That One Time I Married A Crazy Goddess

Chapter 37: Chapter 35: Blood Maidens



The domain of the Bloodmaidens was a confined, crypt-like cavern that seemed to pulse with life, though that life was unnaturally tied to the rivers of blood flowing through its structure. The walls were jagged and uneven, carved from dark stone that glistened with a sheen of blood. Veins of crimson light pulsed through the walls, forming intricate networks of runes that wove across the stone in mesmerizing patterns. The floor was slick with a thin layer of blood, and deep pools dotted the space, their surfaces unnaturally still, reflecting the faint red glow of the room. The ceiling hung low, dripping blood in a rhythmic cadence, the droplets falling into the pools below with a sound that echoed faintly, as though the cavern itself were breathing.

The Bloodmaidens moved through the space with a liquid grace, their forms constantly shifting between solid and fluid states. Some others were humanoid in shape, distinctly feminine, but their bodies were entirely composed of blood. The liquid that made up their forms dripped endlessly, though it always reconstituted itself, never diminishing. Their movements were unnervingly silent, and their faces were featureless save for faint impressions of eyes and mouths that shifted as they spoke. Their voices were haunting yet elegant, carrying a dialect that was unlike anything natural—tones laced with an ancient, almost musical cadence, similar to a dreadful choir. Their words felt heavy, as though each syllable carried a ritualistic significance. "The blood is not lost," one murmured, her voice soft yet resonant, like a whisper carried on a breeze. "It remembers its purpose. Through the runes, we return it to form. Life is eternal when bound to the flow."

The runes themselves were carved into the very fabric of the crypt, etched into the walls, the floors, and even the surfaces of the pools. Each rune was a work of art, a complex arrangement of sharp lines, curves, and geometric patterns that seemed to hum faintly with energy. They glowed with a soft crimson light, their designs shifting subtly as though alive. Some were small and simple, while others were sprawling, covering entire walls with their intricate designs. Here are a few examples of the runes:

ᛉ†ᛎᚺ This rune resembled a jagged "X" crossed by two vertical lines, with small spirals extending from the ends of each arm. It glowed faintly, pulsing in time with the heartbeat-like rhythm of the crypt. This rune was used to extract the essence of blood from the dead, pulling it into the pools to be reshaped. 

ᛃ⦿᛬⧫ A circular rune, its center marked by a perfect dot surrounded by concentric rings. Sharp, angular lines radiated outward, intersected by smaller crescents that formed a star-like pattern around the edges. This rune was a binding sigil, used to weave the blood of the dead into new forms, reshaping it into Bloodmaidens. 

⧉ᛂ⦵† A triangular rune, its base jagged and uneven, with a crescent moon cradled within its center. Small, branching lines extended outward like veins, connecting to smaller runes around it. This rune was used to purify blood, severing curses or corruption within its flow.

The Bloodmaidens worked tirelessly, their hands moving with deliberate precision as they traced these runes into the air. The blood obeyed their will, rising from the pools in streams that twisted and coiled into the shapes of the runes before settling into the stone. Each movement was accompanied by soft murmurs, their voices blending into a strange, haunting melody. "The blood flows, and with it, the memory of life," one whispered as she shaped a rune in the air. "Through the runes, it is reborn. Through the flow, it is eternal."

At the far end of the crypt, Gorran stood with his arms crossed, scowling as he eyed the Bloodmaidens approaching him. His armor was stained with blood, dark streaks running down his side from the wounds he stubbornly refused to let them treat. 

"No."

The Bloodmaidens only laughed at him, laughing in a weird way that sounded like something popping loudly.

One of the Bloodmaidens extended a hand toward him, her fingers dripping with blood that coalesced into a glowing rune in her palm. The rune was jagged and angular, resembling a fractured circle with sharp lines cutting through its center. It pulsed faintly as she spoke, her voice calm and melodic. "Your wounds weaken the flow. The blood will mend you, as it mends all things."

Gorran sneered, drawing Xenith from its sheath with a sharp metallic hiss. "I don't need your weird blood magic," he growled, pointing the blade at her. "Keep that dripping nonsense away from me."

The Bloodmaiden laughed and tilted her head slightly, her featureless face rippling as though in amusement. "You bleed, yet you refuse the flow. The stubbornness of the living is endless."

Gorran swung Xenith in a wide arc, the blade humming with dark energy as it cut through the air. "I said, keep it away!" he barked, his voice edged with irritation. The Bloodmaidens stepped back slightly laughing still, their forms rippling as though offended, but they did not retreat entirely.

Mertha, watching the scene with her usual stoic intensity, rolled her eyes and stepped forward. Without a word, she grabbed Gorran in a crushing bear hug, lifting him off the ground as though he weighed nothing. Gorran's composure shattered instantly, his legs kicking wildly as his eyes widened in panic. "Mertha! You oaf! Put me down! PUT ME DOWN!" he shouted, his voice rising to an undignified squeal.

Mertha smirked faintly, her tone calm but laced with amusement. "Stop squirming, Gorran. You're going to make it worse."

The Bloodmaidens took their chance, laughing even more, stepping forward and pressing glowing runes against Gorran's wounds. The light flared brightly as the runes activated, their shapes shifting and pulsating as they sealed the injuries with eerie precision. Gorran let out a strangled yelp, his face turning red with fury as he glared at Mertha. "Tch! I'll slaughter everyone!"

