A shining light appears on the abyss and darkness follows weakishly tries to engulf it as a beast sleeping within the void growls far away.

A woman with a long red cloak riding a white armored horse passes through the darkened rainy forest. The muddy dirty path full of overgrown leaves and trees made it hard for even the horse to get through the thick woodland. Behind the white horse are Knights Calvary, charging at full speed with their long lances facing forward as they destroy and ram through any obstacles that dared stand in their way.

One of the Knights in the back breathes in, feeling the crashing rainwater into his helmet and the feather ornament mounted to the top of it slowing down, in the moment of breathing out, fires his shiny metallic greatbow and hurls a huge bolt into the woman. A slender long hand then catches it and throws it into the mud. “Tsk.” The Knight holsters his Greatbow and continues to give chase alongside the calvary. Entering an open plains with the small leaves violently waving left and right with debris of soil and sticks flying through the open air as the hurricane passing through at the dead of night becomes more and more powerful.

Now without any cover, the Calvary spreads out and she looks behind her and could see twenty gleaming Knights in armored horses that are keeping pace with her steed, their heads not leaving sight of the woman through the clashing pouring rain. Thunder then came and on the skies were lit up and her eyes of shining gold contract, Vampiric slits for pupils reflecting the armor of five more Knights in flying Griffins. Even the tingle of light that’d hit their armor would show its rainbow glare and its metal of enchanted wonders wielding their massive great lances. Even through the rain, her mascara and eye shadow wasn’t washed by the water and her endless beauty with her eternal youth spoke true to her own wonder. With a spotless and clean pale white skin of her cheeks wet from the water pouring from the skies.

Making a violent turn to the left, her horse faces a cliff surrounded by a rocky canyon. The clacks of the horses hoofs echo through it as the woman pulls out a Blackmetal sword adorned with devilish iconography, her eyes stare forward into the sea cliff. With the gushing waters hitting the rocky fall hundreds of meters below, and near its edge is a small circular ruin with a slit in the middle of it with arrows turning clockwise and on it is an engraved art of a giant dragon breathing fire as its entire body hid behind the mountains. The late teenage woman exits her white horse and runs faster than her steed to it. With the Knights on the Griffin landing and skidding their way into her. “NO! DON’T DO IT!” With her glowing golden eyes staring at them, she inserts the sword and it fits perfectly into it and with a clockwise turn, the ground rumbles and a quake spuns the Knights off of their saddles and into the ground. Their dark blue capes fly wildly to different directions as the air becomes fizzled and the water below calms.

One of them tries to unholster his revolver with a perfect aim. Managed to take a shot at the woman but she merely dodged the bullet without effort and gave them a devious smile in return.

The Griffins take flight, running away alongside the horses to the plains where they scatter while the Knights dug their swords and lances into the rocky terrain as the quake got worse and worse and behind the woman, with the open sea was a definitely shaped mountain of black shiny metal rising from the seas. The violent thrashing of the ocean water comes back and even with its strength, the momentous amount of liquid seemingly does nothing to the mountain as it becomes fully erect from its slumber beneath the ocean waves.

Low and monstrous growls could be heard as two giant horns the size of castles tower over the canyon and all of the sudden it stops. The Knight with the large red feather on top of his stylish helmet stands up and lifts up its visor. “Oh Godefroy, forgive us for we have failed you.” and like a massive headlight just opened. A huge eye that dwarfs the section of the cliff where they stood yonders over them. Peering like a God looking down on mere pawns of the cycle of life. The creature before them was far beyond that of comprehension as wings unfold and its span reaches into the plains. The giant eyes then focuses on the woman wearing a red cloak, her white gown shining as her petite figure is accentuated by the light of the eyes of the great primordial beast.

It then closes its eyes and opens it again. The mere act was like the Sun being turned off and on right before them and soon the eyes continue to go up into the skies followed by a jaw with giant predatory teeth. “Oh Godefroy our Saviour, the Dragon of the Void has been awakened…” it then lifts its head up into the skies and roars, the massive loud sound shifting the air outwards, pushing them back a few inches as it lowered its head and turned it once again, now with both its eyes opened to stare down on the woman holding the devilish sword.

Soon, the Knights felt a disturbance. As if the Mana surrounding them was shifted to the direction of the mountainous beast. Sucking in all the power and strength of the atmosphere itself.

“Ahhhhhh… how long has it been?”

To their surprise, the voice of such a scary and intimidating Dragon was that of a soft and calm mother, one that you’d think is unable to hurt a fly nor do any Evil.

“Far too long.” the woman in the red cloak whispers. The giant head of the Dragon then peers over her and into the tiny microbial group of Knights. Trembling in their place except for the one with the red feather on his helmet. “COME BAHAMUT! I CHALLENGE THEE TO A FIGHT!” The Dragon visibly smirks as its wings flap once, sending a wake that makes the man fall down. Underneath the black dragon's armored neck, the woman pulls out the sword and walks over to the Knights. Pointing it at them.

“Return now! I do not wish to start a war here, let it be known that you may not fulfill your Pope's wishes. Let this sight be a warning to you! Try to kill me here, a witness shall alert the Vampire Kingdom! Rest assured, the death of a Marquise of my level will send you and your entire lineages into the dirt! Your loved ones are all beheaded and paraded in our Capital for your murder!”

The woman's voice was that of someone in her late teenage years, full of vigor and life but her pointy ears and golden eyes with slits for pupils said otherwise as the Knights all stood up. The rain stopped falling on them as the head of the Dragon peers over into the plains, scanning and inspecting the land with gleeful stares. “BEGONE HUMANS! Let it be known the Vampire Kingdom and the Minuit House shall not stand abide by your disastrous policies that will send this land into war unseen for a thousand years!” The Knights stand up, walking towards her, the man with the red feather on his helmet lifts his cape to block the wake of Bahamut’s wings flapping. “We’ll be leaving. But know this Marquise Minuit, bringing back their God won’t help you in any way possible. Your Pope is surrounded, all it takes is for the last needle to fall and Cróga will be ours.” he then turns around passing the calvary and soon, one by one. The Knights start turning around and walking closely behind their leader.

All of the sudden, rain falls upon them once again and looks up. The giant dragon was gone. The Knights make one last peek and behind the teenage lady whose face was like a perfect porcelain doll was a woman taller than her wearing a gothic funeral gown with a sharp edgy crown with a visible veil over her face. Holding a lamp with a bluish flame to it. The stare of the peculiar woman was of a whole other level. As if the very Abyss was staring back at them, sending shivers down to all of them. Regardless if they were looking or not.

“Haaaaaa… bloodsucker, be sure you awaken me for a good reason. I for a second thought it was Master. Where was that sword kept? Don’t tell me you kept it in your Manor.”

“No, it was kept in a museum. I just opened the case and took it.”

“Nonetheless, should we get out of this rain?”

“Of course. Coureur Prairie, come!”

Her horse walks over to her. Rubbing its face on her cheeks. “Ahahahah, yes. Good job. Come, we must return to the ship.” The two then hear another horse with a more devilish sound and they look at Bahamut who has somehow summoned Junior to her. “Huh? When did our Lord give you access to Junior?”

“I do not know… I just felt her call to me.”

“Nonetheless, it's good that you have your own steed. Let us ride, my Galleon awaits us.”

“Of course.”

The two ride on, with Junior, the Demon Horse in its full armor and the Dragon God riding the steed next to the white and elegantly clean one of the Vampire. Running back to the forest, they spot the Knights Calvary resting near its mouth. Setting up a campfire with their squires toiling away at putting up their tents with the heavy rain. The two magnificently beautiful women with their long black hair just pass the tired Knights resting and hugging the hot warm flames of the fire as they manipulated magic without effort into cleaning the mud and dirt off their armor. Ignoring them as they carried on into the darkness of the rainy night.

“Who’re those Knights Bloodsucker? I’ve never seen those symbols before.”

“Oh, they are the Knights of Avaria. Let them be. They just got caught by me when my ship docked at their city. Fools thought they could intimidate me. I’ve met far more dangerous foes than them.”

“So such a reason? I don’t think humans would be so willing to chase a Bloodsucker unless they really did something bad.”

“I came here to awaken you. As I said, I’ll speak of more information when we reach my ship.”

“Do not keep me waiting for far too long. I have so many questions.”

“And I probably have the answers. Just wait.”

Inside the Capital city of Avaria, two small dragonic hands with the fearsome claws of a great beast looms from below a glass counter. With a glistening red scale from the rain and sharp claws, it points down on the bread that’s visible. The man behind it could only see the prideful horns of a legendary beast with a pair of terrifying hands. He slowly peeks over it and sees a little girl. Her hand is holding a rope that’s connected to a wooden cart that’s already collapsing from water damage.

On it is a single picture frame of the couple, proudly smiling with their daughter and a handful of scarred toys. He then looks back at the little girl with long white hair that’s already beyond her own height. “Gah- Gaaaah! Gao!” she points at her mouth repeatedly and the man just backs away and closes the light on his shop and the window. Left alone as people went about their lives behind the young one. She looks down on herself, wearing a clear white oversized shirt and no shoes or socks and soaked in water. Walking along the sidewalk, no one notices the helpless little one as everyone goes along their day through the rainy night.

An electric tram stops in the middle of the road and she tries to ask them for food or anything to eat. But the little girl was left ignored. Suddenly, her nose picks up something and the young one tugs her small toy cart with her to an alleyway a few hundred meters away. There, some affluent kids held up bread with their hands under the shade of Elvish Butler’s magic. Wearing expensive gowns and uniforms, the kids smile at the sight of the impoverished girl.

“What’s a Dragon like you doing here? Don’t you know your kind isn’t welcome here. Hmph, were our warnings yesterday not enough for you?” wearing a bright purple uniform and shiny black hair, the boy steps forward. Leading her to the smell of the bread as he circles it around her face.

“Gah! Gah! Gao!” she points at her mouth as her lips watered for the shiny bread.

“Hmph, what a waste. To think my Ancestors once saw you as a prideful species of warriors and legends. No wonder your kind is banned from here.” The little girl puts a fan up her mouth as she mockingly laughs at the young Dragon. “Goodness, have you ever taken a bath? You smell like a Gremlin that’s been stuck in its cave for months.” The other kids laugh, holding their necklace of a cross with a holy sword from Tur wielded by a player wearing a heroic Knight armor.

Stricken with great hunger, the young dragon that’s a few inches smaller than them bites the bread. “HEY!” The kid pushed the dragon down on the floor, but she didn’t show any emotion and just smiled as she chewed the fresh bread. “Grrrrr! That’s it!” the kid in the bright purple noble uniform walks over to her back and kicks the wooden toy cart to its side. Forcing the girl to defend it. She throws her own body in the path of the shoes of the child as others follow suit. Having such a small body, she wasn’t able to defend what remains of her personal belongings as the little girl in a vibrantly coloured gown picks up her family frame and laughs at the picture while the others took her toy hammer and doll, throwing it into the cobblestone alleyway floor. After ten long grueling minutes of beating the young dragon and abusing her toys.

