"Wilhelm Henry Schweinorg, how do you plead?"
"I demand death by suffocation," I replied.
A fluffy tail playfully swatted my face.
Yasaka was sitting on my stomach, not letting me get up from the couch that she all but threw me on after welcoming me home.
Unfortunately, Meridia and Salem were both here glaring at me.
I think that they're the ones that glare the hardest.
At the very least, Yasaka let me hold my favorite tail.
Fluffy.
Though, most of everyone was here.
It was good to be home.
Raikou walked in, wearing an apron, carrying a cup of tea on a tray for everyone. It really contrasted with the so-called 'tension' in the room, in which there really wasn't any.
"Frigga was nice; I get why you like spending time over there." Jinn was happily chatting with Jeanne, as if ignoring me completely.
"It's fun. She's been teaching me how to fly one of their ships. She said that she used to fly them around when she was younger." Jeanne perked up.
"Thank you, dear." Izzy thanked Raikou as she set a warm cup of tea in front of her.
"It's no problem." Raikou smiled brightly in return. "Tell me if it's to your tastes; I purchased it from Asgard when we were out."
"This is very good." Venelana chimed in. "I'm surprised, I could have sworn I tasted this there as well and it wasn't nearly as good."
"Oh, I had to try a few things to get it how I wanted. I found out that the leaves don't like to be boiled in water and get too bitter." Raikou chuckled.
Artoria was sitting a little far away, not in a standoffish manner, but she had Excalibur out – a rare occurrence when not in battle – and was wiping it down.
It seemed to be a tradition of sorts.
Or a habit ingrained in years of battle.
It's just that she didn't usually do it publicly or in front of others. Her sword obviously had certain feelings and effects on people; it made them drawn to her or pull them to her, which made things difficult.
But she was able to do it here with everyone without any issues.
It might have been a trust thing, or simply, she felt comfortable doing it with everyone around.
"Thank you, Raikou." She still politely smiled as Raikou gave her a cup as well.
"How are you feeling?" Yasaka asked as she patted my chest with her hand, still not getting up from on top of me.
"I'm doing alright. Though, I'm doing a lot better now that I have everyone with me." I gave a smile.
"Oh my, he's quick with the sweet words, isn't he?" Venelana spoke up.
Yasaka's tail playfully brushed against my face. "He certainly is. What do you think, girls? Let him off this once?"
"There is still plenty of time to give him a deserved beating." Scáthach said casually.
"There's always enough time for that." Izzy snorted.
"Hmm, you're off the hook this time, Mister." Yasaka pat my chest again.
Truthfully, I didn't really do anything wrong. They weren't going to go through a whole 'how dare you almost get hurt' kind of thing when it wasn't because of me being an idiot. They were just playing around and checking up on me.
At the end of the day, I did what I normally did, and somehow things went sideways in ways none of us could have anticipated.
You can sometimes do nothing wrong, yet still fail.
"We're just happy that you are okay." Artoria gave her beautiful smile. "It's not often that we are all gathered because you require help."
It is a rare occurrence, isn't it?
That's not to say I don't get into trouble, but how often is everyone called in to assist?
"I'm sorry for making you all worry," I said sincerely. "I'll try to be more careful in the future."
"That's all we ask." Yasaka nodded. "But you're going to make it up to me because I was worried for so long and I couldn't leave."
I pushed my face into her tail.
She just wanted some time together, using it as an excuse, I of course wouldn't reject her.
"If it puts you all at ease, I'll take it easy for a bit." Sometimes, it's important to take a step back in a relationship. I'm not the type that likes to stop marching forward, but I could make them feel better if I just didn't intentionally go seeking out trouble. "Besides, I had some things I wanted help with anyway."
"Need help with Magic or me?" Jinn asked, getting up from her seat.
I considered it. "Not in particular."
Not in a dismissive way. But she was wanting a direct answer.
She leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. "I'm glad you're okay. And I know you won't want us to just stand around fussing over you. Take it easy, I'm going to go to work, alright? And I'm taking Jeanne with me."
When Jinn wasn't being playful, she was, well, this. Direct, wise, intelligent. Holding a semblance of authority about her from her existence as a near-deity-like figure in the minds of Remnant people who knew about her.
"I'm going too?" Jeanne blinked.
Jinn laughed as she pulled on Jeanne's arm. "We haven't had a chance to spend much time together, so I'm stealing you away for a bit. We'll be home for dinner."
Jeanne, to her credit, was not at all put off or dismissive towards the abrupt declaration.
If anything, she genuinely looked happy.
I liked seeing them all getting along.
By work, she meant the College of Winterhold.
Jeanne, I think, would have fun exploring there. It was different than Kamar-Taj; there were more interesting things for someone like her.
And I double Jinn would stick her int he library and tell her to help her sort books.
