Humanity Undivided [DxD Great War OC-Insert / CYOA]

Chapter 11

Viktor Inox

After finishing the last bit of paperwork, I finally step out of the Throne World, eager to escape the monotony of administrative duties. The moment I materialize, the familiar heat of northern Africa greets me. Specifically, I've chosen what is modern-day Libya for my destination.

Why here, you ask? Well, partly for the irony and partly because it's a nod to a reference I find amusing. Ddraig, the heavenly dragon of domination, deserves a suitably dramatic setting, after all.

I scan the surroundings, my senses extending across the vast desert. The golden sands stretch endlessly, unbroken except for the occasional jagged rock formations. There are a few camels nearby, but the nearest human life signs are faint—hundreds of kilometers away. Perfect. No accidental casualties or interruptions.

Raising my hand, I create a large barrier around the area. It isn't meant to stop anyone, not really. Its primary purpose is to contain whatever chaos might erupt when I find Ddraig. Considering the odds of a fight breaking out, "containment" is a precaution I can't overlook.

Once the barrier finishes forming, I immediately begin the ritual to summon Ddraig. I don't have the time or patience for an epic quest to track him down, so I'm using a modified version of the dragons' Dragon Gate, a magic unique to their kind that lets them summon each other.

I work quickly, constructing the magic circle and programming it to locate Ddraig. Moments like these remind me why picking Occultism was such a good idea.

The circle activates with a low hum, expanding outward as energy pours into it. The flat plane of the circle warps, becoming a jagged hole in space. A shadow looms, growing larger by the second, until a massive figure bursts through.

A dragon, towering over fifty meters tall, flies out with a wingspan stretching over 300 meters. His crimson scales gleam like polished metal, and his very presence feels like a weight pressing down on the air. His roar shakes the ground as his green eyes scan the area.

"WHO DARES TO SUMMON ME?" His voice booms like thunder. "WHO WANTS TO FIGHT THE HEAVENLY DRAGON OF DOMINATION?!"

I let my suppressed power flow freely, quickly drawing the dragon's attention. His green eyes lock onto me as he leans forward, nostrils flaring.

"You?" he rumbles, his voice deep and commanding. "You're not a dragon. How did you summon me?"

I shrug casually. "I'm pretty handy with magic. I just copied the Dragon Gate your kind uses."

The massive dragon tilts his head, studying me intently before giving a slow nod. "I see. That explains why I didn't recognize your scent." He pauses, then grins, his razor-sharp teeth gleaming. "Regardless, you're incredibly strong for a human. This battle will make for a great warm-up before I face the White One again!"

As he begins to gather power, I raise a hand, calling out, "Wait! Why are you so eager to fight? Can't we talk first?"

He halts, frowning slightly. "Talk? About what?"

Clearing my throat, I reply, "Well, I'm here on Tiamat's behalf. She sent me to collect her treasures."

The shift in his demeanor is immediate. His massive body freezes, and his head darts around nervously, scanning the surroundings. "I-Is she here…?"

I blink. "Uh… no?"

He exhales sharply, his tension easing as his regal posture returns. "Good. For a moment, I thought—" He cuts himself off, straightening as if nothing had happened. 'Yeah, your image is already shattered, buddy,' I think, suppressing a smirk.

"Well, human," he continues, his booming voice regaining its commanding tone, "do you know the true purpose of the Dragon Gate?"

I shake my head. "Not really."

"It is a ritual used by dragons to issue challenges," he explains, his grin returning. "By summoning me here, you have challenged me to a battle."

Before I can argue, he barrels on. "It matters not that you're not a dragon—you are strong enough!" His wings spread wide as the ground trembles beneath him. "If you wish to claim Tiamat's treasures, you'll have to defeat me first!"

I shrug, spinning my materialized glaive lazily. Man, I really need to craft a proper weapon. This conjured stick is embarrassing, I think, but I keep that to myself. Instead, I smirk up at the towering dragon. "Alright. Just don't hit below the belt, or you're a little bitch."