The Butler with them looks at his watch and politely coughs. “Young Masters, I think your parents will be done eating by any moment now. I’m sure they’ll want to see you all dignified. May we vacate prematurely so that I may be able to groom you all?”

The kids looked at the Elven butler with snaring eyes but they gave up kicking her and they scoffed. “One day, the Pope will have you all exterminated! The Church of Godefroy will soon be labeling you all as heretics! My Mother told me that! Believers of that damned Black Dragon that has caused our savior great peril!” with one last kick, this time to the head. The young dragon girl embraces her now broken cart. Tearfully looking at the wooden wheel as she balls up.

A few hundred meters away, Bahamut is riding alongside Alana. Their expensive and rare horses gained the attention of passersby as the two elegant and dignified women went along their way. “Halt. I smell something…” Alana suddenly stops her horse, tilting her head to look at her friend and already, Bahamut is already long gone. “EH?! BAHAMUT?!” She then tugged her reins as the horse sped away. “What in the Heavens is my Lord's horse made out of?!” She rounds the block first and finds nothing, continuing into the Upper part of town, she sees the black armored horse of her Lord parked on the opposite side of the road. The Vampire immediately jumps out, lifting her skirt a bit as she runs through the rainy sidewalk and into an alleyway next to an expensive restaurant.

“Do not worry young one. It’s all fine now.”

Bahamut hugs the little dragon girl. “Bloodsucker, I wish to take this one with us.”

“Eh? EH? B-but who will take care of her? And have her hide her horns! This town has long been influenced by the Church!”

“I will teach her in due time. It seems that my kin is more than targeted here. Who’d do such a thing to a Fire Dragon of all things?”

Bahamut opens her arms to reveal the small girl with half her arms partially a dragon with her horns still visible. With long ethereal white hair, the youngling looked like it couldn’t even hurt an ant even with its sharp canine teeths that’s the same type as Bahamuts. “She’s a Volcanic Dragon, one of great pride and ego. I cannot believe the people of this place are capable of giving such cruelty to a wonderful creature. As a Dragon God, I cannot pass this. It doesn’t help that she’s so far the only one of my kin that I’ve smelled.” Alana breathes out all of her stress as she walks around the wooden cart, picking up a toy hammer and a doll. She then takes the picture frame and wipes the glass to clearly see her parents.

“That’s odd. Both of her parents here are wearing expensive clothing.”

“Show me.” As Bahamut lets the little girl's head rest on her lap, she takes the picture frame and investigates it while her magic works on the young one. Cleaning her shirt and hair. “Ah, her Father is a Chosen One and the mother, a native. I only know of one type of human that has a face like that, it's far too perfect for him to be normal. He must’ve been a Dragonkin himself." Returning the picture, Alana elegantly picks up the wooden cart from the arms of the little girl and puts her belongings in it. “Are you sure you want to keep her? You know what our Lord has said about such a responsibility.”

“Master has taken care of me too, I know it's not a chore. But he has shown me the love of man, and thus, I shall reciprocate the same to my own kin. I’m sure Master would’ve done the same if he was here. He never shied away from helping those in need.” Under her veil, Bahamut smiles but with a lonely aura to her as she cradles the little dragon girl. “Let us depart. Where is your ship?”

Even far from the Port, one could see the masts of the huge Galleons that had been parked on its docks. On it, one evidently stood out from its styling. With the Seal of the Minuit on its side, and a bright red color with shiny golden railings, the ship swayed smoothly on the torrent waters as the incessant rain didn’t stop even at the dead of night. Clacking could be heard from the ship's ramp to the city and the Knights and Grunts stood up in salute at the return of their lady. One man wearing a Dragonic Robe instantly goes into his knees and his eyes water from the sight. “OH GODDESS! THE GODDESS IN THE FLESH! OHHHH I’VE BEEN BLESSED! I MUST TELL THE CARDINAL!” The two women ignored everyone and went into the cabin with a little girl sleeping in the arms of Bahamut.

Seeing that their Lady is gone, the Knights and Grunts went back into guarding the ship as the Sailors checked the four huge masts of the Vampiric Galleon for damage as their magic had become inadequate from the hurling winds of nature. Inside the ship, Alana politely bows to the Captain.

“Admiral Florent. I am pleased to return with-'' without even finishing her sentence, the well dressed Admiral shakes Bahamut's hand. With his shiny blonde hair and emerald eyes, the young man has the widest smile a Vampire could have. “Goddess! I’ve been praying to you since I was merely a child nine hundred and fifty years ago! I am so happy to have you on my ship! Whatever you need, just ask. We’ve bought an extra amount of meat just for you.” Bahamut just smiles under the veil but she lets go of his grip and goes down the stairs. The man didn’t stop bowing to her as she left.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my. Lady Minuit, I cannot believe it. She’s actually awakened!”

“Hah hah hah, this is the power of a purebred. Be sure to sing praises of myself at the dinner party when we return.”

“Of course, Lady Minuit. But also, who was that little one that reeked of burnt wood and white hair?”

“A Volcanic Dragon of sorts, or Fire Dragon as known here. Bahamut took pity upon the little one. I also cannot help but feel the same.”

“Ah, I see. I’m surprised there’s even a Dragon so deep in this land. Not after…-”

“Let us not go there. Bahamut may hear us. I’ll properly explain everything to her when she’s ready.”

“Of course. Shall we set sail? These waters might be dangerous, but it shall be nothing but a chore for me.”

“If you can, we must leave this place at once. It won’t take long when everyone finds out what I’ve done.”

“Then shall be done!”

“Also, has my bath been prepared?”

“Of course, your Butler has prepared it as requested, Lady Minuit.”

“Good, be sure not to make it too rocky.”

“I shall try my best with the magic we have at hand.”

He bows his head and puts his arm into his stomach, respecting the woman as she goes down the stairs while he on the other hand exits out into the deck where the rain has gotten even worse. Going down to the baths, she could hear the giggling of a child. Peeking inside, Bahamut is washing the little girl. With her sleeves rolled up and her crown and veil gone, Alana smiles at the sight. Seeing her old Lord's mannerisms in the Dragon as she patiently washed the little girl while lecturing her on how to clean herself. “Oy, what’re you staring at?”

“Pfft. I just remembered that you have the same style as our Lord.”

“Well, he did wash me almost everyday. I of course will take from him. I usually only wash myself in ponds and lakes, the normal way of a Dragon. Never with these human hands.” with great skill, Bahamut washes the little girl and the nooks and cranny of the shiny red scales on her arms. “How is she holding up?” Alana looks at the little girl completely covered in bubbles and soap, she stands up, putting her hands up and makes a warm smile. “Gaaaah! Gaooo!” This throws bubbles into the face of the Dragon God, making her instantly wipe her eyes. “Calm down!” She then lightly pats the young girl and makes her sit back down into the tub of water. “You owe me an explanation Bloodsucker. Remember that.”

“Oh, Do not worry. It seems that you already know half of it.”

“Tsk, I will not stand idly by when my kin is being disrespected like this. What has happened to the glory of the Dragons? How is this acceptable?! This would merit a war without question!”

“It’s only about to become worse. Hence why I’ve summoned you. I am gambling that your presence shall be enough to even sway the High Elves to our side. I know a certain General that smuggles your Church’s scriptures into the streets of Elvennur.”

“Is that so? For me to be used as a Political Tool is not a joke. I hope you are aware of this.”

“It’s been almost a thousand years since Bahamut. Worry not, I’ve gained a great wealth of experience in all manners of life in that span.”

“Good. As Master said, to have me is to have a Weapon that changes everyone’s lives without the need of violence. It will make a noise and it's not the good type.”

“But it's still noise, and the High Elf I know will respond to us positively if its the Goddess he praises that orders him to move. He is… a very tough and straightforward man. Like our Lord, a dedicated leader. My words won’t sway him as he knows if he is found out, he will be branded as a heretic in the Republic of the Elves.”

“I see… go. I’ll ask more questions later.”

The Vampire closes the door, leaving Bahamut alone with the child. Half an hour later, the ship was swaying smoothly as Alana left her personal room wearing a towel. She knocks on the door of the Goddess’ and it opens. “Are we going to talk now?”

“Later, I just wish to see if you're not sleeping yet.”

“Me? Sleep? Hmph, have I been humanized enough that I look like I tire?”

“It seems like you were tired from that ordeal.”

“Do not worry, the young one is sleeping soundly with a smile on her face. That is enough to give me a lot of energy.”

“Good, and my bath is prepared once again. I’ll meet you two hours from now.”

“Two hours? What? No.”

“I take long baths, so no complaining in my own ship.”

“Tsk, wait here.”

Closing the door, Alana’s sharp ears perked up as she could hear a cabinet being opened and closed. Once again, the door opens and this time, Bahamut was only wearing a towel like her. “We talk in the bath.”

“What? No. Bahamut, just be patient. We’ll converse, worry not.”

“I also want to take a bath anyway. I smell like Saltwater while sleeping underwater. Come, let us go in together.”

“I don’t even think it will fit the both of us considering my height alone.”

“What? I am of the same height as that Admiral of yours. Stop complaining. We’ll surely fit.”

Minutes later, Bahamut and Alana are facing each other as they bathe on the porcelain tub that's bolted into the tiles of the bathroom. The window to the left showed the dimming lights of the city as the ship rocked from the heavy waves of the open ocean as it’d occasionally smooth out. The water on the tub would occasionally spill but the two women just stared at each other. Their long black hairs floated on the crystal clear water. Like wonderful angels innocently and heavenly washing themselves, the two painted a picture any man would want to see.

“So… Bloodsucker… Why was I awakened?”

“The Pope of Godefroy, I’ve had some rumors of the Kingdoms spies that he’s planning on branding Dragons and anyone who follows the Church of Bahamut as heretics. He’ll do it when the Pope of your Church, a Great Wyvern, is captured by the rioting people of Cróga whom we are on the fence in daring to forcefully vacate. This could lead to not only an economic downfall in Avraria and Gareth, who is in the middle of overthrowing their Monarchy in replace of some Democratic Constitution. This is a perfect recipe for so many things.”

“Okay, say that again but slowly.”

“The Church of Godefroy, they want you and anyone who believes in you, dead or converted as the Kingdom of Gareth goes into a riot. It's the perfect storm to do such a thing and the Church may finally get rid of the only thing that stands in its way.”

“That’s… that is indeed a problem.”

“Yes, compared to back then. Do you feel yourself as more powerful? I will need your divinity in full show here. The Cathedral of your Religion is surrounded by believers that see those who believe in you as heretics. The Pope of your Church is standing there with his Knights, defending it valiantly from innocents the fools of Godefroy sent into a rage about you.”

“It is, I feel as if I’ve gained a billion followers.”

“Good. The Church of Bahamut is greatly known in Dragovh, and the Vampire Kingdom. So much so it has almost overtaken the Holy See for most human believers. In the end, Dragons are still far more revered than anything else, more so if it's one that walked with them and was controlled by one.”

“Eh? Has my Cult grown that much?”