Mertha finally released him, letting him drop to the floor with a thud. Gorran scrambled to his feet, his face a mixture of embarrassment and rage. "This isn't over," he muttered darkly, sheathing Xenith with a sharp click.

Mertha patted him on the back, saying, "Hmmm what's gotten into you, old man?"

"What? This is how I usually act."

"You acted a little flustered earlier, like you were enjoying it. Those Bloodmaidens clearly laughed at you, and you acted like—."

"I didn't enjoy it!"

"Sure sure, what happened back at the sanctuary?"

"….Nosey, aren't you?"

"You know me!"

"…Xyenn asked me to train him. My own rival. My nemesis. Asking me? He wants both of us to train him at the same time."

"Let me guess. He did something reckless and dangerous because he didn't wanna lose?"

"You already know."

"I know him too well. I'm surprised YOU out of all people accepted his training proposal."

"Tsk! It's not like I had a choice. Kid was barely clinging to life. Like I used to…I saw that damn look in his eye. A look of desperation. A look I always had, a look I was always praised for. But I was determined to make my family proud of me, I was spoiled rotten to the core. I wanted to get even stronger to keep hearing it. Made me actually feel loved. I'm adopted, and—wait!"

Mertha was just listening, with a shocked face, saying, "No way you're actually telling me your backstory!"

"Damn you! Forget I said anything!"

"No wait! Come back! Keep going!"

"I'll kill you!" 

"Haha! Wait up! You don't even know where to go!"

"I'll slice my way out!"

At the center of the crypt, Quinara lay on a stone table, her pregnant form surrounded by several Bloodmaidens who worked with a reverence that bordered on worship. They placed glowing flowers along her body, their petals shimmering with silvery light that seemed to pulse in time with the blood runes carved into the table. These flowers were no ordinary plants—they were infused with the blessing of the Moon Goddess, their essence steeped in lunar energy. The petals were soft and translucent, like thin sheets of glass, and their stems glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.

The Bloodmaidens whispered as they worked, their voices low and rhythmic, like a chant woven from ancient secrets. "The moonlight binds the blood, severing the flame's corruption," one murmured, her hands tracing a circular rune on Quinara's abdomen. The rune glowed brighter as the flowers' essence seeped into it, their light merging with the blood to purify it. "The curse is in the flow, tied to the threads of life. Through the moon's blessing, we unravel its hold."

The runes carved into the table were complex and beautiful, their shapes resembling constellations traced in blood. One rune, shaped like an elongated crescent moon with jagged lines branching outward, pulsed faintly as it absorbed the energy of the flowers. Another, a perfect circle divided by sharp, angular lines, flared brightly as the Bloodmaidens pressed their hands against it, channeling the lunar energy into Quinara's veins. The blood carried the essence of the moonlight, spreading through her body and severing the curse's hold with each pulse.

Meanwhile, Xyenn sat in a pool of steaming water near the edge of the crypt, the heat soothing his body as he leaned back against the smooth stone. The hot spring shimmered faintly, its surface alive with swirling crimson motes of light that danced just beneath the water. The spring was lined with glowing runes, their shapes resembling flowing rivers of blood that converged into sharp, angular patterns. These runes were designed to finalize the healing process, binding the body and soul together through the energy of the water.

Xyenn thought, 'We joined them without hesitation, basically it was Yuuna who just came old us not to be scared of them as she can smell someone on them. Which was super weird but whatever. Yuuna picked the flowers off Parcy and gave it the BloodMaidens. Apparently, it seemed Parcy kept the flowers so she couldn't be stopped by someone trying to stop her from connecting the link. She just needed some leverage, something to hold off anyone, she must've figured the dragon god of the sun would be born during her task, and she was probably right. It was a good use of a dire situation, and she needed something the cultists had. It wasn't an ordinary tree branch. And Yuuna was even holding her mask, but when I asked her about it, she basically ignored me and started talking to the Bloodmaidens. Yuuna won't tell me what she and Parcy talked about. Why? Does she not want me to worry?'

The warmth of the spring seeped into Xyenn's muscles, relaxing him as he closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. But his peace was interrupted as a group of Bloodmaidens approached, their forms rippling faintly as they moved toward the edge of the spring. One of them stepped forward and spoke, her voice smooth and melodic. "The waters heal, yet the flow completes. Shall we join, to mend what remains undone?"

Xyenn's eyes snapped open, and he sat up quickly, his face flushing. "No thanks! I'm fine! Really, no need for... extra company!" The Bloodmaidens tilted their heads, their featureless faces briefly solidifying as though expressing mild confusion, but before they could insist, Yuuna appeared behind them, her grin wide and unnervingly cheerful.

"Scram, drippy bloody ladies. He's mine," Yuuna said, waving a hand dismissively. The Bloodmaidens hesitated for a moment before rippling back into the shadows of the crypt, their forms melting away as they cackles in the process.

Yuuna turned toward Xyenn, her dark pink eyes glinting mischievously as she began to strip without hesitation. She stepped into the water, the crimson motes swirling around her as she sank into the spring. Moving behind Xyenn, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her chin on his shoulder, her bare breasts pressing against his back.