Ddraig's massive green eyes blink once, twice, as if he can't believe what he just heard. The silence is deafening, broken only by the faint crackle of energy in the air.

Then, he throws his head back and lets out a thunderous laugh that shakes the ground beneath me. "HAHAHA! A little bitch?! You've got guts, human! I like you already!" He lowers his head, his sharp grin stretching wide enough to fit my whole torso inside. "Our battle will be legendary!"

I grin back, ignoring the voice in my head screaming, What the hell are you doing trash-talking a dragon that's bigger than a football stadium? Instead, I plant the glaive in the ground dramatically and say, "Just don't start crying when I win, alright? That would really kill the vibe."

Ddraig snorts, his fiery breath shooting out like a mini-explosion. "Crying? Ha! When I'm done with you, you'll wish Tiamat was here to save you!" He pauses for a moment, looking around nervously. "She's… not, right?"

I smirk, crossing my arms. "Still worried about her?"

"N-No," he huffs, straightening his massive frame. "Enough talk, human! Prepare yourself!" His wings spread wide as his power surges, shaking the air.

As I ready myself, I can't help but think, This guy's got a whole 'mighty dragon' act going on, but he's totally whipped by Tiamat.

The moment Ddraig lunges, I'm already moving. His massive claw slams into the ground where I stood a moment ago, carving deep trenches in the earth. I sidestep smoothly, bringing my glaive up in a calculated arc. His green eyes track the blade as I aim for his neck, but he twists, his tail whipping toward me.

I raise my glaive to block, the impact sending vibrations down my arms but leaving me otherwise steady. "Fast for a big guy," I say, smirking.

"And you're strong for a human," he rumbles, his wings creating a gust as he launches himself into the air.

He breathes fire in a wide arc, the flames roaring toward me, but I teleport just as they hit. Reappearing above him, I hurl a spear of energy drawn from the Dimensional Gap. It slams into his back, leaving a faint mark on his crimson scales. He snarls, twisting midair to face me.

"Not bad," he says, his tone sharper now. "BOOST!"

The surge of power is immediate, and his aura swells, pressing down on the battlefield. I feel it like a weight, but I draw more from the Gap, letting its energy flow through me. The chaotic power sharpens my reflexes and strengthens my strikes, allowing me to match him step for step.

When he dives, I meet him head-on. His claws sweep toward me, but I deflect the blow with my glaive, sidestepping to slash at his wing. The blade bites into the joint, and he roars, twisting away as I press the attack. Each strike is calculated, aimed at his weak points, and I can tell by his narrowed eyes that he's starting to take me seriously.

"BOOST!" he calls again, his speed and strength increasing further. His claw comes down, and I leap to the side, countering with a wide slash that catches his foreleg. Blood drips onto the ground, and he snarls, his tail lashing out. I duck under it, teleporting behind him to strike at his back.

He whirls, flames erupting from his maw, but I've already blinked to his flank. My glaive hums with energy as I swing it in a precise arc, the blade leaving a glowing trail as it clashes against his scales. He recoils slightly, his eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and excitement.

"You're good," he growls, grinning despite the wounds. "But I'm just getting started!"

He surges forward with blinding speed, his claws sweeping toward me in a flurry of strikes. I parry and dodge with ease, my movements fluid and deliberate. Each clash sends shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, but I hold my ground, matching his strength with my own.

I teleport above him, hurling another spear of energy that explodes against his shoulder, forcing him to falter midair. He recovers quickly, his wings beating hard as he turns to face me. "You fight like a dragon," he admits, his grin widening. "But can you keep up?"

I smirk, drawing even more power from the Gap. The energy floods my body, crackling around me in golden arcs. "You tell me."

We charge at each other again, the ground trembling beneath the force of our blows. My glaive meets his claws, the clash sending sparks flying. I duck under his tail, teleporting to his side to deliver a precise strike to his ribs. He counters with a swipe of his wings, but I teleport again, staying just out of reach.