“It’s no longer a Cult Bahamut, but a legitimate religion that spans over three continents.”

“Nice! Then, what’s the first deal then? I may be able to finally flex my full power!”

“We must meet with the Pope of your Church, but he is currently in the Cathedral in Cróga which is surrounded by the Armies of Godefroy, we have to prevent this war at all cost. So we must muster an army to rescue him.”

“Then, where are we headed right now?”

“Back to the Kingdom of Rose, I need to collect her Majesty. She may be able to help us in that area. She had, after all, mustered an army that conquered the world once.”

“She’s still around? I never knew she’d last this long without Master to support her.”

“She is, last I heard she was in the Great Steppes on the East of the Kingdom. Living in a forest, away from the people. Though I’ve instructed her to be near a village so that if needed, she may be there to respond quickly”

Alana then rounds up her hair and starts to wash it slowly. Her leg squirms a bit to make space for the taller Bahamut whose feet are past her thighs.

“I see, and after that?”

“Talk with the Cardinal and assemble our own force. After that, we’ll head to the High Elves' Capital of Elvennur and try to persuade them to at least send something, though they forbid any other religion than theirs. Your Church being founded on the border to their country has made a lot of High Elves a part of your religion by secret. One being a General in charge of their Air Force.”

“Ah, such a dastard plan. I approve!”

“And what about the little one? What do you plan to do with her?”

“I shall train her. Volcanic Dragons are easy to rise to Godhood, if I can. I want her to be in my place if she wishes. After this, I will return to my slumber.”

“You really don’t want to stay?”

“If Master is not here, I have no reason to be anywhere.”

“Maybe that’s the lingering feeling I’ve been getting for so long now… as if I am missing something…”

Alana puts her arm on the tub's side, resting her chin on its palm as the woman lets out a sigh. Her already thin stomach deflates under the water. Bahamut then stretches her legs and arms and then sinks half her head. “Do you think he’ll return?” the Dragon didn’t answer and merely stayed silent as she let her body and hair get fully soaked. “I guess so.” The Vampire then faces the woman before her.

As their long legs and doll-like features clash in a battle of beauties, one of maturity and one of a late teen. Both of their solemn faces are left. Only the crashing of the water and rain being heard as the lights on the wall would flutter. Bahamut then raises her leg, her hand caressing up and down. Her skin was so soft and sparkly that her fingers wouldn’t even meet an ounce of resistance as it flew to her ankles and back to her thigh. Her expression, that of someone who's busy with her own thoughts while Alana meets her hand.

“Hm?”

“Do you still watch over him?”

“I do. Worry not.”

“Good. At least that’s a Nonacentennial worth of worry gone.”

“Do you still drink liquid tainted with Master’s blood?”

“Hmph. What else can I do? Even with the contract gone and the vows nullified. I still cannot get over his taste. I’ve tried drinking the blood of Kings and Queens, to even young and youthful Nobles. None of it could match the sweetness of his.”

“I wonder what you’d be doing if he never gave you such a gift.”

“The Chalice is now part of the Manor. I never drink anything without it being involved whenever I am in my territory and the Wine I send to the Majesty also has it.”

“I cannot imagine that my followers have grown to this size. I never had so many people believing in me before.”

“Hm? Where did the old Bahamut go?”

“Hah. I am still the same. It might be just the effects of this human body.”

“Nonetheless, you must protect them. As even I will be one the chopping block if the Church of Godefroy wins… this is the perfect storm for them to rise above it all. Geraldia is such an important Continent as it sits in the middle of all five. If they were to get full influence of it, or even half. The Vampire Kingdom will have to work with them whether we like it nor not.”

“As if they’ll be able to do anything to you.”

“Things have changed Bahamut. It has vastly changed, the world is getting more and more connected. Within the next few decades, we might see the same technological revolution Earth has met in its years of peace. We already have trains and electricity, albeit in its infancy. People are now realizing the methods the Outworlders have been using in their miracle machines. Soon, with the help of magic. We may even be able to surpass them.”

“That’s… not good.”

“Hm. Every crime, every fault, and everything must be swept under the rug before that could happen. I know the Vampire Kingdom is also in danger of its Monarchy being toppled with the trend now being Democracies or Autocracies. Including that annoying Church and its race to destroy anything related to you.”

“Haaaaah… I already wanna go back to my slumber.”

“After this alright? Do not sleep in my tub.”

“Hm.”

As the ship rocked from the violent seas. Silence falls again between the two. Alana gets up and fetches the soap, the two share it as they clean each other's bodies in solemn peace. After a while, they both finish up and return to their respective rooms. With Bahamut, having an invader in her bed. Not having the energy, she just scoops up the small kid and puts it next to her. Hugging the young one like a small pillow.

The woman's overwhelming height compared to the small girl was dwelling, but the child didn’t waste the opportunity to hug her own giant teddy bear with her small knitted doll between the two. Through the night, Bahamut and Alana were both unable to sleep. Before they knew it, it was already morning.

After a few days of the two exchanging conversations and Bahamut learning more about what’s changed and improved, the ship reaches Schon and it enters its long and convoluted rivers. Before long, they reach the Steppes of the Vampire Kingdom. There, large herds of cows are herded by flying Gremlins controlled by the Farmers. Some often summon their own Goblins to help with keeping the thousand or so cows in check and protected from predators daring enough to challenge a Vampire’s cattle in the countryside.

The huge Four Mast Galleon of the Minuit barely fit the waters but Admiral Florel with his skills squeezed the ship through without any complications. Like a veteran surgeon on the operating table with a scalpel, the blonde man was able to steer the large naval vehicle through the rivers with inches to spare at times. On the deck, Bahamut is holding the hand of the young girl. In her mouth is a bone of a chicken as she’s led around by the Dragon God.

“Ah Goddess. Please, we’ll soon be arriving at the village.”

“Is there anything I can do perhaps?”

“Hmmmm… well. The Dam guards told me about an infestation near the waters. But such a Blessed Goddess like you do not need to worry yourself with the problems of the Commoners. The local Lord shall take care of it.”

“Infestation?”

“Hm. Seems like some ancient curse was actually awakened. It destroyed a hundred hectares of farmland. There’s currently a war happening near the Steppes, so it might take a while for their Lord to return but it's far from anything bad. This region has thousands of hectares more available.”

“I see… and where is Alana?”

The Admiral points behind her, and the late teen Purebred woman was already there with her hands behind her back.

“Yes Bahamut?”

“Are you truly sure about this? There’s a reason why Master kept our powers hidden and only used for emergency purposes. Including mine most of all.”

“I am sure.”

“I see. Then, Admiral. I’d like to have my own guards. No need to call the local Lord.”

“No problem. I have two Knights that can help you.”

“Make sure they know how to control a crowd while not hurting anyone.”

Bahamut then lifts up the little girl to her arms and carries her around the deck as the ship approaches a wooden dock. The huge Galleon with four masts dwarfed the small port. With the fishermans boats looking like ants compared to the bow of the massive wooden and metal ship. Immediately, a staircase was deployed and Grunts and Knights of the Minuit spread throughout the entrance.

The Vampiric villagers bow in respect as Alana appears from the deck, looking down on the Peasantry that was going about their day. The Admiral clears his throat and swallows his saliva.

“Ahem. HEAR ME, HEAR ME. HER HONORABLE LADY, MARQUISE OF THE MINUIT HOUSE, LEADER AND OWNER OF THE COUNTRY’S WINERIES AND VAST NETWORK OF RAILS, Gaze upon hers truly, Marquise Alana le Minuit of Manor Chaîne de Montagnes of House Minuit!”

The grunts with trumpets blow their horns as she walks down the stairs wearing her old red gown. Unseen for hundreds of years, alongside her. A mysterious veiled woman cradling a little girl wearing an oversized white shirt. Arriving in the village proper. A well dressed man wearing a vintage suit greets the trio.

“Marquise. It’s such an honor to have you in our village. May you please hear us out in a problem? Our Lord has left for war, and we’ve been unable to fend a festering virus in our farms.”

“Oh my, what magnificent timing. I have someone that may be able to help with that problem.” Arriving behind her, Bahamut carrying a little girl tilts her head and then smirks. She was soon led to the back of the big village where hectares of hectares of land is nothing but wilted crops with the bright summer star looking down on it.

“I see… this shouldn’t be a problem. Last warning bloodsucker. Shall I truly go with this?”

“Our Lord is no longer here, and we have to prevent a war. Do it.”

Bahamut then turns around and looks at the village chief in his vintage well ironed suit and fedora. Putting down the little girl and holding her hand, she opens her palm to him.

“Hm?”

“Offer me an accord.”

“Accord? Who might you be Miss? An Ancient Witch? A Legendary Sorceress of sorts?”

“I shall reveal it to you later. For now, tell me. What can you offer me?”

“What do you want? Our village may be big but our main produce is agriculture. I doubt we will offer much money.”

“Something… important. Give me an object that one or many holds dear.”

“Hmmmm… let me think…” he then looks around, the young and stiff vampire with a chip on his shoulder then hears the cranking of a metal cow with the vectors of North, South, East, and West. “Oh that! The Outlanders from long ago, in ancient times, gave us that thing which they call a Farm Rooster. It’s supposed to tell us the direction of the wind. The farms have long been using it and many also in their daily work. It's the symbol of our community.” Bahamut looked at it and after staring for a second she nodded.

“Hand it to me.”

The Chief then gets close to the wall of the tall building and jumps to the top of it. Unscrewing the roof ornament, he quickly lands and returns to the Dragon. Offering it to her. Though rusty and squeaky, Bahamut nods again. She turns around and squats in front of the little girl.

“You see this? What do you think?”

“Gao!”

“Hm, it's good isn’t it?”

“Gaoao!”

Meanwhile, the village chief and Alana just stood there watching them. “Marquise, if I may, do you understand the little one? What did she say? Did she approve of it?” she shrugs and the man just smiles in confusion. Bahamut then stands up and the metal Rooster whose paint has long faded with the vectors disappears right before their eyes and the woman spreads her arms. “Cha’goft Wundos!” The crops then gets cleansed.

Divine sparkles can be seen right into the treeline and the corn they were growing suddenly sparks back to life and the soil, not only renewed but completely upgraded to a better and healthier version ready for the worst of winters and summers. Behind her, the little girl is absolutely astonished by the show, jumping up and down while clapping her hands.

Soon, the villagers also become astonished by her, following the little girl's happiness and clapping themselves. “Behold Commoners! The Goddess Bahamut has returned to our land! Give her your praise!” Alana’s powerful authoritative tone rings through the town and people start cheering, “SALVE BAHAMUT!” was the first scream of the crowd. Sneaking through the legs of everyone is a sheep with four horns and strange vertical eyes. It sees the little girl's long hair and starts munching on it slowly. But she was too happy to even notice it.