Xyenn stiffened, his face turning bright red. "Yuuna, what are you—"

"Relax, dummy," Yuuna interrupted, her voice soft and unusually calm. "You're too uptight."

"Is it okay?"

"Hm? For what?"

"To just strip naked here?"

"They won't come back. They already had a glimpse of what I'm like."

Xyenn tried to protest, but the warmth of her body, combined with the heat of the water, made it impossible to stay tense. He let out a breath, the tension melting away as the two of them sat in silence for a moment. The crypt seemed to fade around them, the strange, unsettling atmosphere replaced by a quiet, almost sensual energy.

Yuuna was breathing softly, thinking, 'This is something I want to last forever..but it seems so far away.'

After a few moments, Xyenn frowned slightly, noticing how tightly Yuuna was holding onto him. "Hey," he said softly, glancing over his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Yuuna's voice was quiet, almost sheepish. "I... can't swim."

Xyenn blinked, then let out a soft laugh. "You can't swim? Why are you even in here?"

Yuuna's cheeks flushed faintly as she buried her face in his shoulder. "Shut up. It's fine as long as I hold onto you. Plus, we have a child. Don't be so nervous after literally all we did to each other—."

"HAHA! Yeah! Mhm! Yep! Said that pretty loud, haha." Xyenn chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

For a moment, the two of them simply sat there, the warmth of the water and Yuuna's embrace making the crypt feel a little less grim. The faint glow of the runes around them flickered softly, their light merging with the crimson motes in the spring, creating an atmosphere that, for just a moment, felt peaceful.

The hot spring was like a sanctuary, nestled deep in the heart of the crypt. The crimson light of the runes lining the stone walls cast a soft, warm glow over the water, which swirled lazily with faint red motes, shimmering like scattered embers. The heat seeped into Xyenn's muscles, loosening the knots of tension that had been there for what felt like an eternity. For the first time he felt his body relax—truly relax. 

He leaned against the smooth stone edge of the spring, his hair damp and clinging to his forehead, his breath slow and steady. Across from him, Yuuna sat with her arms locked on Xyenn, her head still resting on his shoulder, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like liquid silk. Her bare skin glistened faintly in the light, her usual manic energy replaced by a rare stillness. The silence between them was comfortable, the kind of silence born from trust and shared hardship. 

Xyenn's gaze flicked toward her, and his stomach did a little flip. Yuuna wasn't doing anything particularly dramatic—she was just sitting there, her eyes closed, her lips set in a soft, content smile—but something about her presence felt overwhelming. Maybe it was the way she carried herself, even in moments like this, with an effortless confidence that made him feel like she belonged in the heat and fire of battle more than in a quiet moment like this. Or maybe it was the fact that he was nineteen, and no amount of training with women, sitting in a hot spring with a beautiful, half-naked woman. A literal dragon goddess. 

It all seemed too good to be true. But this was his reality. 

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look away, his face burning. 

'Why do I still act like this after me and Yuuna did lewd things? It's hard for me to just act normal, especially when I'm not really used to this! But she likes when I act like this—I mean it's not really an act. It's just me.'

Yuuna cracked one eye open and smirked. "You're staring, Xyenn." 

Xyenn jolted, splashing water in his panic. "I wasn't staring!" he blurted, his voice a little too loud. 

Yuuna laughed, the sound light and teasing, and leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Relax, dummy. I'm not going to bite. Unless, of course, you want me to. We could probably do it quick here."

Xyenn groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I can't take you seriously when you're like this." 

Yuuna grinned, but instead of teasing him further, she leaned back again, her eyes drifting to the glowing runes on the walls. For a moment, she looked peaceful—almost serene. 

"This is nice," she murmured, her voice softer now. "Just… sitting here. No monsters trying to eat us, no curses to break, no crazy gods throwing fireballs at us." 

"Yeah," Xyenn said quietly, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "It really is." 

The heat of the water seemed to wrap around them, pulling the weight of their exhaustion into the depths of the spring. Every battle they'd fought together—the days they spent running and bleeding just to survive—all of it felt like it was melting away in the warmth. 

Yuuna sighed deeply, her voice carrying a rare vulnerability. "Sometimes, I forget what it feels like to just… stop." 

Xyenn nodded, his voice quiet. "Feels like the world is standing still just for this." 

For a while, they sat in silence, letting the moment stretch. But then, as if unable to resist, Yuuna's mischievous grin returned. She turned to Xyenn, her pink eyes glinting with amusement. 

"Alright," she said, her tone light and playful. "Let's make this interesting. Tell me something about yourself. Something... normal. What's your favorite thing to eat?" 

Xyenn blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Uh… I guess roasted pheasant. My mother used to make it with honey glaze when I was a kid."

Yuuna's grin widened. "Honey glaze? Fancy boy over here, eating like a noble!" 

"It's not that fancy!" Xyenn protested, his face going red. "It's just good!" 

Yuuna snickered. "Alright, alright. I'll let you off the hook. Me? I'll eat anything. As long as it's not vegetables." 

Xyenn tilted his head. "Wait… you don't like vegetables? At all?" 

"Not even a little," Yuuna said with a dramatic gag. "They're bitter and gross. I'd rather eat dirt." 

Xyenn laughed, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous." 