The fight escalates, neither of us gaining the upper hand. Every attack is met with an equal counter, every strike answered with precision. His power builds with each BOOST, but my connection to the Gap keeps me on par, the chaotic energy fueling my relentless offense.

As we lock eyes again, his green gaze blazing with determination, I can't help but grin. "Still think this is going to be easy?"

His laughter rumbles like thunder. "You're full of surprises, human. This battle is only getting started!"

As we ready ourselves to clash again, the barrier shielding the battlefield shatters with a deafening crack. Both Ddraig and I freeze mid-stance, turning toward the disturbance. A powerful presence floods the area—radiating energy seeped in faith, carrying the unmistakable essence of the sun.

Before either of us can react, a commanding voice cuts through the tension.

"SET! WHAT ARE YO—"

Standing amidst the shattered barrier is a man with the head of a hawk, adorned with a golden disk atop his head, a serpent coiled around its base like a crown. His posture is tense, his glowing eyes scanning the battlefield. The silence stretches as Ddraig and I simply stare, both taking in the sheer audacity of this interruption.

Somewhere in the stillness, I hear a faint, almost sheepish murmur escape the hawk-headed figure: "...shit."

I glance at Ddraig, who hasn't moved from his stance, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "Hey, big guy," I say, keeping my gaze locked on the intruder. "Quick question—what usually happens when someone interrupts two dragons fighting?"

The god stiffens as I sense the telltale build-up of a teleportation spell. I crush it without hesitation, weaving a bit of faith energy into my magic to counter his own. His composure cracks further as the spell dissipates.

Ddraig rumbles thoughtfully, finally lowering his claws. "Typically? The fighting dragons call a ceasefire and beat the living shit out of the intruder."

I nod, as though he's just shared ancient wisdom. "Good to know, good to know. Ddraig," I say, my grin spreading into something far wilder, "I'm about to show you something I call 'jumping.'"

The god's hawk-like eyes widen as realization sets in. Without a word, he pivots, clearly intending to flee. He doesn't get the chance.

Ddraig's massive tail swings with brutal precision, slamming into the god and sending him hurtling toward me like a flaming meteor. The force of the impact tears through the air with a resounding boom.

"Better fight back!" I call, lowering my stance and readying my glaive as the unfortunate god hurtles toward me. My grin doesn't falter for a second.

What feels like next few minutes are essentially me and Ddraig playing catch with the ragdolling body of who I have found out is Ra by his constant rambling.

"You can't do this to me! I am Ra! I am the head of the egyptian panth- Ugh!" he shuts up as I kick him toward Ddraig again, who is already swinging his tail for him.

The hit is about to connect before the god screams out in a rage, "Enough!" his form is wreathed in a corona of flame as he pushes ddraig back, "I will stand for this humiliation no longer!"

Ddraig roars in joy, "Haha! Finally! I have not fought a god for decades!"

Ra roars in rage as he flings what can only be described as concentrated plasma at ddraig who dodges. The attack falls on the ground, glassing all the sand in a kolometer radius.

'Time to stop playing then, well, it was fun while it lasted' Drawing from the Gap, I rush toward the god swinging my glaive at him.

The construct pierces through his radiating energy, cutting past the golden glow that acts as armor, and leaves a deep gash across his chest. The god screams in pain, staggering back as his hands clutch at the bleeding wound.

"W-why is it not healing!?" he gasps, panic lacing his voice.

I don't bother answering. Before he can recover, Ddraig—pulling off what has to be a divine feat of stealth for a 50-meter-tall dragon—appears behind him. With a casual swipe of his massive claws, the god is sent crashing to the ground.

Ddraig snorts in disdain, power gathering in his maw. The air grows heavy with heat and energy as green flames begin to swirl. With a roar that shakes the earth, he unleashes a torrent of fire, engulfing the flailing, screaming god.