Bahamut merely puffs out a breath of fresh air and turns around to see the happy girl that was so impressed by her magic. “Ohh, aren’t you happy? Impressive eh? That’s the power of the Dragons. The very power that can also be found within you. If you grow strong enough,” the lady in black put her hand up her jaw and underneath her veil, she was smiling. “I guess I am far more revered than I expected.” she then flicked her finger, roasting the strange sheep that was munching on the little girl’s hair.

“Partake of that sheep tonight. It's blessed by my holy fire. C’mon Alana, let us leave.”

“Th-thank you Goddess! Salve Bahamut!”

“Salve Bahamut? Hmmm… I like the ring of that, bloodsuckers. Keep it up.”

Picking up the little girl, Bahamut boards the Minuits carriage that was just recently deployed from the Galleons cargo hold; she brazenly enters it before Alana. The Marquise then said some final words and thanked everyone and left for the open plains. Both sides of the road were loaded with hectares upon hectares of open farmlands. With Vampire Farmers using flying Gremlins and even Ravens that are summoned to pick up any critters that dare eat their crops. As the shiny gleaming carriage passed by, they’d remove their strawhats and make elegant bows with their left hand behind their backs.

“Bahamut, can you smell her?”

“Hmmmm… no.”

“Hah. Where could’ve she gone?”

“Are you sure she’ll be around here?”

“She should be. Lastly, I told her to keep near the villages. I swear, her majesty can never be kept in one place… Ugh, where could she have gone now?”

“And when was this?”

“Two hundred and fifty years ago. I got very busy afterward.”

“Haaaaa… well. If I do get any peculiar scents, I will point it out.”

Bahamut opened the window and the little girl stood on her lap as she peeked her head out to enjoy the summer breeze hitting her face.

“Are you gonna name her?”

“Hmmmm… no.”

“Eh? Is it due to some cultural thing?”

“Yes. A Dragon's name is very special, I need to know her real name. That name is fit for her, whatever her parents called her. It should be the right one. To change such a precious thing is taboo for us. It is like renaming your very essence, your name is yours to keep till death. You called that first, and shall be remembered as such till the end.”

“Then, have you checked her belongings? The cart might have something that’d contain her name.”

“I shall do that after we have settled the matter at hand. I’ve been so busy grooming her and teaching the little one about Dragon etiquette… so this is how Master felt with me.”

“Ahahahahah, oh. The change of shoes. It never ceases to entertain me. From books to real life, but you are doing very well as a first time mother.”

Bahamut then picks up the little girl by the armpits and rests her on her lap. Hugging the kid and placing her head on top of it. “Thank you. Our Master is a very good man. I hope I am able to give the love and care he gave to me, to you, to other beings. Not as a Dragon God, but as Bahamut. Isn’t that right?” the girl’s little hands grabs her cheeks and squishes it and laughs.

“Pfft. I never imagined you being a Mother.”

“Haaaa… yesh. It sheems like I have much toh du.”

Along the way, the carriage passes through a long column of soldiers marching in formation. To her surprise, many of them were no longer wearing Knight armor or chainmail of grunts, but instead leather with a vest of sorts while wielding rifles. Their uniforms, albeit shiny and showy, were in stark contrast to the bulky Noblemen in horseback still, armed with swords and a holster for a revolver.

“Things have changed this much even in the Vampire Kingdom?”

“Of course, as if we’d lag behind the other species in terms of technology.”

“If you have this… what would they have?”

“It's still nothing compared to what the Outworlders used to have. To this day, we’re still trying to figure out what makes their machines fly so fast and efficiently. Magic users aren’t helping with the situation, preferring to use Mana and sorcery to get the job done than machines. It had become a movement of sorts, to preserve Magic and its place in many industries.”

“I see, but even then. It's pushing forward. You already have such guns though vintage for our Masters world, what about vehicles?”

“Steam is the one that’s mostly used right now though Internal Combustion has also been making rounds in shows and conventions. You should see the Capital, we have a train running through the countryside that’s majority owned by the Minuits. Oh!” Alana perks up, flicking her finger. “Soon, we shall ride it. I have a surprise waiting for you and her majesty.”

“Trains?! Goodness, have I been asleep for so long that trains are already being used widely?”

Soon, the soldiers notice the expensive carriage and the seal of the Minuit. Everyone got to their knees and the Knights saluted the coach as it passed them. Erected on the steppes were tents ranging from big to small. Civilians mixed in with uniformed men, repairing, selling, and working on paperwork while the aides of the Nobles busy themselves with washing their Lord's clothes and shining their armor and weapons.

The entire camp looked like a small town that was on the move, with it having more people than soldiers. She then perks out the window and her nose twitches at the atmosphere of the place. The little girl then soon followed and her mouth watered. Alana’s head turns to the direction the two were looking at and sees that it was a bunch of Chefs cooking and roasting a huge gigantic pig with armored horns and its thick fur on the side, rolled up neatly. “Oh no you don’t!” The Marquise drags the two of them back to their seat and pulls up the window and locks the window. “Both of you, stay.”

After ten minutes of passing nothing but tents and soldiers and civilians, the coach soon clears the entire camp and their back at the open steppes. Alana then opens the window once again and lets the two Dragons smell the outside freely. “STOP!” The coach halts and Bahamut looks down on the little girl who is seemingly smelling something. “Oh, someone’s nose has already moved on. Of small attention span aren’t we?” the young one’s nose twitches at something in the direction of the distant mountain.

“Are you sure it's not just some Helion Pig?”

“Helion Pig?”

“It’s the unusually large pigs that litter this region. It was the same one being roasted with thick fur at the camp we passed.”

“No. If it was, the little one has long been gone. What can you smell?”

“Gawr! Gaoo!”

“I see, it's something with a dangerous but sweet smell.”

“Okay, that’s her. Let us change direction. Driver, take us North. Directly.”

The eight horses then enter the open grasslands of the steppes and speed through it. Not even twenty minutes has passed and the treeline that covered the base of the mountain became visible with the naked eye. Bahamut on the other hand stared at the soil and the leaves swaying peacefully with the gust of the wind. Before she knew it, her view of it was blocked and cut unceremoniously as the Coach entered the thick woodland.

“Okay, let us stop here Bahamut. I do not want to hurt my horses.”

“Hm. C’mon, I’ll cradle you little one.”

Alana opens the door and the little girl instead storms out and her head turns in two different directions before settling in one. “Gao!” the young dragon points at a random direction in the forest and Bahamut nods. “Hm. I smell her too. This rose-like yet sweetly dangerous smell. It's no debate. That is her. Aren’t you one with a good nose.” Impressed, Bahamut squished the little girl's pudgy cheeks as she smiled back at her caretaker and squished the Dragon Gods' more sleek and womanly face.

“Alright you two. Do that mother and daughter thing later.”

Walking into the forest. Alana follows Bahamut and the little girl in her arms who keeps pointing at the birds and random animals that seem to be elevated to see the Dragon God. Not even the large sedan sized Elks with large brutish horns would run away or feel threatened. But rather, they’d walk to her and stop a few meters away just to stare and look. “Don’t mind them, bloodsucker. My divinity is seemingly far more stronger than I expected. Nature itself is getting dragged to my presence. I’m not sparkling gold am I?”

“N-no. Bahamut. You're not.”

“Good. See this little one? Maybe one day. You’ll grow powerful enough for the forest to regard you as its God. To look at you with how they’d look at their mother.”

“Gao!”

Walking deeper into the forest as animals would occasionally pop out of the bush and birds landing on the branches of trees near them. Alana soon also smells the Majesty and pushes some bushes away, her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Mighty and high exuded from the scene in front of her, two women sat on top of a slab of a cut tree. A blonde woman wearing a purple gown and another, with silvery hair in a crimson dress with shiny armor incorporated into it, with a sword next to her.

“Oh my, I seem to have gotten visitors… and an old friend. How have you been Bahamut?”

“Peachy.”

“GAO!”

“OH! You’ve gotten yourself a daughter! How sweet. Look at her! Such golden eyes and puffed cheeks!”

“I shall explain the situation later. For now, who is that?”

The deathly pale woman with silver hair and a solemn expression as her gown of crimson, white, and armor moves as she stands up. Her entire ensemble was that of a Queen ready to kill. Alana on the other hand was already kneeling.

“Your Highness. I did not know you were going to join His Majesty in this expedition. I apologize for my intrusion.”

“Worry not Marquise. I shant hold thee longer.”

The woman then lightly taps the head of Alana and she stands up.

“Now, O’ Ancient Queen of this’eth eternal Kingdom. What is thee’s humble advise?”

“Go. Go with your husband, it is but your duty as a wife to be there for him. Agree or Disagree, you will have to one day face that question in such deep political matters. Be it in battle or in your private quarters, have no qualms. Fighting is common with those who truly love each other. Right Bahamut?”

“Hey! Me and Master might argue, but you literally twist your words to defeat him in one sentence!”

“Ahahahaha- I apologize for my laughter. But it brings me great joy to reminisce about olden times. Worry not, even if you disagree with the King. He believes in his cause, and so should you. Mine never wavered, till the end. He was there for me. Also, now that I have you here Bahamut, is he fine?”

“Hm. Master’s soul is good.”

“I am relieved. I was shocked when I learned that you went to slumber right after the fight. Ahhhh, it has been long hasn’t it?”

“Yes. So why is the current Queen here?”

“She asked me some problems about her husband. They haven’t met eye to eye in a decision about the current war.”

The standing Queen of the Vampire Kingdom walks to Bahamut as she tightens her grip on the little girl's hand. “Forgiveth me for my mannerism. May I speaketh to thee in norm?” the Dragon merely nods as the girl hides behind her dark gown. Only a single eye peeking out, even though the Majesty was awe inspiring with a silvery shining hair, her presence was more than enough to intimidate the little one. “So… you are the almighty Goddess that saved everyone. I am grateful to meet thee.”

“Same could be said to you…?”

“I apologize. My excitement has gotten over me. I am Queen Victoria Morgana of the Voltaire House. Matriarch of the Eternal Kingdom, ruling alongside my better half. King Henry the Fifteenth of House Charlemagnes.” the woman does an elegant bow, and Bahamut returns the gesture. “Oh my, good that you remembered what I showed you.”

“Of course. I’ve been thought by the best.” Elizabeth who's still sitting down sneaks a thumbs up and a wink. Even after all these years, she has not aged a bit and her hair has only gotten longer and more golden than ever.

“Forgive me, I only have stories from my Mother and the texts written from when you came here with a legendary heroic human man.”

“Master is considered Legendary? And Heroic? Pffft..”

“My, is that wrong? He is the only human to have a place in the Castle’s Hall of Heroes. A Port was even named after him.”

“EH? Really? Alana! Explain!”

“Hm. It's Port Jackson, the newest Port of the Kingdom located in our very South.”

“That is great. I knew Master would be remembered. He always said no one would know who he is and he’ll be buried alongside the many nameless soldiers who died in battle. But, I knew without having to look into the future that his deeds will not come unnoticed.”

“My Mother has told stories of him. He was a charmer-”

“PFFFFTTTT…. Mast-Master? A charmer? PFFT- BWAHAHAHAHAH!”

