Short Notice: I'll be adding pictures on some characters or weapons. I got the idea from Chap. 96. This is also to give more info for those who didn't watch the anime but managed to stumble upon this story *why haven't I thought about this before?* This is a long chap. Enjoy reading 😊
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When Erin entered the train, the twins are already settled on their seats. The 2 reserved a seat in front of them which is intended for the Goddess
" Erin!" The Goddess looked in front of her and saw Issei waving. The boy motioned for the Goddess to approach him.
" Hi Issei."
"Are you excited for our trip?" asked Issei once Erin sat next to him
" More or less." shrugged Erin. "To be honest, I'm more concerned about our training though."
" Yeah. I know." Issei sighed as he remembered their encounter with Sairaorg. " I can't believe we'll be facing someone like that in the Rating Games."
" You're right. And to think that he requested an all out fist fight with me at the end."
" Don't worry, Erin. I'm sure you can activate a transformation which will knock him to the ground like before." Issei said with determination
"I hope so. Speaking of transformations, do you remember what Azazel told us before?"
" The part about Juggernaut Drive?"
" Hai. He told us that our Sacred Gear holds the feelings of all the previous hosts. Their negative feelings are very strong so you can pretty much call it a curse."
" I see...." Issei looked at his arm as he pondered on the thought
" If we can purge those negative feelings, Azazel said that we will be able to trigger something safer and as powerful as the Juggernaut Drive." Erin mused. " In order to do that, we must inject our consciousness into our Sacred Gear."
"But how are we going to inject our consciousness in the first place?" Issei asked who was terribly confused
"Hm. We can start by connecting via dreams." Erin faced Issei. "I tried it by accident and I was able to meet one of the past hosts of my gear."
" Really?" Issei was wide eyed. "Then if I sleep then maybe I can reach out to the past users?"
" You can try that. Or you can also meditate and go into deep concentration."
" All right! I'm going to try it now." Issei said as he stretched his arms. " I'm taking a nap while we are on our way. Thanks Erin."
Erin excused herself as she went to the mini bathroom. She stared at her reflection on the mirror and closed her eyes as she tried to concentrate.
" I have to take my chances so I can meet up with the other users in the consciousness sphere."
Xenovia walked past her and glanced at her curiously. Seeing the Goddess' unmoving state, she sneakily approached her side and whispered to her ear.
" I am completely unarmed."
The Goddess flinched and covered her ear. She looked to her side and saw a smiling Xenovia
"Why did you suddenly whisper in my ear? You scared me."
"I'm sorry. You just looked liked you were in deep thought. I wanted to make sure you heard me."
The 2 went back to the Goddess' seat where Xenovia sat next to her
"I remember. I learned from the Maous that you handed over Durandal to the alchemists of the church. Is that what you mean when you said that you are unarmed?"
Xenovia nodded and smiled sadly.
" It's my own fault that I can't restrain my aura. But....."
" Got it." Erin announced which made the girl look at her. " If something happens or you just wanted to use a sword, I'll lend you Ascalon."
"Thanks, that'll help me out a lot." replied Xenovia who broke out of her gloomy mood. She went back to her seat next to Irina and Asia.
" Hey, can I sit next to you?" The Goddess looked up and saw Kiba approaching her with a smile. The female students gushed over his entrance
" Sure."
" Just in case something happens, I wanted to ask you about your plans when we reach our destination."
"Plans?" Erin placed a finger on her chin. " To be honest, I haven't really thought about that. I left the task to Azusa who is in charge of our travel spots." the Goddess smiled sheepishly as she pointed to the twins behind them
" But I guess that we'll be joining Asia and Issei's group at one point. Asia's group will start at Kiyomizu temple."
" Soka. Our group will be in Tenryuji on the 2nd day. If we plan it right, we might be able to meet at Togetsukyo Bridge." Kiba said as he showed their travel guide.
"That would be great."
" Come to think of it, before you fought with Sairaorg, I heard you had to deal with the 4 Devil kings? Buchou informed us about it."
" Oh that." Erin sighed at the memory. " Yeah. That was a really fierce event. It completely changed my image of the Underworld."
" What exactly happened?" Kiba asked with interest
"The 4 Devil kings, dressed as hero rangers, gave me trials and challenges." Erin deadpanned. "Seriously, they look like comical characters with how they were behaving."
Kiba chuckled at this and the Goddess continued explaining
" Well, I managed to pass them all. After that, Ajuka sort of gave me a key which he said that will open to various doors." Erin's brows furrowed as she remembered the Maou's words
"This is just an opportunity. Right now, you are finally in front of many doors with a key in your hand."
" Ajuka also gave me an advice. He said that in order to maximize the power of being the Blue Dragon Empress, I need to master the armor boost of being a Rook, Queen, or Bishop."
" Armor boost?"
" Yes. I used the features of the Rook to strengthen my armor's defense when I fought Sairaorg. But even so, he managed to break through the defenses." Erin explained
"With the strength of my armor right now, I won't be able to beat Sairaorg on a fight which relies purely on strength. I need to upgrade so I can be on par with him on a fist fight."
" Yes. You're right." Kiba mused "Right now, we are physically weak compared to him."
" Hmm. That's why I'll find some time to train during our trip too."
" As expected of you." Kiba said with a smile as he stood up. " Contact me when you are buying your souvenirs. I don't want to accidentally buy the same things."
" You got it." Erin replied before Kiba returned to his seat. She took steady breaths as she focused to her task on hand.
" Now, to visit the consciousness sphere again. I still have some time."
She closed her eyes and was teleported to the said place. She looked around her and noticed the slight difference. Instead of the blank space where she met Lelouch, the Goddess walked along a hallway and at the end, she saw 7 people sitting on throne-like chairs.