When the flames die down, the once-proud figure of the god is reduced to a charred form, his body now a fragile layer of blackened charcoal. He coughs up ichor, his trembling voice weak and pitiful.

"P-please… d-don't… I-I'll give y-you a-anything…"

Ddraig snorts, raising one massive claw to finish the job, but I step forward and hold up a hand. "Wait a minute. I want to know why this idiot decided to interrupt us."

Ignoring his feeble protests, I grab the god by the head and tear through his mind defenses as if they're paper. His memories unfold before me, millennia of irrelevant content that I ruthlessly bypass, focusing only on the events of today.

What I find leaves me blinking in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."

I release his head with a growl, my irritation bubbling to the surface. "What did you find?" Ddraig asks, watching me closely.

Without a word, I transmit the memories to him. His green eyes blink, narrowing as he processes the unexpected influx of information. After a moment, he snorts, clearly unimpressed.

"Hmph. Puny gods and their little games. Always scheming, always too cowardly to take on God Himself." He shifts his massive gaze back to me. "What's got you so pissed, though? We were having fun just moments ago."

I take a deep breath, bottling my irritation for now. "Before we get into that," I say, "can I ask you something?"

Ddraig tilts his head, curious. "Go ahead."

"What are your thoughts on humans?"

He blinks at the unexpected question, his massive head lowering slightly as he thinks. "Humans? Don't have much of an opinion. I rarely see any of them." His eyes narrow on me, gleaming with amusement. "You're the first one I've seen in almost a hundred years, and whatever you lot are eating now, it's working. If you're any example, I should come to Earth more often!"

I blink at that, surprised but pleased. "Good to know," I reply with a chuckle. "But what about fighting humans? Torching towns? Maybe stealing some sheep?"

He scoffs, puffing out a small plume of smoke. "Sheep? Please. Have you seen how big I am? One wouldn't even make for a snack." He shakes his head. "I've fought humans before, but only the ones who challenged me. It'd be beneath the dragon of domination to go after the powerless."

He hums thoughtfully, then continues. "Though I do remember a human woman from my younger days. A natural-born dragon tamer. She was… pleasant. I gave her some of my blood, and she ended up founding a kingdom. Then, of course, that damn white prick had to copy me and give his blood to some other human." He scoffs, shaking his head again. "Whatever. Why the questions?"

I smile, relief washing over me. I admit, I'd be reluctant to fight Ddraig to the death. Despite only knowing him for a short time, this has been the most fun I've had since arriving in this world.

"Nothing to worry about," I say with a chuckle, but my mood sours immediately as I turn my gaze back to the charred god. "The harebrained plan these pricks are cooking up will lead to a lot of human suffering. And I will not allow that."

I approach the whimpering god, a gleeful grin spreading across my face. Without looking back, I call out to Ddraig, "Wanna see me do something that'll make the gods piss themselves?"

The massive dragon chuckles, his laughter rumbling through the ground as he settles into a comfortable position. "Sure," he says, his green eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Let's see what you've got."

Ra's trembling voice cuts in, desperate and pitiful. "P-please, d-don't! I-I'll give you treasure! Artifacts beyond your imagina—ARGHH!" His plea turns into a scream as I finally latch onto his essence.

You see, during my magical research, I discovered something fascinating: beings are made of layers. Like onions.

The first layer is their physical body—the flesh and blood that lets them interact with the world. It's the tangible part of them, the part that walks, fights, and bleeds.

The second layer is the life force. It's the battery that powers the body, the energy that makes flesh and blood function. This is the layer tied to techniques like Touki and Senjutsu, the manipulation of life force.

The third layer is the soul—the seat of their being. A soul is like an engram, a record of their existence. While the mind and brain house memories, the soul is where concepts like fate, luck, and reincarnation are tied. It's also the source of energies like magic power, demonic power, and, for humans, even faith energy.