"Ridiculously honest," Yuuna shot back, grinning. "Alright, next question: what's something you're terrible at?" 

"Uh…" Xyenn hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess… dancing?" 

Yuuna gasped, her eyes wide with mock horror. "You can't dance? Xyenn, this is a tragedy! We need to fix this immediately!" 

"Wait, no—" Xyenn began, but Yuuna was already moving toward him, her grin turning manic. 

"Come on!" she said, grabbing his arms and pulling him upright in the water. "Just follow my lead! One, two, three, one, two, three…" 

"This is not dancing!" Xyenn groaned as Yuuna moved his arms back and forth like a puppet. 

"You're doing great!" Yuuna laughed, her voice loud and gleeful. "Look at you! A real ballroom star!" 

Xyenn's face burned as Yuuna continued to sway his arms, her laughter echoing through the crypt. "This is humiliating," he muttered, though the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself. 

After a few minutes, Yuuna finally released him, collapsing back into the water as she wiped tears from her eyes. "You're hopeless," she said between laughs. 

"And you're insane," Xyenn shot back, though his voice was light, and he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. 

"Of course I am. You love it."

 

Their laughter eventually faded, replaced by a warm, comfortable silence. They drifted closer to each other, their shoulders brushing as they leaned against the edge of the spring. 

"Thanks," Xyenn said quietly after a moment. 

Yuuna glanced at him. "For what?" 

"For… this," he said, gesturing vaguely at the spring. "For making things feel… normal. Even just for a little while." 

Yuuna's expression softened, and she smiled—not her usual mischievous grin, but something gentler. "Anytime, darling. And I had one more question."

"Hm?"

"What is your biggest fear?"

That question silently shocked Xyenn. More like startled, because this was a question he never even asked himself. Xyenn quickly contemplated on whether he should tell Yuuna the truth, or continue hiding his true feelings. But the warmth of her skin and from the spring caused him to just spill it all out, with a sigh.

"I'm scared of a lot of things."

"We got time. Spill."

"Losing. Losing in general, you probably already noticed by now. I'm capable of doing insanely insane shit to win. Even if it kills me. And I hate that about myself. Something I gotta grow out of. Something new to grow from I guess. I made a promise and I tend to keep it. Even the promise I made to Mertha. If I lose, I'm breaking all the promises I made. And I won't let that happen."

"Xyenn…"

Xyenn continued, "I'm scared of losing myself. I have trouble with my own morality. Too many things have happened thus far that challenges the very person I am. I killed bandits and sat on their corpses with a smile and laughed. I felt like a psycho, letting my own past almost take over me. And with Haldrek in my ear, seeing that he keeps saying we're similar, it makes it worse. I don't wanna be a monster."

Yuuna slightly gasped at what he said, but she kept quiet for now.

Xyenn continued, "But I feel like I'm slowly becoming one. And that's what I fear. Too much is at stake, dragon gods are hunting us, and I'm expecting too much. And the last thing I fear is losing you. You're the only one who made me see how great love can be and all that, not to sound cringe or anything. But yeah..after this is all over, I want to build with you and everything. If you perish then so do I, that's how much I'm planning on being close to you. Well, if you die then automatically it's my turn by draconic law. And I don't want any of the Tyrants to die either. Sethrak, Illyana, Zyphira, Mertha, Kivorn, Draeven, and even Gorran. Closest thing I had to having friends."

"What do you really want?"

"What we're feeling right now. Warmth, peace, stillness. All the things that make up my own happiness. But in order to reach it, I have a long way to go. A lot of things I have to fix about myself. What about you? What's your biggest fear—?"

"—Dying. For the first time in like, forever, I feel truly alive. I didn't think helping humans would feel so good. Remember when we fought Death? When you fought as hard as you did even when we weren't merged, it showed me something. Showed me how far you were willing to go to win, to survive. You were helping me, someone who's evil. And even made a promise to me. It also showed me how I've been fighting so hard to stay alive. I told you there were times where I would just think about ripping my own heart out and eating it, but that would be a waste. You hold my heart now, Xyenn. Because of you I'm not the monster I was before. It felt so good when they said I saved someone, it felt super awesome. I don't wanna die, not until I've experienced true peace, by your side. I vowed to myself I'll be trying my hardest to help people, not hurt them unless they fuck with me first, you know this. I wanna keep growing into a being who defied all the odds against her, with the help from her Tyrants and her darling. I wanna keep doing good stuff so I don't revert back to the monster I was just for survival. I just wanna be free. I don't wanna be alone again, not anymore. With you all with me, I feel unstoppable. And when I'm with you alone, I feel safe. It's crazy as hell, I never saw myself falling for a human. Ever."

They sat in silence, both of them even closer to each other now physically, after they both spilled heavy amounts of their feelings and worst fears. A topic that would usually be awkward, but here it was on the lines of both of them basically saying to each other: "I trust you with this."

The moment lingered, warm and quiet, until a deep, rumbling voice broke through the air like thunder: 

"I hope I'm not disturbing." 

Xyenn shot upright, his body tensing as his head whipped toward the shadows. His hand instinctively reached for the sword that wasn't there. 

'I couldn't even sense a presence!'

