A little earlier, on the surface, Zald had been swinging, his blade slicing through a powerful dragon one after the next. Despite his immense capacity for battle, and ungodly stamina, he was starting to question himself…
Is this even possible? There's so damn many of them? Should we try to get Shurry to end the one eyed one first instead of the original plan? At this rate I don't think Alfia's magic, boosted though it may be, would be enough for the plan.
He mentally shook off the bad thoughts and continued cleaving his sword through the dragons, gritting his teeth knowing just how important it was that nothing too strong got past him.
It was then, at the moment he'd pulled himself out of the slump that a stronger dragon managed to escape him, and then…
"MAXIMUS SLASH!"
A wild slash of utter devastation cleaved right through a dozen escaping dragons, and with an expression that said it all, a well built man effortlessly flipped through the air, his sword effortlessly claiming the life of the dragon that managed to get by Zald. When he landed, his blade didn't stop, he continued, wearing a smirk on his face like someone did when they'd finally managed some catharsis.
"Oh yeah, this feels good. Way better than I'd ever imagined!" He laughed.
"MAXIM!" Zald bellowed, his sword slowed down slightly from the shock.
"Heh, look behind you…"
Zald turned his head just enough to see there was another woman, she stood with Meda, swooning over her. His lips curled into a small smile, he turned back to Maxim, and the two warriors shared a knowing expression.
"You've done well on your own thus far. But now, it's time someone helped you for a change." Maxim chuckled.
"I honestly wasn't expecting you for quite awhile. How's it feel?"
"Hmm?"
"Being a god n' all that."
Maxim let himself wear a small smile as a tear fell. "It feels terrible, I missed my daughter's growth."
"Well, she's grown into a fine young woman."
"I can see that. And her chosen partner isn't too bad either." Maxim chuckled.
Then a smooth, powerful, calm, yet construct of absolute vengeance spoke. "Maxim, I'll be leaving this place to all of you." He said, looking at a girl who couldn't make up what she wanted to do. "I have some important things to take care of."
"HA! Looks like my nephew is about to get a huge helping hand." Zald laughed, his blade quickening with his heart lifted.
"I'm not sure how much I can help him now…" The man placed his hand upon his sword's pommel. "However, I refuse to be so weak I can't free my wife from that damn dragon, I will reunite mother and daughter." He said, taking a moment to give Ais a pat on her head. "Be strong my little girl, mommy will be back soon." He said passing her by once more.
By the time Ais managed to turn around and reach out for her father, he was already long since over the horizon. Her vision blurred as if a thick film of fluid covered her eyes… There were indeed a lot of tears.
…
Albert, the legendary hero from a thousand years ago, was once again walking the earth. Well, more like charging without a care in the world for what his target was. A powerful, moving target.
This time, while I'm moving towards doom, it won't be mine, it'll be that detestable thing. Don't worry Aria, I'm coming, my love.
…
The reaction people had from the sight of Albert, was nothing sort of slack jawed. Here in the age of the gods, the hero before Origin Wolf, was once again roaming the world.
"Oh my… That's Albert." Ganesha said, forgetting his whole bit about over-expression. "He's returned. I am Ganesha."
Elsewhere, Zeus looked on with a proud, knowing expression. "So, you finally did it, congratulations Albert, now, do the final duty not as a hero, but as a man, save your wife."
"Wow, that's romantic of you, Zeus." Hera quipped back with a slight verbal jab.
"Like you I too am a god presiding over marriage."
"Hmph! Not like me, you're the pervy harem kind. I, however, am of two lovers… the powerful bond that binds their destiny." Hera said, turning to the mirror with an approving smile. "He's become a low god in such a short time. It's impressive."
"Yeah, he's really pulled through on that promise of his."
"Promise?"
"The one he made with Hestia."
…
In the Hestia familia, a certain goddess was rather annoyed by the sight, since she'd just lost a handsomely cute guard for her temple, but more than that, she couldn't help but feel like giving Albert a bit of praise.
"To think he managed to get that far, in such a short time. Go, hero Albert, let you blade strike once more, and free your wife."
"Lady Hestia, are you sure you're alright with staying here?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Just curious."
"That dragon is strong, more than enough to handle Albert from the past. However, this time, it's facing the worst opponent for it. Just take a look here." Hestia pointed to a screen.
"They're practically eating each other alive, and healing through it."
"Yes, and this is just the beginning, I think.?"
"Beginning?"
"Yes, Origin Wolf as you call him, while he's been matching the dragon blow for blow, bite for bite, and paw for claw… He's been holding back to ensure the dragon can no longer escape."
"What do you mean, Lady Hestia?"
"The dragons everyone else has been fighting this whole time… Shouldn't be considered separate from the dragon. In a way, each of them are the same, also not."
"You mean… If Origin Wolf…" She said the title with almost sexual reverence. "Were to kill the dragon now, it would revive itself into one of the other dragon bodies?"
"Huh, you mortals always have an easy way of explaining things." Hestia giggled, and nodded. "Origin Wolf is stronger by a bit. But he can't risk killing it now without risking the lives of everyone. He's better off trusting the others to handle the weaker rabble."
"You mean, those people who'd been saying he was a coward for not killing it earlier… weren't just wrong, they were dead wrong."
"Exactly, had he fought the dragons a few years ago. I doubt Albert and the others would have been ready. Worse yet, Alfia and Zald wouldn't be either. He needed to be sure that everyone would be able to handle the fight to come. That also means keeping the One Eyed Black Dragon busy as long as it takes."
…