Jeanne came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Her smile said it all, so nothing else was needed as Jinn dragged her off.
"Well, if you want to relax a bit. How about joining me to watch Rias's Rating Game tomorrow?" Venezuela brought up.
"Tomorrow?" I furrowed my brow. "Ah…I lost track of time."
Right.
"You want me to go there?" I questioned her instead.
Venelana shrugged. "I just thought you might enjoy yourself, considering that you lent a hand. Maybe you had a vested interest now. Or maybe just spend the time with me so I could show you off to all the other ladies."
It distinctly did not feel like a guilt trip, and I appreciated her for it.
She knew how I felt about most Devils, and she was just presenting it as an option.
Truthfully, as much as I disdain most Devil Culture and how much I think Rating Games are stupid—for the purpose that they use them for—I hadn't ever actually seen one.
I'm not against the idea of rating games in general. I mean, teams fighting against one another, sparring, and training—it's a good way to get the younger ones into the mindset of it all.
I just hate how serious they take it.
It's a tool; it shouldn't be the end goal.
'Rating Game Champion' or some bullshit shouldn't be what you're aiming for, but rather a result of your hard work.
I kept my opinions to myself.
Just as she knows I don't like Devil culture in a broad sense, I know she wouldn't want me insulting her culture either.
"It's a big event; would we be dressing up?" I asked.
"Miss out on a chance to show off? Who do you think I am?" She quirked a smile. "But that sounds like a yes to me."
"I would love to spend time with you," I told her honestly.
As much as I care about the rating game, meh.
I guess I should experience it at least once if I'm going to talk shit about it.
She smiled warmly. "Then I'll make preparations and pick you up tomorrow~"
Well, just seeing her happy was worth it.
I gently pat Yasaka's leg, and she lets me get up from my 'prison.' I gave Venelana a hug and kiss goodbye before opening a portal for her into the Underworld.
"I will be leaving." Salem seemed to find an excuse to leave.
I offered my hand. "I'll walk you home?"
It was partly a joke; partly, I could see she was upset about something, and I don't think it was specifically at me.
Walking home, so much as I opened a portal and led her through it as she took my hand. Her castle flooring was distinct as my feet touched on it.
"Something is bothering you." I said very plainly. "More than before."
"I am upset." She said very plainly. "I do not blame you."
"...are you blaming yourself?"
I could see her lips thin. "I am not some fool that would blame myself for something beyond my control," she let out a huff. "...illogically, perhaps I am. As ridiculous as it is."
"Do you want to talk about it?" I offered.
She let out a short grunt, still letting me hold her hand as she walked forward. "I am not a good woman."
"Where's this coming from?"
"Hush." She silenced me. "I wish to speak; I want you to listen. I am not a good woman. I am old; I am not used to being around people. I have not had someone care for me in a very long time. I had thought that parts of me long died, and recently, they have been resurfacing. Feelings that I have not experienced since I were a naive and foolish girl."
I listened to her, and it felt sort of rambly, but I don't think she had rehearsed any of this and was just saying it as it came.
"More than someone caring about me, I have not felt the caring of another for longer. I do not remember how I am supposed to act. I don't know how to comfort you if you need it. I do not know how to provide you with the…warmth that they do. I am upset because for the first time in a very long time, I realized I was fearful of something, and it's easier to be angry."
Ah.
"Sharing my thoughts with someone is not something I come to naturally. I am not a pleasant woman to accompany you for the rest of your life. I prefer isolation; I prefer solitude. I have killed a great many people. I feel little remorse or sympathy for others. I care not for anyone or anything not within my grasp."
I was letting her get it out of her system.
Was she bottling this up? Or was it simply something that needed to be said eventually once we reached a certain point?
She let out an exasperated breath. "And yet you show no sign of rejecting me. Despite all this, I…enjoy the time we spend together. I do not dislike the others and would not reject their company. And I…would be upset if something happened to you."
I pulled her hand up to my face and kissed the back of it.
"I wish to share something with you; it is almost ready. Those eyes I purchased on the train, I have inserted them into a specially prepared Grimm, and it will project my memories. I want you to meet my children." She pulled away rather quickly as she said that and turned her head too.
"I would love to meet your children." I told her with full sincerity.
"It will be ready soon." She grunted. "Now leave me; I wish to be alone."
I knew she didn't want me to say anything.
This was already the limit for Salem being open about anything, and she wants to be alone to reconcile her own feelings.
Of course, I would be here when she's ready.
[Line Break]
I stepped back home, and mostly everyone was still here. I mean, I was only away for a few minutes, and they were waiting for me.
"Is she doing alright?" Yasaka asked.
Well, I suppose it wouldn't be weird for them to also notice that Salem was a bit off.
"She just had some things on her mind." I answered before making my way over to Meridia. "Are you okay?"
Meridia looked up at me. "I am angry."