From the darkness, a small figure emerged—a dragon, no larger than a housecat, composed entirely of shimmering blood. Its body rippled and pulsed as though barely holding its shape, its wings thin and dripping with blood that seemed to evaporate before it hit the ground. Its glowing crimson eyes burned with an ancient intensity, and its voice rumbled again, impossibly deep for such a small creature. 

"I am Orin, the Dragon God of Blood." 

Xyenn stared at the tiny dragon for a moment before letting out a loud, uncontrollable laugh. "That voice… coming out of that?" 

Orin's glowing eyes narrowed, and he bared his tiny fangs. "Silence, mortal! You dare mock me?" 

But Xyenn couldn't stop laughing, clutching his sides as tears streamed down his face. "I'm sorry! I just—ha!—this is too much!" 

Yuuna, on the other hand, remained completely calm. She stood, water cascading off her as black and pink flames erupted around her body, cloaking her bare form. Without a word, she strode toward Orin, her expression unreadable. 

Then, without warning, she smiled in a wide maniac grin, grabbed the dragon by the neck and started shaking him violently. "YOU?! You're the one who said you'd fight me next time?! Look at you! You're tiny! What happened—did you shrink yourself with blood, fool?!" 

"Unhand me, you lunatic!" Orin screeched, his deep voice cracking into a much higher-pitched tone as he flailed in her grasp. 

Yuuna doubled over with laughter, still holding him by the neck. "Oh, THIS is priceless! You're not tough at all, are you? You're just a little blood lizard pretending to be scary!" 

Orin huffed, his voice now entirely unthreatening. "I am ancient and powerful!" 

"Sure you are," Yuuna teased, finally releasing him. "Ancient and adorable." 

Orin straightened himself with as much dignity as he could muster and growled. "Enough. We have important matters to discuss."

"Hm?"

Xyenn asked Yuuna, "Who is that?"

Yuuna, keeping the same smile, pointed at Orin, "Oh! This is Orin! The dragon god of blood. He's an elder dragon deity, like Haldrek and Kragvyr."

Xyenn got tense, saying, "An elder dragon? That means he's our enemy! Right? Or…?"

"Yep! He is! But not right now. If we fought him, we'd definitely get clobbered at our current power!"

Orin grinned in arrogance, "Hmph. Yeah that's right. For right now, we are not enemies. Just a proposal."

Xyenn inspected Orin, thinking, 'So he's the type to act super tough and try to make his voice deep and scary when he's really not like that in reality? But still had the capability to slaughter all of us? And he mentioned a proposal. Yep, he's definitely gonna ask us to do something.'

Xyenn asked Yuuna, "You knew about Orin, but not the Bloodmaidens?"

Orin responded for Yuuna in a deep dark tone, "Foolish human, no one knows of the Bloodmaidens unless they want to be known to certain individuals. That's all I will say for now. Now then, you all are here. Bringing me that Quen woman. The one who has the cursed rune on her body, the Mark Of The Eternal Flame."

"Cursed rune?" Xyenn asked in confusion.

"A rune corrupted by darkness. All curses come from Hell if you didn't know by now."

"That means a demon was involved with this, right?"

"The astral bridges between the planes of Hell and Kyrrin are nimble. A connection between the desires of the heart and their lust for craving dark guidance. Making a contract or ritual can make you connect with one, for the right sacrifice."

"I still don't understand runes all that well."

'I remember seeing some people wear rune-covered armor and weapons in the tournament a few days ago. And me and Yuuna's new skill where we trace a runic symbol in the sky is one. The blindfolds people wear to avoid looking at the sun had runes. Some people I met had runes on their entire body. I never understood runes all like that. I'm not some scholar.'

Orin screamed like a girl, "PATIENCE!"

Yuuna snickered towards Xyenn, "Hehe, he's mad."

Xyenn replied with a chuckle, "I know right."

Orin said, "ENOUGH FOLLY. Anyway, the dragon god of the sun is what the Prophets and Lysfødt's call, an anomaly."

Yuuna's glare darkened, "You've been in contact with them, haven't you?"

"I have. But they came to me. They came to me a while back, in a dream. Wanting me to collect the blood of Gabriel and recreate him, and place the soul of a human in the mix, which—."

Xyenn interrupted, "—-Which would complete their goal for recreating Gabriel so he could rule again. But just any soul?"

"The soul of their champion. A human who showed resilience and leadership. A human who was able to be blessed by the Lysfødt himself to act as an enforcer of the dragon gods. To wipe out anomalies who try to defy the draconic laws."

Yuuna asked, "Who is this person?"

"The abandoned son of the noble family called the Velmires. His name is Kassius Velmire."

Xyenn was shocked to hear that name again, "The Velmires…they were supposed to help us wage war on Ezrael."

Orin continued, "Kassius was born with no power. The Lysfødt chose him as their champion enforcer. Blessing him with power he's never had before. Why? Because he's just like Gabriel was. Resilient, equal, believes in perfect balance, and never gives up."

Yuuna said, "Waiiiiiit. That sounds a lot like Xyenn. Why wasn't he chosen? That's not fair!"

Xyenn agreed, "Y-Yeah! Why wasn't I chosen?!"