But the fourth and deepest layer? That's the essence.

The best way I can describe it is by borrowing a concept from the Fate franchise: essence is their "origin." It defines what they are at the most fundamental level, encompassing every other layer. It's what guides a being through their entire existence.

For example, someone with a natural affinity for music might take up the guitar in one life. Even if they die and their soul is reincarnated, erasing all memories of their former self, their essence remains. That pull toward music? That talent for the guitar? It's their essence, persisting beyond death.

It's a concept that's left me grappling with the Ship of Theseus paradox for days. If every layer of a being changes except their essence, are they still the same person? What does that mean for sentience, for identity, for the self?

Regardless, back to the present. Reaching into Ra's essence, I feel his entire being resting in the proverbial palm of my hand.

His essence radiates like a miniature sun, blazing with defiance as it struggles against me. The effort is almost admirable—almost. I crush that resistance with ease, tearing his essence away from the rest of him. His screams echo across the battlefield, raw and guttural, as his body writhes in agony. The paradox of his missing essence creates a violent feedback loop, leaving him broken.

Hovering above my hand, contained within intricate magic circles, is the essence of Ra, the Egyptian god of the sun. Now separated from its host, it feels more like an artifact than a living part of a god—a curious state, both physical and spiritual, existing in a Schrödinger-like state much like Sacred Gears.

I store the essence in a specially crafted pocket space for later use. Turning to what remains of Ra—or rather, what used to be Ra—I shift my focus. Without his essence, he is hollow, incomplete. Grabbing his soul, I shatter its sentience like breaking glass.

The weight of a god's soul is immense, almost unfathomable. Compared to human souls, Ra's is the equivalent of nearly a million. Its value as a material for rituals or crafting is immeasurable—a gift of raw potential, reduced to a tool in my hands.

Only the body and life force remain now. I channel his colossal life force into the ground beneath us, directing its flow into the desert sands. The earth trembles violently as the energy takes root, reshaping the barren land.

Within minutes, the once featureless expanse of the Sahara is transformed. Rolling hills of lush green grass replace the harsh dunes, creating a vibrant, fertile landscape. I chuckle at the irony: the god who represented the sun, whose presence contributed to this land's desolation, now fuels its restoration.

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I glance at Ra's lifeless body. I can't think of anything to do with it at the moment, so I simply shrug and store it in a pocket dimension for later.

Turning to Ddraig, who is watching me with an expression of bemused curiosity, I smirk. "Well? What do you think?"

He blinks, his green eyes locking onto me. "I think you're a madman. A terrifying madman…" His gaze shifts to the newly transformed landscape, and he lets out a deep chuckle. "If your goal was to scare those little shits, you've definitely succeeded. I doubt Ra will reform after… whatever the hell you just did to him."

He stretches, his massive form towering over the vibrant field. "Unfortunately, I have to leave. The White One is summoning me for another fight." As if on cue, a Dragon Gate appears in the sky above us, its swirling energy unmistakable. "What is your name, human? I'll find you so we can finish our battle. I won't fight you while you're exhausted."

I chuckle, crossing my arms. "It's Revelation. But for you… you can call me Viktor."

Ddraig flaps his massive wings, the force sending ripples through the grass around us. "Very well, Viktor. Until we meet again!" With that, he launches into the air, disappearing through the gate as it closes behind him.

The silence of the restored land is broken as I slap a hand to my face. "Fuuuuuuuck… I forgot to grab the treasure."

Odin

My one eye widens as I witness Ra become… undone.

Many who might see this scene would not understand the sheer horror of what is taking place. But I do.

When I gave up an eye for knowledge, I gained far more than just cryptic proverbs and riddles. I glimpsed the hidden workings of the universe, the threads that bind reality together. Few, if any, can claim greater understanding of the cosmos than I—save perhaps Yahweh, who holds dominion over creation itself.

What unfolds in the image projected by my raven is both horrifying and mesmerizing. I cannot look away.