" Masaka... could they be the other hosts?"
The Goddess scanned their appearance and she also noticed their blank expressions.
There were 4 boys and 3 girls. The Goddess approached the boy who had shaggy blonde hair. He was wearing a fedora hat and a furry coat which wrapped around his shoulders. He was looking down and stared at the ground with unmoving eyes.
" Hmm. He's around the same age as us. Or perhaps younger.." Erin crouched down to gaze at his appearance further
" Among all the Blue Dragon Emperors and Empress, he was born with the greatest accession capability." Voltaire's voice echoed in the place which made the Goddess stand up.
" Voltaire?" Erin looked around her but found no trace of the dragon.
"That boy is named Alphonsus. He awakened his Juggernaut Drive at an early stage but he drowned in his own power and destroyed himself."
" Even so, he had something important to him, right?" Erin said in a neutral tone. She placed a fist on her chest and started chanting some lines.
"I, who is about to awaken.. Is the mighty Dragon of Speed and Thunder..."
"My child, you should be careful."
" I know." sighed Erin. " I'm not going to say it to the end. It's just.. I don't understand much about this chant."
" What does despising a mere tragedy mean? And thirsting for victory? I thought you aren't a battle freak." Erin said in an accusing tone.
" Moreover, representing the Infinite, Dreams, and Posibilities? So does that align with my goal of helping others achieve their purpose?"
"Ophis is that who is truly Infinite. And Great Red is the Illusion and Dream."
The Goddess turned around and saw a beautiful blonde-haired woman clad in purple outfit.
" You despise a mere tragedy because you don't settle for less. That also connects to you thirsting for victory, since you are aligned towards achieving your goals. Also, your representation of the Infinite, or Dreams is just one of the crossroads which you might encounter. That's why, you also represent many Possibilities."
" Elsha."
" Hi, Voltaire." The woman cheerfully said as she held a hand up.
" My child, her name is Elsha. Among all the possessors so far, she is the strongest woman."
" Oh?" Erin uttered curiously. Elsha stepped forward making the Goddess step back. The former bent down and her chests were on full display for the Goddess.
" Hey! Don't get too close to me." Erin said who was still cautious of the woman. She cleared her throat and looked above.
" How is she the strongest woman?"
" Elsha defeated 2 White and Red Dragon Emperors during her time."
" What?" Erin was surprised and Elsha chuckled at her reaction
" Why do you look so surprised? Two of us were exceptional anyway and I'm one of them."
"So who's the other one?" Erin mumbled. "Is it Lelouch?"
" Bingo." Elsha replied with a smile and Voltaire explained.
"Lelouch is among the smartest out of all the hosts. He was also the user who closely resembled and lived up to the title of being the Dragon of Prophecy. That is, by changing reality and creating his own prophecy."
" I see..."
" Well, I normally hide myself away and never make an appearance." Elsha shrugged
" Like Lelouch, I thought you two would never show yourselves again." Voltaire remarked.
" Oh, don't say that, Voltaire."
" Where is Lelouch, anyway?" Erin asked.
" I'm hurt, Erin. I'm the one who is here in front of you yet you're looking for Lelouch." Elsha cutely said and the Goddess felt shivers run her body
" How did you know who I am? And what- Don't just hug me!"
Elsha ignored her protests and snuggled to her chest which made the Goddess gape.
" Of course we know who you are. We were able to observe your journey, thanks to this." Elsha held Erin's hand which contains the ring.
" This acted like a vessel and we were able to reach you because of this."
Elsha broke away from the hug but still held the Goddess close. With her free hand, she summoned a small box.
" Lelouch told me to give this to you. Beelzebub gave you a key, right?"
Erin nodded in recognition and her chest flashed a purple light. The key floated in mid-air and the Goddess retrieved it.
" This box contains the potential of the Blue Dragon Empress."
" Potential?"
" Hai. However, it may destroy who you are. Because of that, it is a box that normally should never be opened."
Erin stared at the box and Elsha chuckled as she remembered a thought
"Toppuresu Dragon, The Blue Dragon Empress. Lelouch and I watched it together. It was the first time I had busted out laughing since I came here."
Erin glared and lightly shoved Elsha away.
" If you were indeed watching, then you are aware of what truly happened. Those things are false."
" Haha. Don't be so depressed about it and just enjoy it. If it helps, you are suitable for the title. You look good when you are Shirtless." Elsha winked
" Voltaire, why is she like this?" whined the Goddess which made Elsha laugh
"You are truly amusing. I've never seen such an interesting Blue Dragon Empress before. That's why, I was excited to meet you." Elsha said as she hugged the Goddess again. She held the Goddess' face and maintained an eye contact
" I'm a little jealous of those people who managed to kiss you. Especially that red head who keeps on making a pass on you."
"Where is Lelouch when I need him?!" Erin whined as she averted her gaze. Elsha chuckled at her reaction
" Going back, the eerie spell of the Juggernaut Drive.. we were able to restrain that dark figure who keeps on haunting you. You should avoid falling into a pit of despair. Lelouch and I's last moments were not good ones. So at the very least, we want you to avoid experiencing the same fate."
The Goddess blinked upon hearing this. Elsha's expression was one of concern
" That's why, we made up our mind." Elsha motioned to the box. "Open it. But once you do, you have to shoulder it to the bitter end. You can't half-ass this. No matter what happens, you must accept it and move forward."
" I understand." replied Erin in a firm tone. She inserted the key and the box slowly opened. A bright light erupted from the box making the Goddess squint her eyes.
Amidst the temporary difficulty of sight, Elsha took this as chance to kiss the Goddess who then froze from the contact.
- End of Chapter-