Orin answered, "REFRAIN FROM YELLING AT ME. Also, I don't know. So let me continue. The Prophets informed the Lysfødt of anomalies occurring within fates timeline. Like Yuuna and you, for example. But you aren't the only ones. The Sun-Drake is one. If he is successful with being reborn outside of the Cycle of Rebirth, then he won't be bound to that curse any longer. It would make him break the draconic law. All draconic deities must stay within it, is an unwritten law. Lest the Lysfødt arrive and set things straight, but that would mean killing over half the world. The Lysfødt are too strong to arrive here physically, there would be casualties and war would follow. You all would easily be slain."

Xyenn remembered when that one Lysfødt said that same exact thing to him in Gabriel's Ladder. Well not the full Lysfødt, just a piece of the main ones body. That made Xyenn realize if he kept rejecting the Lysfødt's offer to kill Yuuna and offer them her heart, they would have sent Kassius after them.

Orin pressed on, "That's why they needed a champion. And they chose the abandoned son."

Yuuna asked, "So at the time, the Prophets worked with the Lysfødt?"

"Ha! They say they don't work for anyone, not on anyone's side. But sometimes it's hard to tell."

Xyenn asked, "What are you trying to say then? I know you're gonna ask us to kill him right?"

"No. You need his help to kill an anomaly, King Haldrek."

Xyenn and Yuuna sat up, "Haldrek?"

Orin said, "Haldrek has now become an anomaly. As the Prophet came to me and told me. This one is more psycho than the last, I miss the old one. But still! If Haldrek isn't killed, then he could become an unstoppable force. And as an elder dragon god, you know I'm not kidding. Haldrek is extremely powerful and needs to die. If he doesn't die, fate will change again for the worst, is what the Prophet said, and they never lie. They are forbidden to lie."

Xyenn let out a breath, "Kill Haldrek…?"

He then remembered the horrible beating Haldrek had given to Xyenn, the painful one, remembering how he slaughtered fights and innocents at the arena. Xyenn clenched his fists, and closed his eyes, trying to make himself forget. Yuuna held Xyenn's hand softly, saying, "Shhh, Xyenn."

Orin spoke more, "And as for the dragon god of the sun, the Sun-Drake, Kassius was meant to kill him on this day. To get rid of this anomaly. But he's not able to be summoned. As fate has changed. So now, it's up to you two to kill the Sun-Drake, and search for Kassius Velmire and get him to help you kill king Haldrek. You will need him, but he's gone missing."

Xyenn paused, continuing, "How are we supposed to fight the Sun-Drake? And who are you to give us orders?"

"I need his slain blood. That's the agreement me and Yuuna have worked out."

Yuuna gave a thumbs up, "Yep! Have no choice! Don't wanna die!"

Orin then floated past Xyenn, and said, "Follow. I will show you something."

Xyenn turned to Yuuna, saying, "Come on—."

"Ahhhh." Yuuna began relaxing even more, hanging on the ledge of the spring. "You two go ahead, I'll relax here until you get back."

"O-Okay."

Orin screeched like a girl, "HURRY UP."

Xyenn scoffed back, "Fuck off! I'm coming! Don't rush me!"

The small blood dragon hovered just a few feet off the ground, his wings dripping faint streams of blood that evaporated before they touched the floor. Though Orin's body was diminutive, his deep, rumbling voice continued to carry an air of authority—or at least, he tried to make it seem that way.

"Keep up, mortal," Orin growled, glancing over his shoulder. His crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light. "I don't have time to wait for your weak human legs to catch up."

Xyenn rolled his eyes, him fully dressed in his armor Yuuna and Gridd gifted him, his footsteps echoing lightly on the stone floor. "I'm literally right behind you. Maybe if you weren't the size of a fruit bat, you wouldn't have to try so hard to sound intimidating."

Orin bristled, his claws flexing mid-air. "Mock me again, and I'll drain the blood from your body so fast your heart won't have time to stop beating."

"Sure, tough guy," Xyenn muttered under his breath, though he couldn't help the amused smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The corridor opened into a large chamber, its walls etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with a deep red light. The carvings seemed alive, moving in subtle, undulating patterns that made Xyenn's skin crawl. The air here was heavier, thick with the metallic tang of blood and something older, something ancient. At the center of the room stood a raised platform, its surface engraved with countless runes that spiraled outward like veins, converging at the base of a large, bowl-shaped altar.

Orin landed gracefully on the edge of the altar, his small frame dwarfed by the imposing structure. He turned to face Xyenn, his voice dropping into a low, serious tone. "Do you know what this place is, boy?"

Xyenn shook his head, crossing his arms. "I don't, but I'm guessing you're about to give me a history lesson."

'There's gotta be a deeper reason for him leading me here. I have to stay on guard just in case. He's still an elder dragon god.'

Orin ignored the jab, his glowing eyes narrowing. "This is a Rune Altar. One of the oldest tools of forged magic in existence. It is here that the power of runes is harnessed, where the essence of dragons is bound, and where the Bloodmaidens serve their sacred purpose."

Xyenn frowned, stepping closer to examine the altar. The runes carved into its surface were unlike anything he'd seen before—jagged yet fluid, their shapes shifting slightly as he looked at them, as though they refused to be fully understood. "The Bloodmaidens…" he muttered, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What are they re"

Orin's wings flapped once, sending a faint spray of blood into the air. "The Bloodmaidens are the chosen," he began, his tone carrying a weight of reverence. "Women marked by destiny to bear the burden of dragon blood. Their purpose is sacred, yet grim—they collect and preserve the blood of slain dragon gods, ensuring that the Cycle of Rebirth continues."