Elizabeth smiles at the laughing Bahamut. Her laugh reminded her of a special someone. “Alright, that is enough. Let us not laugh at someone who isn’t here. That is a bad omen to them.”

“Oh yes… please… I need air… ahhh.. Master. A charmer?”

“Was… I wrong? Mother also told me he was an excellent warrior and leader.”

Bahamut’s face then reverts to its usual blank state. “That’s not wrong. Be sure to remember Master for what he has done, the merits of his action and his accomplishments.”

“He is very well documented, with the testimony of our ancient leader and the Marquise, it is no doubt we have not a sullied version of what he has done nor have anything that may have dirtied his name nor achievements.”

“Good. Now, why have you approached me? Just to exchange pleasantries?”

“Nay. I’d like to ask, oh magnificent Goddess. Is it true that you have the body of the Primeval Princess Goddess of Death, Mors Letum?”

“I do. But not her body, this is mine. I am using her bones. It was being used as a lynchpin to teleport people from vast labyrinths that spread throughout the world. It was… a good coincidence as her bones fit my human form perfectly.”

“Then, is it possible for you to revive my dead troops? We're about to go to war, Goddess. Against the hybrids, even though the Gods of the Underworld whom they revere have been defeated and killed. Their strength has yet to waver through the waves of time and their ancient weapons, as deadly as it was before. Not even the eternity of the Vampires will last long against their blades made from the darkest of metals and blessed by the most cursed of them all.”

“I can. Hmmmm…” Bahamut then steps one foot forward into the face of the current Queen. Her hand then presents itself. “But offer me something first. Something shiny and full of love.” She then looks down at herself and sees that her gown had a loose ruby. The woman takes it without hesitation and gives it to the Dragon. “Hmmmmm… tell me little one. Do you think this is enough?”

“Gao.”

“I see. And?”

“Gao! Gao.”

“Ahahaha, you’ve learned well from seeing me do it once. Yes, as a Volcanic Dragon, your connection to the divine must be no question. Continue to home it, learn it and master it. You already know that this isn’t enough and I shall reward you for that.” Bahamut then materializes a Beef jerky out of nowhere. “I do not like making food out of thin air as it disrupts the cycle of life. But for you, I shall do it.”

“GAAAOO!” without question, the little girl devours it in one go. “So, you’ve heard the little one. I need more.” The Queen then looks around and she sees the knuckle guard of her Rapier is not only made out shiny crimson ruby but also has a rainbow shine to it. Unhooking it, leaving only the blade for her to use. The woman offers the pommel to Bahamut and without even thinking, she nods. “Good, tell your Priests who believe in me to pray in Perdita. Of the ancient spell of the Dragons for Revival. Reevus, in our language it means the Returning of the Soul. A truly ancient and elden spell. Do that while they read a passage from my Scripture, one about surviving the peril of death which is many.”

“Thank you Goddess. I shall make sure to make the best of this blessing, I will be victorious for my husband and the future of the Kingdom.”

“Also, before you go.” Elizabeth then stands up and places her hands on the Queen's shoulders. “Be sure to speak your mind to him. Be eloquent and prepare yourself to be rejected. But even then, learn to meet each other on an uncommon ground. Understand why he thinks this war is necessary, and think for yourself of what you want to accomplish with this information. Your job is not to bring him down, it is to elevate both of you into glory.”

“Hm. Thank you ancient one. The beauty you hold does not only speak true, but the wealth of intellect and wisdom you hold is worth more than a thousand monks and books.”

“Please, no need to flatter me. I am merely a maiden lost in time. One without purpose nor desire.”

Soon, the Queen departs into the forest leaving the four girls alone in the forest. Out of nowhere, Elizabeth gives Bahamut a big hug. Squeezing her soul out of her body as the Ancient Queen smiled and soon, she locked eyes with Alana who tried to escape but even after so many years, she was still faster and captured the Marquise and gave her a tight squeeze which put her into sleep.

“Now, for the little one!”

The little girl could only put her hands together as she was backed into a tree. With Elizabeth walking over Bahamut’s unconscious body from the love filled hug. “Come to me little one, I shall give you all the love of a doting mother.”

Soon, Bahamut awakens and the carriage is fast approaching a well lit town. Looking down on her body, the little girl is hugging her with arms and feet. While Elizabeth giggles, sitting down on the chair opposite of her.

“What… did you do?”

“Nothing. I merely hugged her and patted her head… for an hour or two.”

“Haaaaah… well… I see you're still yourself. I guess that’s good enough.”

“Of course. I am not bound by time, a thousand years could pass and I am still the same. Just like you. Though, you have gotten a new aura.”

“Hmph. My Godly powers are in its full bloom. But that won’t affect me nor my personality. Where are we headed anyways?”

“We’ll be catching the Red Rose Express. The Minuit’s personal train or so Alana had told me.”

“Ugh… just how long have I been asleep?”

“Quite long Bahamut. If it weren’t for you looking the very same as before, I would’ve never even remembered who you were.”

The carriage arrives at the town and Bahamut awakens the sleeping Alana who then takes them to the platform. The classical style of the small train station was fit for the countryside as the clock hanging on a post shows its almost 8 in the evening and most of the town has already closed. Leaving the three women to stand on the empty platform as the little girl was fast asleep hugging the Dragon God.

“How long do we have to wait here? I am hungry.”

“Just a bit. I’ve told my Butler to call for the train. It's parked at a Siding a Cessel away from here. Oops, I meant Kilometer.”

“It’s fine. It's not like I do not understand your units of measurement. Nonetheless, I shall be on the bench there. The young one has yet to let me go.”

“Hm. You’ve really grown attached to her haven’t you?”

“I suggest looking at the Queen rather than me.”

Bahamut nonchalantly walks to the green station bench with the little dragon girl latched onto her front like a backpack and Alana looks to her left to find the Queen completely gone. She then smells her standing on top of the station roof with her hand on her hip. Looking out into the direction of the East. The wild wind blew her hair into the side, showing its golden color as the Moon and its cracked satellite lit up the evening. Not a bit did her beauty fade with the boundless reach of time.

“A train is coming.” Alana then turns to face where she is looking and the white smoke of a steam locomotive could be seen puffing from the forest. Soon, the train comes into view. The 4-4-2 arrangement of the locomotive was nothing special, but one could see the influence of the Vampires on how it was presented. Even for a Freight service, the train was extravagant, its huge cylindrical boiler was fully polished with a bright green color, bronze lining on its handles and accessories, a shiny cowcatcher that's metallic and cleaned to perfection. They could even see their own reflection as the steamer chugs pass them from how well it was being taken care of.

Even the boxcars it was pulling are freshly painted and its bogies newly oiled as it blows past them at high speed. Alana could see and read clearly what the boxcars were for, as it was painted in the colors of the Military and the white text on its side wrote about Cannon and Rifle rounds. Soon, the train disappears into the horizon and the pressure plate activated signal light changes to red while the other one changes to green. “Looks like my train is coming.” Elizabeth then lands next to her.

“You really are one demanding woman.”

“Your Majesty, I must get with the times. If I weren’t to do so, I would’ve long been outclassed by the fifty Houses… and wait, who are you to stay with that? Weren’t you the one who had multiple personal castles built and her own army of near purebred Vampire Knights?”

“Even then, a personal train? I like the sound of that. Such posh and show of power is my kind of thing. Your own personal Iron Horse to ferry you in absolute luxury and decor. I like the sound of that.”

“Funnily enough your majesty. My train is not even made by us Vampires.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it was found in the city of Zavalda. They called her Daylight, the Queen of Steam. It seems to have been meant to be the Mayor and Governors personal armored train.”

A whistle is then heard, disturbing the quiet and eerie countryside train station. Bahamut’s human ears twitched as she could hear the chugging and the roar of a steamer far away. “You really showy you know that?”

“What can I say? I’ve also learned from the best.”

“Hah, good. Learn more, for I desire to see if a woman could ever outbeat me in my own game of extravagant presentations.”

Appearing in the horizon from when the other train disappeared into was a huge locomotive with 4-8-4 wheel arrangement. Its massive drive wheels coloured in black while the cylinder and the sleek aerodynamic retro Deco Art style of the train in a two tone color of the Minuits Crimson and Red. Behind it, four Baggage Pullmans and twelve Pullman Coaches. On each side of the train was the seal of the Minuits, on the cowcatcher of the aerodynamic train the flag of Rose Cramoisie and on top, next to the exhaust is the logo of the family.

The shiny and well painted train then stops at the station, only two of its Pullmans fitting the platform as well dressed servants rolled the red carpet and bowed. “Alright, come. We must reach the capital immediately.” without question, they all boarded the train with the little girl still sleeping as she tightly hugged Bahamut. The long 6-star train chugged along the dark railway that cuts straight through the forest of Schon. The only light that could be seen for miles was the one from its windows and the front headlight.

The long lone locomotive puffed its way into high speeds as Bahamut and her little friend ate everything in the Dining car while Elizabeth quietly enjoyed the trail of the locomotive in the last car. The Observation Pullman with a beautiful glass sunroof for guests to enjoy the night sky in all its beauty all the while Alana is up in the front. In her own personal Office Car where the telegraph would send her information and she’d reply to them. The Marquise would then occasionally visit the Coffee car and then the Diner to check on Bahamut and the little girl.

Before they knew it, the sight of the city of Ville De La Nuit was in sight and the Sun was only about to rise in the horizon. The city, though still retaining its Gothic architecture was slowly being encroached by steel girders of the newer buildings and the Dragon Towers transformed into heavy and bulky metal ones capable of taking in hundreds of tons of cargo and even the sizes of fully grown Wyverns without a problem. Even though it was early in the morning, the city was more than alive already.

With the train arriving on a Grand Station with ten platforms, the bustling place full of Vampires everywhere all stopped what they were doing and faced the Minuit’s lavish locomotive with polished golden finish and when the door opened, everyone bowed and removed her hats to show respect. She soon takes them to the street level, the roads completely changed to cobblestone and concrete. There a convoy of old model cars with the flimsy hair thin wheels took them to the largest Church in the city. One with the concrete statue of Bahamut with her wings spread out on its tower’s roof.

“What?! What do you mean the Marquise is coming? She didn’t even schedule us!”

“Cardinal… as we speak, her convoy arrives. She only sent the telegraph last night, but everyone was asleep.”

“Bring me my vestments! Clean the floors and get the roses up! Let’s move it! The biggest sponsor of our Church is about to arrive!”

A young Vampire man then wears his Cardinal attire, with a big Mitre and a Ferralulo. The man's outfit was made out of the finest silk and with the crimson color of the Minuit mixed with the Black brooding one of Bahamut. Appearing into the lobby, the guests stand up at the sight of their Cardinal and he bows at them elegantly as he fast walks to the door preparing himself for the arrival of the High Noble. “Please, please, please.” The Nuns opens the door and he stands at ease with his choir members behind him in formation.

A few hundred meters away, the Minuit’s convoy turns into the large courtyard of the Church with a garden that’s well trimmed and loved. He then looks down on himself and makes sure his rings are all properly aligned and soon, Alana arrives with three other people with her.

