a shimmering dome of faintly glowing notes floated in a slow, swirling rhythm, forming the **Shaded Barrier**. It kept the town cloaked in shadow, sheltering it from the oppressive light of the sun. The notes spun in spirals, some drifting softly to the ground like falling leaves, where they dissolved into faint echoes of music.  

Everywhere, the Bards of the Grove bustled about, their movements fluid and oddly coordinated, as though every step, every gesture, was part of a larger composition. Some played instruments, their fingers gliding over strings or tapping out rhythms on drums, while others sang hauntingly beautiful melodies. These weren't idle performances, however—their magic was woven into the notes, their songs and dances sustaining the barrier that protected the town.  

As Xyenn, Yuuna, Gorran, and Mertha entered the Grove, they were immediately struck by its vibrancy. Bards of all shapes and sizes moved with purpose, their magic flowing effortlessly through their instruments, songs, and dances.  

A group of Bards worked together near the edge of the barrier, their voices rising in a harmonious chant as they spun in a circle. Each Bard held an instrument—a flute, a harp, a violin—and as they played, bright, golden notes drifted upward to reinforce the barrier above. One Bard, a young man with wild green hair, grinned at his companion.  

"Careful,," he teased, his voice carrying a sing-song tone. "You're flat again. The last thing we need is a wobbly barrier."  

A slender woman with a tambourine, playfully smacked him on the arm. "Flat? You're the one who keeps lagging on the tempo! Haha! Let's just enjoy this!"

The two laughed, their banter blending seamlessly with the music around them.  

In another corner, a group of children danced in a line, their movements clumsy but joyful. A tall Bard played a lively jig on his fiddle, his feet tapping in perfect rhythm as colorful sparks burst from the strings with each bow stroke.  

Yuuna, her dark pink eyes sparkling, darted forward, tugging Xyenn along by his arm. "Look at this!" she exclaimed, pointing to a trio of Bards juggling glowing, floating orbs that chimed softly each time they were caught. "And over there! Look at that guy—he's playing a harp with fire! Actual fire!"  

Xyenn groaned, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. "AGH! ARE YA TRYING TO RIP MY ARM OFF?!"

Yuuna turned to him, grinning mischievously. "Maybe! But This place is amazing! Even you can't pretend this isn't cool."  

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Xyenn found himself chuckling despite himself. "It's too happy here…'

'It's strange…in a way. Something doesn't feel right. We gotta find this Quinara woman, she has to be here or under?'

LYuuna gasped and yanked him toward a stall where a Bard chef was flipping sizzling disks of glowing blue dough into the air.  

Meanwhile, Mertha and Gorran walked a few paces behind. Mertha, ever the stoic and battle-hardened warrior, found herself surprisingly enchanted by the Grove's energy. Her sharp eyes scanned the bustling streets, noting how seamlessly the Bards' magic enhanced their daily lives. A group of Bards used their voices to levitate crates of supplies, their harmonized humming creating a soft, pulsing glow around the objects.  

"This place..." Mertha murmured, her voice tinged with rare wonder. "It's... alive."  

Gorran, however, was less impressed. His hand rested on the hilt of his massive blade, Xenith, and his golden eyes flicked suspiciously from one Bard to the next. A group of performers twirled past, their tambourines jingling as they tried to coax him into joining their dance.  

"Back up," Gorran growled, halfway drawing Xenith.  "Or die."

One of the Bards, a cheerful woman with a feathered hat, gasped dramatically. "Oh, my! Such a dark and brooding stranger! Surely even you can't resist the call of music and joy!"  

"I can, and I will," Gorran snapped, his tone cold.  

Mertha smirked, crossing her arms. "Relax, Gorran. They're harmless….right?"

Gorran shot her a glare. "Tch. This place doesn't seem weird to you?"

"Damn I would hate to be wrong, I don't know. When I see happy people, it warms my heart, ya know?"

"Gross. Focus on the mission.

"Aye Aye, captain."

"Disgusting."

Yuuna finally let go of Xyenn, her attention stolen by a group of Bard chefs performing an elaborate culinary display. They danced gracefully around a massive stove, their movements precise and rhythmic. Each chef played an instrument—a lute, a flute, and even a set of bongos—while singing in perfect harmony. Their music infused the ingredients with magic, causing them to glow and float through the air.  

One of the chefs, a portly man with a booming voice, greeted Yuuna and Xyenn with a wide grin. "Welcome, travelers! What can I craft for you? Something sweet? Something savory? Perhaps a dish that sings in your mouth?"  

Yuuna clapped her hands excitedly. "Nothing can sing in my mouth like Xyenn can, but—."

Xyenn covered Yuuna's mouth; blushing all over.

"TOO MUCH INFO! TOO MUCH INFO TO THESE STRANGERS." Xyenn panicked with a nervous smile.

Yuuna licked Xyenn's hand with a tap from her tongue, knowing how he would react. Xyenn moved his hand fast, squealing like a girl.

Yuuna then looked at the chefs, finishing, "Make Something spicy! Like, really spicy!"

Xyenn sighed, shaking his head. "Something simple for me. Just meat. Lots of it."  

The chefs nodded, launching into a lively jig as they began preparing the dishes. The sound of their instruments filled the air, and the food itself seemed to dance along with them.  