"Ahh. So you're like Death himself, without him, the Cycle Of Rebirth can't happen."

"Yes," Orin said, his voice deepening. "When a dragon god is killed, its essence does not simply vanish. Dragon gods are eternal beings, fragments of the First Dragon, Gabriel, who shaped the world and gave life to all magic. When one of us dies, our blood becomes the vessel that carries our essence. It is through the work of the Bloodmaidens using my power that this essence is preserved and infused into the cycle, allowing us to be reborn."

Xyenn's gaze flickered to the runes on the walls. "Infused? How does that work?"

Orin's tail flicked impatiently. "The runes are the key. They are not mere symbols—they are forged magic, gifts from Gabriel himself. When the First Dragon created the world, he left behind his essence, fragments of his power that took form as runes. These runes are the foundation of all magic. They carry the will of creation, capable of shaping reality itself."

Xyenn furrowed his brow. "So… the Bloodmaidens use runes to transfer the essence of a dead dragon god into its new reborn form?"

"Precisely," Orin said, his tone sharp. "Through blood magic, the runes bind a dragon's essence to the cycle, allowing it to take root in a new vessel. This process ensures that no dragon god's power is ever truly lost. But the cost is steep. The Bloodmaidens are not merely caretakers—they suffer greatly for their role. The blood of the dragon gods is not meant to be handled by mortals. It burns them, scars them, breaks them."

Xyenn's jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists. "That's… horrible."

"It is necessary," Orin said firmly. "Without me and the Bloodmaidens, the cycle would collapse. The balance of the world depends on the rebirth of dragon gods. Without them, magic would wither, and the world would fall into ruin."

Xyenn took a step back, shaking his head. "This sounds… wrong. Like you're sacrificing people for the sake of these gods."

Orin's eyes narrowed. "We do not sacrifice them. They choose this path. They understand their purpose, their duty. Just as you and Yuuna choose to go and hunt the gods, they choose to bear this burden."

Xyenn frowned but said nothing.

Orin continued, his tone growing darker. "Which brings us to the matter at hand. The Sun-Drake."

Xyenn stiffened. "Quinara…"

"Yes," Orin said. "The Sun-Drake, the dragon god of the sun, has eluded the cycle. He has found a way to bypass rebirth, to cling to this world by anchoring himself to Quinara's unborn child. If he is allowed to be born outside the cycle, his power will grow unchecked, and the balance will be shattered. The Mark of the Eternal Flame—the curse that binds him to Quinara—has made her his vessel. The Sun-Drake and Haldrek cannot walk this world at the same time."

Xyenn's stomach turned. "Then we break the curse. We save her. Isn't that what we've been doing since we've been here."

Orin shook his head. "It is not so simple. The Mark of the Flame is not a mere spell—it is a rune. A curse rune. Even the blood runes cannot undo it. The only way to sever the Sun-Drake's hold is to allow him to be born. We thought we could destroy it, but this cursed rune is stronger than anticipated. Something with powerful dark magic must have forged it and gave it as a gift."

Xyenn's eyes widened. "What?! You're saying we let him be born? That's insane!"

"It is the only way," Orin said, his voice cold and unyielding. "If we time it correctly, if we strike the moment he is born, we can destroy him before he fully manifests. But it will not be easy. Quinara's body will endure unimaginable suffering. She may not survive."

Xyenn took a step forward, his voice rising. "Then we find another way! You can't seriously expect me to agree to this—to put her through that!"

Orin's gaze bore into him, unflinching. "There is no other way. The Sun-Drake's power is already growing. If he is not stopped here, now, he will consume her completely. She will die regardless—but if you allow this plan to proceed, there is a chance she may survive."

Xyenn's fists clenched, his mind racing. "And you expect Yuuna and me to… what? To just let this happen?"

"You and Yuuna are stronger than you realize," Orin said.

"You're asking me to gamble with her life," Xyenn said quietly, his voice trembling with anger.

"I am asking you to save her," Orin replied, his tone softer now. "To save her, and everyone else. The Sun-Drake cannot be allowed to escape the cycle. His rebirth must be stopped here, or the world will burn. He is an anomaly. You will die if he lingers alongside Haldrek."

Xyenn stared at the altar, his mind a storm of emotions. He hated this plan—hated the idea of putting Quinara through such pain. 

'How will I sit there and look if she's suffering? And I can't do anything? She'll probably think I'm an asshole or a coward. I'll feel responsible, like I'm the one who caused it. I don't wanna see that. But if it's the only way to save her..'

Xyenn asked Orin, "Why did you want to talk to me about this alone?"

"Yuuna would never agree to do this. And—."

"You thought I was naive."

"Yes. You're insanely young. Who wouldn't think that?"

The crimson glow of the runes etched along the walls seemed to pulse in rhythm with Orin's voice as he spoke, the tiny blood dragon perched on the edge of the altar, his wings twitching slightly. Despite his diminutive size, Orin stood—or rather, hovered—with an air of authority, his deep voice resonating in the chamber like a thunderclap. 