“Lady Minuit! May the Goddess of the Void, Queen of the Abyss Bahamut, bless you!”

“Enough with the chit chat. I require you to send out a call for arms. Have the Knights of Bahamut come to the Fortress city of Cróga! There is a war to stop!”

“E-EHHHHH?! Marquise, I cannot do that. Not without-”

“The order of the Dragon Pope? The Pope won’t be doing anything, he is surrounded already and if he was to send out a call to arms. War would occur. Instead, I’ve bought someone whose privilege outlevels even his.”

“Hm?”

Bahamut then raises her hand. “Yo.” The Cardinal in his full best look just raises a single eyebrow. “Marquise, who is this snake lady?”

“S-SN-SNAKE LADY?! DRE VOGH-”

Alana quickly rests her hand on the Dragons shoulder. “Cardinal Vraxus, this is Bahamut herself. The very Goddess you worship.”

“Really…?”

Without even questioning the Minuit any further. He walks up to Bahamut and sniffs her. “She does ooze divinity… but… it’s not what I was told the Goddess would possess.”

“Do you want me to turn into my Dragon form? And why did you name yourself after Vraxus? Do you know that fool doesn’t ever stop talking? Everytime I’d meet him, that Eldar Dragon would speak my ears out.”

“Gao!~”

“Oh my, who is this? A child? A dragon!”

The little girl points at the Cardinal’s hat. “Gao!”

“I see, well I cannot give it to you sadly. But a Dragon like you needs to learn before you can have such headwear. Missus?”

“Bahamut.”

“Are you truly… wait.”

He then stares into her veil and sees her strange golden eyes with a perimeter around the pupil and the seemingly shining stars of space inside her very iris. “Wait, Head Nun!”

“Yes Cardinal.” The young Vampire woman kneels before the Marquise and then faces the man. “Bring me the Book of Bahamut.” she nods and the woman runs back inside to the Altar and picks up the thick book and gives it to the high ranking priest.

“Thank you. Now, could it truly be…?!”

Swiping through the first chapter, the man then reads through the passage of Bahamut gaining her Godhood.

“Within the day she defeated the Eldar Dragon Marcellus, the mighty Black Dragon from the far away Volcanic Group of the Eastern Ravines in the Dark Continent acquired her last throng of Divinity, the Black Dragon shone a golden light around her and soon, her eyes turned to a golden shine, a pupil that could see to the ends of the world and another thinner ring around it to see the creatures unbeknownst to mortals and from the other side and the iris of the planets.

Thus Bahamut became titled the Goddess of the Void, with the divinity she held now reaching the same as the Primeval Goddess of Darkness and her adroitness to the power of the Abyss granting her full access to the side of the Living and the Dead. Commanding the very Abyss mortals dare not to venture into and the Void that takes the space between the realms.”

He then looks at Bahamut and back at the paragraph. After a few back and forth, he nods. “Okay, but I am not sold. Marquise, what if she is just some powerful Witch? It's not uncommon for those powerful enough to receive the blessed Golden Eyes!”

“Such a perimeter around the pupil does not exist here. Only creatures and people from the world of Tur possess such a thing, Cardinal.”

“This cannot be… one last thing. Please Marquise, this might change everything. The return of our Goddess… the centuries of mockery to us might finally be over.”

“Make haste, Cardinal. I know the Church cannot afford anymore scandals and problems. But this is truly her.”

Facing Bahamut, the Cardinal steps aside and gestures for her to enter. “Come little one.” She then takes the little girl's hand and leads her inside. “Gaow!” she pointed at the statue of the Goddess inside and it was her wearing not her sulky dark gothic funeral dress but instead one a commoner would wear. “E-EHHH! HEY! WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT!” without him even knowing, the Vampire was getting dragged by the Dragon to the altar as the other patrons praying to her just stared at the rowdy woman.

“HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?!”

“Wha-wha-what do you mean lady?! That’s been our statue of you for hundreds of years!”

“I-I-I ONLY WORE THIS ONCE! ONCE! WHY IS IT THE BIGGEST STATUE HERE?!”

“The Pope had said that this is a better representation of Bahamut! She was called the Goddess that Walks Amongst the Mortals! The Goddess that slept in carriages and taverns with a human! The one that is with the Commoners!”

“T-That is true! But change that at once! I never knew I’d feel this much embarrassment!”

“I cannot! The Pope and Bishops with us Cardinals will have to be called to Cróga which is under siege by the believers of Godefroy! Let go of me you crazy lady!” The Vampire tries to push her hand away but his eyes widen at the fact that even with his strength, the woman wasn’t flinching a bit. Alana and Elizabeth are just on the door enjoying the show with the choir and Nuns while outside, the Minuit’s Knights are blocking the way inside as people fill the courtyard as lunch fast approaches.

“Grrrrrr… little one! Sit down there!” she points at the front pew and the little girl without question follows her order. “I shall show you how to use fire. Show me you fire!”

“Gaaaaoooo! Rawr!” with all her strength and soul put into it, the little girl only puffs a plume of gray smoke. “I see, this is how you make fire. Dre Fraeya!” a swirling tornado of fire materializes inside the Church and the patrons inside open their arms. “Oh my! The flames of a Dragon God!” They then breathe fire themselves. “Ah! You're all Wyverns! Hear me, my lesser cousins! I’ve returned from my slumber, no more shall your belief in me be questioned! I am Goddess Bahamut of the Void! From a foreign world both far and near this place! Know my strength!”

The spiraling tornadoes of flames then dissipate and the Churchgoers rush to meet the Goddess but winged Knights come from the door and block them. Some try to reveal their Wyvern wings and take flight to touch their Goddess but the Vampiric Knights were stronger and pushed them to the ground.

“Now. Bring me to your leader.”

“O-of course Goddess! This is a great blessing to have you here with us! Please, take a seat! Nuns! Servants! With me now and bring me the Enchanted Mirror and meat! Lots of meat!”

Running back to her with her small legs, the little girl roars again and only a puff of smoke appears. “Pfft. After all this, I shall teach you the ancient use of words, the ones who walk this realm of the physical called Spells." Soon, servants from left to right started bringing her slabs of Steak which without question, the woman removed her crown and veil. But before she could dig it, a cough emits from behind and sitting at the pew from the back of her is Elizabeth. “Gaaah… Little one, I shall also teach you now how to use Spoons and Forks." One of the servants then unravels utensils covered by cloth and another one walks to them and hands the large utensils to the little girl. She tried to stick the fork into the slab of steak and it didn’t even manage to dig any deeper than an inch. “I might have to do this the old ways.”

“Ahem.”

“Hm? What is it now, Bloodsucker?”

“What do you mean by old ways? I hope this isn’t what I think it is.”

“Feeding through the mouth. That’s how my mother fed me when I was small.”

“Haaaah… do this instead. Cut the steak into tiny parts.”

“Ehhhh… but that removes so much of the taste!”

“Do it. You don’t want to make a bad image of the Marquise now won’t you?”

“Haaaah… give me the plate.”

After half an hour, the door opens and the Cardinal grasps at the sight. The lobby was full of both Vampires, Foreigners and Dragons. All wanting to take a look at the Goddess who was behind an army of the Minuits Knights. “Oh! Such greatness! It is our Goddess truly! Play the Hymn of Inanis! The blessed Goddess walks amongst us once again!'' The talking Mirror takes the attention of Alana and she stands up and kneels. “High Pope Bahameer, it is a pleasure to be in your presence. I thought you wouldn’t answer the call due to your circumstances.”

“Simmer down Marquise Minuit. Where is the so-called Goddess?”

“High Pope! You mustn't be here! They might be listening in!”

“Nonsense! What kind of Pope would I be if I cannot face the Goddess who we so adore that we’d give her our life and death, What? just because I am surrounded by an army of fools? Dissidents moronic enough to believe the jabble of the Church of Godefroy?”

All the while Bahamut has finished her fill of meat and is feeding the little girl small tiny cutlets of the ribeye steak she’s given.

“Also little one. When trying to use a Dragon's fire. Do not use your muscles or anger. But instead, use your soul and the pace of your heart. Do so and your fire shall not only be crimson but burning of the ichor of the oldest species, one that hasn’t evolved since the start for we are born as the perfect warriors of the land, maybe one day, your fire will be like mine.”

“Hm! Gao!”

“Annddd… I guess I’ll also have to teach you Dragonian.”

“Oh my…” the Enchanted Mirror shows a ghostly image of the High Pope in his full ornamental dress robe with other Cardinals and Bishops in smaller images around him. They all looked closer with their heads looking like giant versions making the little girl laugh and point at the magical glass which the Dragon God then stares at. All of them grasp like a symphony at the sight of her. “It truly is… GODDESS BAHAMUT! SHE HAD COMETH TO SAVE US!”

“SILENCE BISHOP!”

“Bahameer? Hmph. I see you continued the tradition of my Followers in Tur. I thought the man here was only named Vraxus due to his love for Dragons. To think you’d be blessed with the name of the former Dragon God of the Void. Tell me High Pope Bahameer, what had thou accomplished? Do you even know the language of the Dragons in Tur? Il’ Cou hou dre kreitz ‘ft aouywan”

“Ah, Hou dre kretiz, ‘ft aywan Bahamut.”

“Good. You have an accent also, though the pronunciation is not the same as a Native. I am sure you can also nitpick my use of your language.”

“Your Dragonian is as perfect as a Goddess. It’s actually a Northern accent.”

“Yes, because I learned the language there. Now, is this everyone?”

“Not all. There’s still hundreds more Blessed Goddess. But many did not believe it. I personally had my doubt the Marquise will pull through, but as usual. The Vampires do not fail to impress. Your eyes… It truly is as beautiful and divine as the stories tell. I can see the galaxies just by looking at them.”

The middle aged man whose body is way to built for his age that’s strikingly imposing itself from the holy garb he wore towered over the other Bishops and Cardinals. Whose jaws and expression still show shock and disbelief.

“I thank you, a Great Wyvern such as yourself should know. I do not fool around when my Followers, those who believe in me are being prosecuted. I wanted to avoid this by making small Cults. But to think it has grown to this extent…”

“Ah yes, the Church of Bahamut has almost a thousand and three hundred years of active service. Bringing faith back to the Dragons. Blessed Goddess, what do you wish for us to do?”

“I believe in you, your voice rings me a familiar person and your tone that of a warrior. A Great Wyvern. Tell me instead, can you waste the creatures that dare deface my Church?”

“I can… but many of them are merely people. Innocents dragged by the Church of Godefroy to do their bidding. If I were to transform, the Senatorium of the Dragon Kingdom would have my head, Blessed Goddess.”

“Smart move. Then, what do you suggest?”

“Come here Blessed Goddess. Visit your biggest Cathedral that lies in the Fortress city of Croga. Prove to these heathens that you are not the Evil Goddess they so fear. A maneater and destroyer of worlds.”

“Hmph. Do these creatures even know my heart belongs to a man?”