Xyenn glared at everything around him, hearing the songs and instruments, the chatter, the children, the laughter..and the Bards and their magic. 

'Feels like someone is right her behind me, but there's no one there…how can Yuuna not mention this? Or does she notice as well? Magic feels heavier every second.'

Xyenn whispered to Yuuna, "Yuuna, you feel that don't you?"

"Yes. The woman we're looking for is DEFINITELY here. Just gotta play into it, we'll find her."

"Think they're holding her captive?"

"Probably to support that barrier protecting this town. It's too much of a coincidence. Such a pity honestly."

Xyenn thought, 'We came to the conclusion that Quinara was able to avoid those who are coming for all this time, and able to not get touched by the suns gaze from the Sun-Drake. But if she got caught finally, how strong are these people?'

As the day stretched on, the group found themselves swept up in the Grove's festivities. A festival was in full swing, with performers on every corner, their music enchanting and intoxicating. It wasn't long before Xyenn, Yuuna, Mertha, and even Gorran found themselves singing and dancing along, their movements dictated by invisible strings of magic.  

Xyenn tried to resist, his face a mask of frustration as he stomped in rhythm to a jaunty tune. "No... this is wrong. I don't dance. I don't sing."  

Yuuna twirled past him, laughing. "Lighten up, darling! You're actually kinda good at this!"  

Mertha, to everyone's surprise, was enjoying herself immensely, her stoic demeanor melting away as she spun with remarkable grace. Gorran, however, looked like he was in physical pain, his face twisted into a grimace as he half-heartedly clapped along to the beat.  

"I'm gonna kill someone," Gorran muttered, though a faint smile betrayed his enjoyment.  

Xyenn, noticing the smile, pointed at him. "No... Gorran, don't you dare. Don't you dare enjoy this."  

Gorran replied, "Damn…brat! I hate this…!"

Mertha gritted her teeth as she danced, "Magic..damned bards magic…it's messing with us!"

'Powerful enough to even influence Yuuna? Or maybe Yuuna is playing all along this entire time? She's already crazy enough!'

The music abruptly shifted, the notes growing darker, more haunting. A figure stepped onto a raised platform at the center of the Grove, drawing all eyes.  

Damsel, the head of the Bard's Grove, was a striking figure. His hair was a mesmerizing mix of silver and midnight blue, cascading down his back like a waterfall of moonlight and shadow. His eyes shimmered with an otherworldly light, one silver, the other gold. He wore a flowing coat of deep crimson and black, embroidered with patterns of musical notes that seemed to move and shift.  

In his hands was a harp crafted from bone and obsidian, its strings glowing faintly as he plucked them. His music was both beautiful and unnerving, each note vibrating with power.  

"Welcome to the Bard's Grove," Damsel said, his voice smooth and melodic. "I am Damsel, and this is my domain. I trust you've been enjoying our hospitality."

Beside him stood his wife, a woman with hair that mirrored his own, though hers was braided with silver threads that glimmered like starlight. Her eyes were a piercing violet, and her movements were as graceful as a dancer's. She wore a flowing gown of sapphire and gold, her presence both alluring and dangerous.  

"I see you've caught the rhythm of our town," Damsel continued, his gaze lingering on Xyenn. "Perhaps my wife can help you... settle in."  

The woman stepped forward, her voice a seductive melody. "Choose one of us," she purred, gesturing to a group of dancers. "Make them your concubine, and we shall celebrate your arrival properly."  

One of the dancers approached Xyenn, her movements sensual and deliberate. She brushed against him, her voice a soft whisper as she sang, "Why resist? Let the music take you..."  

Xyenn's face remained stoic, though his lips moved as he sang along, his tone angry and defiant.  

Yuuna, however, was not amused. Her dark pink eyes flared red, burning with jealousy and fury. "Get your grubby fucking hands off him," she growled, her voice cutting through the music like a blade.  

Yuuna shattered the spell easily, her aura of darkness flaring around her. 

Yuuna then zipped in speed, dashing towards the danced in Xyenn, and with a manic smile, she slashed the woman with her claws, and ripped the woman's head off brutally, blood spraying everywhere as Yuuna slid on the ground still holding the head.

Yuuna held the head towards Damsel, "Where is Quinara?"

Damsel smiled, "Oh dear..you've killed my mistress. That one was good."

Damsel sang one note, and the woman's body concisely and her body glowed bright, as music played from her corpse, and formed into a glistening violin, and someone was holding it, a child, saying, "Yay!! I got a new powerful instrument!"

Yuuna gritted her teeth, and Xyenn said, "That magic…!"

'Turned her corpse into an instrument? No, a weapon? I can feel such wrath in that instrument, they're gonna use it on us…'

Damsel grinned, "What a pity, thinking you can come in here and ruin the happiness we share? A happiness you probably never experience in your little lifetime."

Yuuna grabbed Xyenn, her arm wrapping around his back, hugging him close,, and held him, saying, "This is it right here! My happiness is this funny boy right here, you bastards! And screw all your little evil bastard children! All those instruments are people… aren't they?"

"Awww, they are. We survive because the pregnant Quinara woman guides us too. We won't let anyone have her."