"The runes," Orin began, his tone grave and deliberate, "are the foundation of all magic—of all life. Every soul in this world is infused with runes, fragments of the First Dragon's essence. Gabriel, the progenitor of all dragons, forged the runes from his very being when he created the world. They are gifts—pieces of his power scattered throughout existence. They are the threads that bind reality together, the lifeblood of magic itself." 

Xyenn leaned back against a nearby stone pillar, his arms crossed as he listened intently. "So, you're saying everyone has runes in their soul?" 

"Precisely," Orin said, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "Every living being is born with runes etched into their soul. These runes dictate their connection to magic, their potential to wield it. Some are born with strong, vibrant runes, their essence practically overflowing with magic. These individuals are what you humans call 'gifted.' They are the ones who can manipulate the world around them, shaping fire, water, wind, and earth to their will. And then…" Orin's voice dipped slightly, his gaze sharp. "There are those who are born with dormant or fractured runes. They are powerless. Worthless." 

Xyenn stiffened, his jaw tightening. "Worthless? That's kind of harsh, don't you think?" 

"It is not an insult; it is the truth," Orin said bluntly, his tail curling behind him. "Magic is the lifeblood of this world. Those without it are like empty vessels, unable to contribute to the flow of creation. Unless…" He trailed off, his glowing eyes narrowing further. 

"Unless what?" Xyenn pressed. 

"Unless they forge a bond with a dragon deity," Orin said, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber. "A contract. Through this bond, the deity infuses their essence into the mortal, granting them access to magic. These individuals become vessels for the dragon's power, their runes ignited by the divine spark. It is a dangerous exchange, for the mortal becomes bound to the dragon's will. They serve as extensions of the god's influence, their lives no longer their own." 

Xyenn's frown deepened, his eyes flickering to the glowing runes on the walls. "And what about me?" he asked quietly. "I wasn't born with power. No runes. No blessings. Nothing. Why? If Gabriel created this system, why would he make some people… empty? You don't know what I've been through."

Orin stared at him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a slow flap of his wings, he hovered closer, his voice dropping into a softer, almost contemplative tone. "Not everyone in this world is meant to wield power, boy. If every soul burned brightly, the balance would collapse. Just as Gabriel created light, he also allowed darkness to exist. Just as there is creation, there is destruction. It is through imbalance that balance is achieved." 

Xyenn's brow furrowed. "That sounds… contradictory. I still hate all of them for it."

"You have every right to be angry." Orin huffed, his tail flicking in irritation. "But it is not for you to understand, mortal. Gabriel's will is beyond comprehension. He allowed some to burn brightly and others to remain in shadow because that is how the world must be. If every soul were gifted, if every being wielded power, the world would tear itself apart. There would be no order, only chaos." 

Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "No wonder none of the gods ever gave me their blessing. They felt as if I wasn't important enough to have them. Fucking worthless huh? What a joke."

"Well," Orin said, his voice taking on a smug tone, "perhaps that is because you're insufferably dull and unremarkable." 

Xyenn shot him a flat look. "Says the talking blood lizard who's barely the size of my boot." 

Orin's wings flared dramatically, his claws flexing as he hissed, "I am a dragon god! Do not mock me, boy!" 

"Right, right," Xyenn said, waving him off with a smirk. "You're very scary, Orin. Truly. I'm trembling in my boots." 

Orin growled, his tiny fangs bared. "One more word, and I will boil the blood in your veins." 

"Sure you will," Xyenn said, his smirk widening. "I'm sure that's exactly what you said to Yuuna before she started shaking you like a ragdoll." 

Orin sputtered, his crimson glow flaring slightly. "That… that woman is a lunatic! Completely unhinged! I was merely… humoring her!" 

Xyenn snorted. "Whatever you say, tough guy." 

Xyenn let the words sink in, his mind turning over everything he'd learned. The idea of runes as the foundation of magic, the idea that his own lack of power was part of some grand cosmic balance… it was a lot to take in. But one thing still didn't sit right with him. 

"If Gabriel created all this," Xyenn said slowly, "then why does it feel so… broken? People like me, people born without power… we're just supposed to accept that we're worthless unless we sell our souls to a dragon god?" 

Orin's gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "It is not a perfect system. But perfection is not the goal. Balance is. There is no light without shadow, no power without sacrifice. You may not have been born with runes, but that does not make you worthless. It simply means your path is different." 

"THAT'S…the nicest thing you've said to me."

"Don't get used to it. So now you see I've taught you about runes. That means you must pay me back and agree to let the Sun-Drake be born, and you convince Yuuna to let this happen as well without trying to stop us. Yuuna can be sensitive to these things—."

Xyenn pointed. "Y-You damn snake! I knew it! You were talking way too much!"

"I'm smart, that's why. Now begone. We don't have much time. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you find the abandoned son and kill Haldrek."

As Xyenn walked out, he thought, 'The Lysfødt have a champion named Kassius, who's in the Velmire noble family who apparently has the power to beat Haldrek. But it would take all of us to win. And if Haldrek isn't defeated, then we'll be screwed. And some demon cursed a rune which placed that curse on Quinara's family. They're more involved than I thought. It's like I can feel them drawing near. And this all reverts back to my number one enemy: King Haldrek.'


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