“I am sure words and the truth will not pass through them. Right by this moment, they’ve erected makeshift barriers around the Cathedral. Preventing our usual Patrons and Guests from doing their weekly prayers and service, Blessed Goddess. Thus our followers started a fight against them, though things have calmed down. It won’t be long till hostilities return.”

“I shall follow your recommendation. Shall I come alone?”

“No, please. Bring an army as the Marquise wishes. The Knights of Godefroy are not to be trifled with. They have this many followers for their holiness is unmatched. If you were to go here alone and slaughter them, we’d truly prove them correct. They’ve destroyed countless Crypts and Dungeons, and sealed Labyrinths bringing peace to the land. Goddess, may you summon the Dragon Knights of Bahamut? The ones that live in the Void, ready to come to your aid?”

“I only do that if the situation truly calls for it. My Dragon Knights can even put a dent into a Chosen One… I shall see when I arrive. Alana.”

“Yes Bahamut?”

“May you summon your Knights for this?”

“I only have a thousand though. I may also bring in my Grunts but that would take months of preparation.”

“A thousand Knights… Bahameer, how many do you need?”

“Five thousand Knights if it's non-human. The soldiers of Godefroy come from the many human nations in Geraldia, Goddess. But the powerful Knights of the Vampires, more so of her Marquise, the biggest and most loyal investor of the Church can bring even the Golden Cavalry of Gareth to heel.”

Elizabeth then stands up and walks to the front with her hands together.

“I shall donate a thousand and hundred of my personal Crimson Knights of the Blood Moon.”

“Y-Your Majesty! Are you sure?! Such an ancient Knight army with its track record will surely not only intimidate but vilify us.”

“The history of the Crimson Knights has been defiled enough. Not once has these men lost a battle. Even against all odds, they stood to fight for me. They deserve to fight for something that is truly Godly. Just once.”

“Haaaaa… it's not like I’ll be able to stop you. Bahamut?”

“It’s not a problem. They shall march alongside my Knights. Any help is necessary as it seems, I’ll be regulated to only performing miracles and not slaughtering the morons who stand against my followers.”

“Ah, I’ve only heard stories of you Ancient Queen of Blood. The one whose thirst is eternal and boundless as you march through a mountain of bodies you’ve stacked. Queen Elizabeth Bartley.”

“Yes, that is me. Though it’d be better if my name is associated with something less like an Antagonist in a fairytale story.”

“Do not worry, I am also aware of your heroism and redemption. I think the last name you were given was the Queen of Beauty and Eternity.”

“Ah, that is better. Though not as pinchy as the names given to Bahamut. I’ll take that rather than what I was called before.”

“To think this is the legendary troupe the Human General has assembled for the short time he was here. I am blessed to be here today, alive and well. To witness this great and divine group together.”

“We’re missing our Master. But I shall let him rest. He has done enough.”

“I shall wait for you, O’ Blessed Goddess. I shall convene with the Bishops and Cardinals. We have Dragons on our side, we shall be able to mobilize quickly enough.”

“Hm. Do you have any other requests?”

The Pope kneels inside the Mirror alongside the Cardinals and Bishops. “Goddess, please, give us your blessing and magic.”

“And what kind of blessing do you wish to have?”

“One that steels our resolve, and marks our soul with your strength for the upcoming battle.”

The Dragon God stands up, wearing her crown and veil as she leaves the little girl to munch on the cutlets of steak. Breathing in, she stands before the Mirror, the golden frame with the amethyst neatly placed on its stop showing the Glory of the Dragonkin, and most of all, the name of Bahamut.

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the Dragon of the Desert that gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

She then stares directly into the Mirror. Her golden eyes brightly reflected on it.

“And thus with a hundred years of hunting the beast. I’ve killed him. A hundred years of learning the lesson that the creatures made by those who are not worthy, do not belong in the world of the living. Do you hear my plight? My adventure and misgivings? The lesson I learned from this battle and will you apply it to your life and daily living?”

“As the Goddess wills, for the Dragons ancient wisdom is untethered to the Primeval Gods themselves.”

“Then I speak unto you in your tongue, in your language. Carry on with this story in mind, and the flame of your soul shall not waver through ten days of horrors, not even the screams of Hell may be able to distraught you. Here are the words of a Dragon that has lived through time itself and became a God.”

“As the Goddess speaks, for the Dragons ancient words are untethered to the Primeval Magic itself.”

With a quick blink, everyone in the mirror suddenly shone a golden aura around them which quickly disappeared. “Behold! True Magic, Magic that not even the Chosen Ones may wield so easily! Carry on my Noble believers! Wield your sword with your soul, and vanquish all those who dare defile the name of the Dragon God of the Void!”

One by one, the images of the men on the mirror disappear, with the last one going to the Pope himself. Not wasting time, she walks to the Marquise while picking up the little girl.

“Alana, what’s the size of the Kingdoms Air Force?”

“Our Air Corps has a few hundred Wyverns. Shall I talk to Garrana?”

“She’s still alive and well?”

“Hm. She has her own Manor and Land now and is considered a Duchess.”

“Tsk. We don’t have the time. Just get whatever you can. For now, let us get to where Elizabeth’s Knights are located.”

“They should be buried under the Castle.”

“Your Majesty, you buried them?”

“Well… how else was I gonna prevent them from getting captured?”

In the Castle that’s now surrounded by taller buildings and streets full of Steam powered and Internal Combustion cars. The Knights of the Marquise led them inside as Elizabeth instructed them on where to go. Soon, they reach an old decrepit Dungeon deep inside the Palace and there, she presses on a random Cobblestone Brick on the wall which opens a secret door.

With a flick of her fingers, it reveals a large warehouse. The lamps turn open revealing the Gothic Crimson armor of her ancient Knight Army. All 4,500 of them lined up perfectly in formation collecting dust and grime. But the shine on their armor had not once been dulled and their weapons, with a rainbow reflection as the light bounced off the blades of their Rapiers and Longswords were as sharp as the day they were made, another flick echoing through the large underground storage made a rumble.

One by one, the Knights awaken. One of them, wearing a more bulkier armor with large spikdes on his pauldron salutes to Elizabeth and kneels with a hand on his heart.

“Almighty Queen, I see that you have awakened us. What is our mission?”

“I shall need a thousand and five hundred of you to march alongside the Dragon Knights. Bring peace to Croga and save my dear beloved friend’s Church from being destroyed and defiled.”

“Is this her? Such divinity.”

Bahamut tilts her head at the man, though his face was entirely covered by the intimidating and scary helmet of the Crimson Knights that even made the little girl cower behind her black skirt. The Dragon God only looked in curiosity. “Aren’t you a strong one?”

“I am Eighty Percent Purebred. Many of my colleagues here who's just waking up are Seventy to Seventy-Five Percent Purebred.”

“No wonder… the Mana in this room. It's getting more and more muzzled as you awaken. Elizabeth, just what was this army…?”

“One that I made to squash all those who dare oppose my rule that spanned across the planet.”

“...”

“What? Don’t look at me like that Bahamut. I’ll have you know that yes, I might’ve used them to force entire Nations and Continents to do my bidding and threaten any Vampire House to dare question me. But just like my Knives, the Black Assassins. I will never use them again for such purposes.”

“Haaaaa… good thing you never showed this to Master. If he found this. He might’ve taken home an armor or two.”

“Pffft… BAHAHAHAHA!”

Alana then also starts laughing alongside Elizabeth as Bahamut and the little girl looked in confusion. “Of course! Of course he would… he was our Lord after all. That man would’ve liked to get one of these sets of armor and their weapon.”

“Oh M’Lord would no question do it, your majesty. Even when I first met him. His carriage was so full of many things.”

“He was our Lord afterall. Haaaaah… yes. I do like to remember such good times. Sad that time must carry on, but I am happy that I get to experience it.”

“Should we go now? Alana, you must get them into the Air Corps immediately and have them transported.”

“No worries, it won’t even take a month now. A few days at best, but I shall get trains rented for us in Geraldia. For now, you must get to Elvennur.”

“Knight Master.” The Crimson Knight then faces Elizabeth and kneels once again with his hand on his heart. “Yes, your highness?”

“Follow me and the band of Knights I’ve requested. Meet me in the courtyard. Make haste.”

“Yes your highness!”

Not wasting a single moment, the Knights assemble. While the ones from the Minuit House just look in the awe inspiring ancient Noble warriors of their Kingdom. Intimidating in their posture, with the logo of the Bartley House in their shields. The mighty warriors marched upwards as they dusted their armor.

After assembling at the courtyard, Alana called up her own troops and they managed to get 2,500 powerful Knights. No squires or grunts, only armored men from neck to toe all lined up in formation. Soon, they are sent to the Dragon Towers and Bahamut with a quick whisper to her ears by Alana, takes off with the little girl riding on top of her head. Leaving behind Alana and Elizabeth as they get everything together. Using her divinity, it wasn’t long until she reached the territory of the Elves in Geraldia.

“Gao! GAO! Woooooo!”

“Please, little one! Sit down and don’t do anything! You might fall off!”

“Woooooo! Rawwwrrr! Whoosh!”

Seeing that the little girl wasn’t gonna stop. She makes even more haste to reach Elvennur. Smelling the air, she could detect something strange a bit far ahead and all of the sudden, shiny propeller driven aircrafts faced her head on. They soon made a 180 degree turn. The sharply long eared pilots stared in awe of the massive Black Dragon and most of all, to the faint white little thing riding on top of her head.

“Elvennur, this is Rider. We got a large Dragon heading towards the city proper. Its size alone dwarfs it. Permission to fire over.”

“Negative, we received a message from the Kingdom of Rose. A special telegraph that a Goddess is arriving. Your objective has changed to escort.”

“A Goddess…? Wow…” the pilot removes his aviator hat and then headset. His eyes wide open to the view of the Dragons wings. A single membrane alone on it is larger than his propeller driven aircraft. Little by little, the huge creature was outpacing them and soon disappeared into the clouds. “Goddess Forrus be with us. Bless is with your plentiful life and the greenery of the forest. May you take a gander at our love for your creation and children… wow…” he then kisses a leaf that was inside his pocket and pushes the throttle to 110%.

As he arrives at the view of their magnificent flying city. Sat on top of a slab of rock spanning a few kilometers on all sides. There was no sight of the Dragon.

“Rider, this is Elvennur. The Goddess has arrived in the Administrative Hall. Return to base for refuel.”

“C-Copy Elvennur. Rider One to all Rider callsigns. Return to base.”

Bahamut quickly walks through the huge atrium of the High Elves main building. The well dressed men and women of the flying city looked with confusion at the sight of the random tall hyman woman in a gothic funeral gown and a little girl wearing an oversized white shirt with long hair walked into the direction of the reception area.

The great atrium had twenty pillars of marble with the area between them having a large bronze and gold statue of great High Elves throughout the years and in the entrance, above it. The beautiful image of Goddess Forrus, in all her glory painted in the shiniest platinum and diamond stone found on the entire planet with a floating halo that has four large gemstones of differing colors flying through each other's paths without making contact with one another.