"I noticed."
"Not at you."
I nodded. "We're the same, aren't we?"
"I do not like it when someone touches what is mine." She frowned. "The one responsible, I would very gladly show them my displeasure."
Her expression changed slightly as I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
I didn't ask her to go over there and beat up Dormammu; she knew why.
"I had a question because more than one person mentioned it. Apparently my Divinity is more noticeable now?" I leaned on Meridia's shoulder.
Izzy was still here and looked at me. "I was going to say something. It's much more predominant than before."
"I stressed it more than I have in a long time." I rubbed my chin. "I'm wondering if I should keep doing so. I had some thoughts about it, and I want to focus on it for the time being. But I'm not exactly sure what the best method is."
Artoria looked at me, and she had that expression like 'Are you an idiot?' but politer and without actual insult in it. "Wilhelm. I know nothing of divinity, but you are missing the obvious."
"Yeah?" I blinked.
"She is right, Master." Raikou chimed in.
"It is a sword." Artoria said very plainly. "If you wish to become more accustomed to it, to become more familiar and experienced, carry it with you."
"...really?"
Technically, not all my divine power came from the sword. But I understood what she was getting at.
"Izzy?" I looked at her.
Izzy crossed her arms. "I wouldn't say that's wrong. But I'm also not going to be able to give you the perfect answers you're looking for. You want to know more about your own divine power, what it is, and how to use it. That's like me asking you if my breathing is proper or if my heart is beating correctly. It's innate for me; it's something part of my existence."
Fair.
"They raise good points, student," Scáthach chimed in. "And there is no harm in following their advice."
Scáthach was technically some level of Divine? But not actually divine. Mostly, the world rejected that she was a mortal a long time ago, and therefore, she had some measure of divinity about her even if it wasn't the same. Though, as a servant, that was conceptualized into a godslaying skill.
"So just summon my authority and keep it activated and on me?" I repeated the advice and realized that maybe it wasn't so strange.
Like, I always kept it sealed away. I only called it out when I needed to use it in that moment; it was a trump card, something I didn't show off and only used when the situation called for it.
When did I ever just…use it normally?
The other Campione, all they had was their authority.
I realized this when my Divine Power had a measure of increase.
But I hadn't considered normalizing the presence of my authority.
There was logic and benefit to it.
"Alright, I'll just summon my authority." I wasn't used to doing it without a reason. Artoria says she doesn't show off Excalibur because it's not some bauble for others to gawk at. I sort of felt the same way? Like it felt weird just to take it out without a reason to do so.
"Don't do it inside the house; you'll make a mess everywhere," Yasaka stated.
"Fine, I'll just go outside and call on my storm." I said it sarcastically, but yeah.
I saw Meridia roll her eyes. "Come here."
I didn't have a moment to register before she stuck her hand into my chest.
Not just my chest, it went inside of me, burrowing down into my soul, and I felt her grab onto something and pull it out.
"Here."
I absentmindedly took my Divine Sword from her. "Thank you."
That was strange.
I know that Musu Tengai didn't put up any resistance because it was Meridia, and that isn't something just anyone can do, but it still felt strange.
No big displays of power, no summoning the storm. She just reached right in and pulled out my Divine Authority and handed it to me.
It's easy to forget just how powerful she really is because Izzy couldn't have done the same thing.
It still radiated power; it just didn't have the thunderous summoning that it usually did.
"...I'm going to need to get a sheath for this if I'm carrying it around. Maybe something to suppress its power from radiating outwards."
Meridia plucked a strand of hair from her head, and it immediately changed shape. "Here, take this."
It wasn't like gold, gold, but it had a golden hue to it. It wasn't overly decorated; it honestly wasn't on par with Avalon—but nothing really was there. But it was a very nice scabbard, and I quickly took it and slid my sword into it.
It fit perfectly, and it seemed to stop just the radiation of divine power outwards.
Like, you could still notice the sword; it wasn't sealed away; it just wasn't shouting at everyone now.
"It's perfect, thank you." I gave her a hug from behind.
"If it pleases you, then that's all that matters." She lightly squeezed my forearm, showing a hint of a smile.
"I need some practice with this thing anyway. Raikou. Artoria, do you want to call Mordred and see if she wants to spar?" May as well get the sword training in too.
I think the best first step would be to focus on control; then I can work on doing what I did on Sakaar.
I have something, I think.
A way to better make use of it, but I'll need help.
"I'm sure Mordred would love that." Artoria smiled.
[Line Break]
A/N
First steps towards improving his divine power, rating game finally happening next, and then moving on to the next arc and new world.
Two Sunday chapters, coming in a few hours late, but all the same. Looking Glass and Spooder should be out soon? Though Looking Glass may sit behind a sub for a bit.
We're in the next world so far, if you're interested too over there.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can't use the above under the same name