Ra's essence—something I thought untouchable, the very foundation of his being—is being torn from him with the ease of plucking a splinter. My breath catches as I watch, transfixed. The act defies every rule I thought absolute, shattering the natural laws I have spent millennia studying.

When his soul follows, fragmented and reduced to raw energy, the reality of what I am seeing hits me fully. Ra is not merely dead; he is unmade. He no longer exists as the god he was. The moment his essence was stripped from him, his very identity unraveled.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

I watch as the life energy remaining in Ra's body—a resource so immense it could rival the reserves of a pantheon—is masterfully manipulated to transform the desolate desert sands into lush, rolling fields of green. The sheer magnitude of power is staggering, yet the one wielding it does so with disturbing precision, as if it were an everyday task.

I swallow hard, my throat dry.

The life force of a god is colossal by nature. Divine beings are not merely undying in the metaphorical sense; their very existence is tied to their domains, and that connection amplifies their energy exponentially. Even killing a god typically only delays them. They reform over time—decades, perhaps centuries—depending on the extent of damage to their soul. True death for a god is almost unheard of.

The last time such a thing happened was when she appeared, the one with the spear that could pierce any heart. It was over a millennium ago, and the memory still lingers like a scar in my mind. Last I heard, she had been slumming it in the Shadowlands, content to leave the rest of us in uneasy peace.

But this? What I am witnessing now is far more terrifying. This is no weapon forged for destruction, no divine artifact wielded in rage. This is methodical, deliberate. Ra's essence, soul, and life energy have been reduced to components—resources to be harvested and used.

And the one responsible shows no hesitation, no reverence for the god he has undone. To him, Ra is not a deity but raw material. A means to an end.

The implications are as staggering as the act itself. Gods, by their very nature, are thought to be beyond the reach of such things. Even death is a temporary inconvenience for beings like us. But this… this is annihilation. It is proof that the very essence of what we are is not untouchable, not inviolable.

The raven's projection flickers slightly as I lean forward, my gaze locked onto the scene. Fear churns in my gut, but it is not alone. Curiosity, unbidden and impossible to ignore, rises to meet it.

Who is this man, this human who wields such power? What secrets does he know, what techniques has he mastered, to make the undoing of a god seem so… effortless?

And, more disturbingly, how many more of us could he unmake if he wished? I cannot help but think.

As the man disappears into a golden vortex of energy, I make up my mind. Reaching out with a thread of thought, I contact Loki.

"Return to Asgard," I say, my tone firm. "Your little prank on Ra has caused… a Revelation."

Her voice comes through instantly, sharp and exasperated. "YA THINK, OLD MAN?! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" I swear, it feels like she's yelling directly into my ear. I may be half-blind, but I'm not deaf. "We all felt Ra disappear! And now these shmucks are looking at me like it's my fault!"

I rub my forehead, fighting off the headache her words bring. Loki's knack for being a thorn in everyone's side is as valuable as it is exhausting. Her ability to play the undesirable among the other factions keeps us informed, but she always manages to cause a mess with her assignments.

"Just ignore them," I reply, my tone sharp. "Come back to Asgard. I'm initiating war protocols."

The line goes quiet at that, though I can feel her hesitation. Before she can ask, I continue.

"All those aligned with our faction are to retreat to their respective realms. Midgard is now a forbidden zone until further notice."

I hear her gulp, her usual bravado slipping for a moment. "...What did you see?"

I remain silent for a long beat, my thoughts weighing heavy. "I saw either death or prosperity," I finally say. "Which one lies behind the golden curtain will only be revealed in time."

"Ugh, you and your cryptic messages—" Hey, I gave up an eye for this insight. I'm damn well going to use it! "Fine. I'll return immediately," she sighs. "But you know this is going to make the suspicion on me skyrocket, right?"

"It won't truly matter; they'll have far bigger problems soon," I say, ending the call with one final instruction. "Come back immediately."