Being a young little girl, the red dragon was astonished by the architecture of the Elves and the glory and attention they put to even the thousands of shiny marble tiles on the floor to how their guards dressed in the finest cloth available to their species.

“Hello human. How may we help you? The Republic is currently only open to a select few humans per day. So the queue may take you multiple days to weeks.”

“I have no time! Where is the Office of the Military?”

“That’d be in the right building attached to the main atrium. For whom you’d you like to contact?”

“The Commander of the High Elves Air Forces, Sir Trenthaus.”

“General Trenthaus is currently not taking in humans. Most of our Military commanders are still not willing to engage with your species sadly. So you must-”

Without even waiting for her to finish, the Dragon God puts the little girl on her shoulders. Letting her sit there. To help her stabilize, she makes her metallic horns appear with the young one used as a handle while the woman walks through the atrium and to the Office of the Military. Unable to read the words, she nonchalantly sniffed the air. “General Trenthaus, smells of gunpowder and aircraft oil… hmmm… what do you think little one?”

“Gao?”

“I see. Yes, that must mean he is either flying right now or he frequents the airbases more than enough for him to smell like that.”

Appearing from behind was a squad of High Elves wearing composite Knight armor. “HEY! STOP!” Bahamut turns around and sees the men shoving people away to get to her. “Oh, this is getting fun.” lifting her skirt up a bit, just enough to reveal her black high heels and dark stockings. The woman starts jogging through the slippery tiles without effort, taking the little girl for a ride as the two sniffed the air looking for the General.

Without tiring, the Dragon God quickly changed from one floor to the other. Ultimately reaching the top floor with the High Elves chasing her only multiplying threefold with some of them armed with rifles and magic wands. “Gao!” the little girl points at the middlemost office and Bahamut nods. “I smell it too.” Without question, she sprints to it and sees the glass on the door showing a Griffin with its wings spread out and the name and rank of someone in a language she’s unfamiliar with.

Opening it, the High Elf inside with graying hair gets spooked by the humanoid human with protruding Dragon horns and an ancient crown with the design of Dragons.

“Are you General Trenthaus?”

“Dragonian? What’re you?! Get out of my office immediately.”

“Sit down. I am Bahamut.”

“Ba-Bahamut?”

“Yes, I am her. The Goddess who you secretly pray to.”

“HAH! As if! I only believe in Forrus! That is heresy! Blasphemy to believe in any other God than her!”

“I was told by Marquise Alana that you are the one secretly smuggling Scriptures of my Church and distributing them to the people.”

The door then violently rocks behind her. Wasting no time, she nonchalantly kicks the chair backwards into the handle and uses magic to materialize molten metal on its legs. Preventing it from moving.

“Hah! As if! So there is a traitor amongst our ranks?! Someone-” as he spoke in an aggressive and demeaning tone, he picks up the notepad on his desk and starts writing something down. “Who is smuggling heretical books of a religion we do not believe in! To think it would be someone in the Office of the Military! The most distinguished and beloved institution in this Republic!”

“Goddess, I am sorry for my tone and words but they are listening and I cannot expose myself. Not yet.”

“...”

“Guards! Call in the soldiers outside and have them bring in the ox ram!”

“I am deeply blessed to be with you Goddess. I’ve always admired the Dragons and their art of flight. When I learned of the religion of a Dragon God that accepts everyone, I couldn’t help myself.”

“Hmph.” The High Ranking General then gives her a map. Circling a section of the city and he once again picks up his notepad.

“Ah! So you are going to leave! Good! Do not come back human! You disgusting cretins! Mongrels all of you!”

“Meet me here Goddess. I shall arrive there in an hour or two.”

With a flick of the finger, the woman disappeared right before him and a typhoon of High Elves in full armor piles into his door. “What’re you arseholes doing?! Do you know who I am?!” without breaking a sweat, they all stood up with their hands behind their backs. “Indignant guards! Return to your posts immediately! The intruder is long gone! Go before I have your families thrown into the ground below!” without even questioning him. They all run to the stairs as he takes a locket and opens it. “Lower the alert level. Intruder is taken care of.”

He then rips the page he had written on and eats it. Even as he performed such humiliating action, he stood with a strong posture as he proudly wore his dark blue uniform with gold epaulets and numerous medals on the left of his chest. Swallowing the paper, he takes his peaked officers cap and fixes his silk white glove. Shining his leather shoes as he looked his best and left whatever he had on his plate at the moment.

Inside a dingy alley, a military staff car driven by a Private stops and the General steps out. Once again, cleaning his uniform and making sure it has no wrinkles at all. “Reveno. Get out, I’ll call you if I wish to get transported back.”

“Yes sir, General Trenthaus.”

The vintage staff car drove out of the alley and appearing from the shadow was Bahamut. Eating a Golden apple with the little girl. The High Elf then removes his cap and kneels in one leg. Lowering his head before her.

“Blessed Goddess, I have received the request from the Marquise. I have already sent out a mobilization order to a select few of my Airships and Crewmen alongside their deployable Platoons.”

“Ah, do I have that many believers even in this country?”

“Yes Goddess. I am one of them, and I cannot be pleased enough to meet you. At least rather than her divine Goddess Forrus. You walk amongst us and mingle with us. For you to take the form of a human, the weakest of all the races. I cannot even say in words how much I admire you. I apologize for how I acted but I have a daughter and son and a wonderful wife to protect at home. I cannot expose myself. If willing, I am open to giving you my entire soul as penitence for how I have spoken to you.”

“I have no need. A majestic and warrior-like soul is better to be used till the person who has it dies of natural causes. Stand up General.”

The High Elf, though having the looks of a handsome middle aged stud, his height stood an inch or two taller than the Dragon God with an imposing build of someone who has been fighting for his entire life.

“I shall live through the rest of my days knowing my first encounter with a God was me saying such disrespectful words. I hope my aid is more than enough, what the Church of Godefroy is doing is unforgivable. Though that is iconic coming from someone who is the head of an Air Force that carries out more devious deeds than them. I shall not stand idly by as the Cathedral of her Holy Bahamut gets wasted like this.”

“You’ve told enough General. Though I still cannot see your species eye to eye on how you treated my Master a millennia ago. Your soul rings me true, and you smell of someone whom I can trust. Continue to serve me and I shall reward you handsomely. Tell me, have you read my Scripture?”

“In every waking moment I have.”

“And which part of it do you most admire?”

“And thus, the end came once again to the lands of Threa. Appearing from the cracks of the land was Twelve Horsemen. Representing the Sins of all the Living Species and behind them. The Legions of Hell. Hear my roar, hear my roar says the Goddess as she blew the Demons back to the gates and her blackened wings took on the Devils Generals and his Minions. Braving the tides till the hand of the ancient Primeval God, his massive Primordial Arm grabbed the Goddess and pulled her into Hell.

Facing against Trillions of Demons, the Goddess didn’t waver and her fire burned hotter than the flames of the Underworld and soon, with her power of the Void. Bought the cold lifeless Abyss to the realm of the Primordial God of Darkness and vanquished him long before the Heroes could.”

“Hmph. I guess that is one of the more… popular stories about me?”

“It is Goddess and I cannot help but smile greatly as I recalled this passage from your scripture. Though simplified as I cannot smuggle the larger ones. It still carries the battle you fought, against the hordes of Hell and how your fire, the soul of the wielder, was stronger than the flames of Hell.”

“Master, Alana, and Elizabeth were there too. He was the one that opened a portal for me to return back to this realm without having to destroy the concept of the Underworld itself which would’ve taken me hundreds of thousands of years. But, since you have proven yourself to me. I shall appoint you a blessing.”

“Ah, yes. The Legendary Group. I actually kept a copy of your Adventure Cards secretly. We found it being smuggled by pirates from Dragovh. The Kingdom of James and the Holy See seemingly was too jealous to have it returned to them.”

“Eh? Oy, you better keep that to yourself.”

“I cannot believe the Scripture was true. It was the Great General Jackson that wrote for you.”

Bahamut facepalms. “I… I was not in Human form at that time. I actually didn’t even have the bones to materialize this body. Ugh, just keep it to yourself.”

“Ahahahah, of course Goddess.”

“When will they arrive?”

“Tomorrow. It will be a composition of Five Flying Battleships, one being my personal armored airship. Zeppelin Number Six, also known as Sword of Forrus.”

“Good and do they know who they’ll be fighting?”

“Lady Minuit’s message was clear. If I can, I shall personally be commanding my ship. I’ll pull some strings with my old friends and see if I can provide personal support on the ground. That Fortress City after all is the main trading hub of the central regions of Geraldia. If it were to fall into war, we High Elves would also be in trouble economically.”

“Come closer.”

The General stands up and takes a step forward and Bahamut lightly places her hand on his well combed gray hair. “You too little one, let me show you how to give blessings. One day, you will become powerful enough to do this. So let me demonstrate.'' The little girl then sits on top of her left shoulder, one hand holding her horn as she reaches into his head. Her little hand is dwarfed by the long feminine fingers of Bahamut.

“Ilh Year’ouhcu. You’ve proven your soul to me, have the blessing of Bahamut. Be not afraid of death, for I will personally see your soul to Paradise." The General couldn’t believe what he was wearing and slowly looked up as he glowed a golden light for a second. “You’ve been alive for far too long I see.”

“Too long Goddess… though we Elves only live for a thousand and a half years. I am already nearing my two thousandth birthday.”

“Do you celebrate it yearly? The humans of Dragovh only celebrates their birthdays in every five years.”

“Hm. Goddess Forrus is also the God of Life, she is the leaves, the trees, and the air we breathe. Every waking moment, we must treasure life. As long as we live, we are upholding her in us and protecting the balance of life and death.”

“Then my teaching goes into the opposite. For I am a Dragon and my religion reflects the Dragons way of life. To live and die with a strong heart. To fight and grow strong and bring death and chaos as we claw our way to Godhood.”

“But that is also not wrong, for it is in Nature to fight. Violence is a Primordial God for a reason. It is one of the core tenants of all that is alive. Dragons are merely the perfect representation of all the Core tenants in the physical world. I do hold any qualm to your way of life. In fact, I adore it. To fight honorably with such a strict rule for winning and losing. I cannot be more in support of such a way in life.”

“Hm. I see. Then, I look forward to seeing your Airship in Cróga.”

“The Kingdom of Gareth is on the brink of changing its Monarchy. It will be no problem to weasel our way in their territory for a day or two and oh, and is she your daughter by any chance? Though I know you mingled with the human General, it's a known fact. I do not think the both of you ever managed to conceive a child, correct?”

“Indeed. It is quite a struggle for a human to mate with a Dragon. Though our bodies may be the same, the soul is far too apart. But I still hope to one day birth a Demigod of his and my seed.”

Bahamut then cradles the little girl and she makes one last gesture of approval. “For now, I shall train this little one to become a worthy Dragon and maybe after, she may help everyone as I did.” A nod with a faint smile as she spread her wings in full and took off. Disappearing into the clouds high above the city. “The God that lives amongst us… amazing.”