As the connection severs, I sit in silence, mulling over the events. After a few minutes of thought, I make my decision and reach out with another thread of thought—this time to my firstborn, Hela.

"Father?" she answers almost immediately, her tone sharp. "I hope this is about my home being sealed."

Hela has been… irritable since the Underworld was sealed. While I understand her frustration, I'm relieved she's here and not entangled with Yahweh. That manipulative being would no doubt twist her grievances to his advantage.

"Hela, I have an assignment for you," I say carefully, gauging her reaction.

Suspicion practically radiates through the connection. "...What is it?"

I clear my throat, attempting to sound as composed as possible. "It's, uh… a diplomatic mission." Before she can reject it outright, I press on. "You are my firstborn and heir. This requires a more… delicate touch."

She remains silent, though I can feel her reluctance through the bond. Taking her lack of objection as permission to continue, I explain, "I need you to contact the one called The Revelation. He's made a move that will soon send even greater ripples through our already unstable pond."

"Enough riddles, old man!" she snaps. "Just tell me what happened."

"He erased the chief god of the Egyptians," I say flatly. I had planned to be cryptic, but nobody seems to appreciate it!

"Killed a god-king?" she replies, her tone skeptical. "I suppose I can see the importa—"

I cut her off. "He didn't just kill a god-king, Hela. He erased one."

The connection goes quiet for a moment. Then, softly, she speaks. "Oh… yeah. That's a bit more significant."

I snort, leaning back in my chair. At least she understands the gravity of the situation now.

"Anyways, I need you to-"

Runes Gremory

A few minutes earlier…

I just wanted to buy some camels! That's all! Simple, straightforward camels!

Instead, here I am, crouched behind a chunk of sandstone barely big enough to hide my petite form and Bubbles—my very agitated familiar—as I stare at the literal Heavenly Dragon of Domination. Ddraig. The Ddraig.

"Why me?!" I scream internally, feeling tears prickle at the corners of my eyes.

My poor new camels are losing their minds, their panicked bleating practically drowning out the earth-shaking booms of the battle raging nearby. I have to push out waves of demonic energy just to calm them down. Meanwhile, the ground keeps quaking, the air is buzzing with energy, and I'm just here, desperately clinging to my rock and questioning every life choice that led me to this moment.

And the worst part? I can't even leave!

The golden scary guy—yeah, that one—set up a barrier after he showed up. I know better than to mess with it. The thing bounces anyone back inside like a toy ball, and I really don't want to find out what happens to someone foolish enough to actually break it. I'd almost feel bad for whoever tries, but mostly? I'd pity them.

Case in point: divine providence decides to drop someone else into this nightmare.

A few minutes later, the barrier shatters, and a literal god shows up.

"SET! WHAT ARE YO—" the glowing bird-headed guy yells before freezing in place. Ddraig and the scary golden guy both turn their attention to him.

I cringe. Tough luck, buddy. Even though it stings like hell, I offer him a small prayer. Honestly, he's going to need it.

But while they're all busy staring each other down, I see my chance. Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab my camels, teleport us straight back to Germany, and collapse in a heap of relief on the grounds of the manor.

Moments later, I shove the camels toward the stables and teleport into Chysis' room, practically tackling her in a desperate glomp.

"Waaa~! Chysis!" I wail, clinging to her like my life depends on it. "The big scary golden guy and the big scary red dragon—" My words dissolve into sniffles and hiccups as tears finally start flowing.

Chysis freezes for a moment, completely bewildered, but then she hugs me back, patting my head gently. "There, there… uh, what happened?"

"I'm never going back there!" I sob into her shoulder. "Next time, I'll just order the camels shipped here!"

The rest of the day passes with me curled up in Chysis' lap like a human pillow, explaining my misfortunes in between bouts of crying and snacking on cookies she brought over. She looks confused the entire time but doesn't complain. Honestly, that's why I love her so much.