Later that night.-
.
"I am glad you all came to an understanding." Shun said smiling. "This works out for the best. Ready to continue your training?"
"Nope just gonna rest for now." Azul said leaning against the structure. "You an Sigrud getting togethor yet?"
"Um no. Not getting in the way of you and her." Her words were lightly sorrowful.
"Huh, don't be daft boy. She is all yours. My feelings for her are an appreciation of her character. I am mean, I have a lust for her but that is because of me being a horndog. I would never make a move on her. Knowing what you feel between each other, hell no." Azul denied any claims towards her.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I never had eyes for her in this life that way. That is why the other me always went away for you two to meet with her and not myself."
"Thank you thank you." Shun said holding Azul's side.
"Let me go! I dont need people whispering up about us in that way!" Seeing Shun not listening, Azul lifted him into the air with his magic and set him down on the other side of the courtyard. "Crazy brat."
"Hehe," Shun chuckled embarrassed. "I cant wait to tell her."
"Tell who?" Sanaki said coming into the courtyard with a few knights and Herons. "Brother, how are you doing?"
"Better than most days." Azul said getting all the info he needed from the Herons. Best thing about the Rune's on them. "What are you doing here this fine morning?"
"Just came to talk. As well as deliver some news." Sanaki moved to a chair and sat down. "Word has spread about the return of the Herons. Despite it just being a few hours. The people are happy. A lot of them think I did it. But it is exhausting telling them I did not."
"But you did. Well, I was just your instrument. Your desire to fix that problem allowed more to be reborn. Take solace in that." Azul said smiling softly at her. The attending guards were shocked. The Herons smiled as well. "How goes the dissenters?"
"Exhausting but our soldiers are very good at their job. Some have trouble holding back but from what I was told, those that were killed were the worst of the bunch." Sanaki then rubbed her temple. "My sister has spent her time in the library mostly with Yune. Do you know what they are looking for?"
"Yes."
"Will I like it?"
"Most likely not."
"I see." Sanaki put her head down thinking. Looking much like the child she was. She didnt raise it but asked meekly, "if she endangers the citizens, stop them both. Other than that, leave them be for me."
"Very well." Azul said calmly.
"That's it?" Sanki asked shocked. "No arguing. Your just gonna take what I said and do it?" Azul gave her a nod. "Why?"
"Why not? This is what you want, so yeah. I mean it is not something I would do but I have no problems with not interfering in it." Azul looked to the left and saw a moving cloud. It was dark and wiggling somewhat. A closer look revealed creatures in it. Most likely birds. A lot of them. "Haaa some idiots are coming this way."
"Ah," Sanaki said turning to see. "Haa, we need to go see what they want."
"Should we go in style then?"
"Yes, I will call for the royal guards." Sigrun said quickly. Shun had come over blabbering causing the woman to lose her cool.
"That is fine but Sanaki will ride with me."
"How .. will.. I ..ride .. with you.." Her voice trailed off as Azul was encompassed in magic and transformed into a giant black dragon. He unleashed the full weight and power of his Bahamut form. "Holy.. shit.."
"Empress!" A guard said quickly. Then he gave another look at the massive dragon and shook his head. "Nope, this is a Holy shit moment."
"Whoom, whoom," Azul wings flapped slow and powerfully. To keep it from messing with the courtyard he suspended himself with magic. His hands went down and he picked up Sanaki.
"Call the Royal guard as we move to greet our guests." Azul then turned to fly way. The Herons had all taken their Laguz forms and followed along.
"Bwaah, so high up. Is this why you always took me flying? On a wyvern and not a pegasus?
"Yes. I rather you get used to scales than that weak horse hair." Azul said stifling a chuckle. "More than anything, I wished for you to become stronger besides just in the school of magic. That way those parasite generals wouldn't have a way to bicker."
"Umu, I see." Sanaki became silent. "I wished you were in charge not me."
"Better you actually. I would have bathed the world in blood. And destroy everything of the corpse Goddess. That you have my word on." Azul was moving at astounding speeds. His magic keeping Sanaki and the Herons protected. "You are a fine ruler. Just had to much in your way. To many useless people by your side or people who wanted to take control."
"Hmm if you say so brother. Then I will believe it." Sanaki leaned back against Azul's chest. "Your heart is beating so hard and your chest is so warm. Brother... is it ok for me to love Seraphim?"
"Grr, hmph," with a growl and a snort causing a little fire to leave his mouth Azul said, "fine to do so. But he must decide either us or that corpse goddess."
"Thank you. Why do you call her that?"
"I will tell you in time. Doing so now will put you in danger." Azul arched his head and looks at her. "I will keep you safe so stand tall and firm. The bird brains are nothing compared to me. Heh, they are nothing compared to your magic."
"Right," Sanaki said as she stood up when they stopped. She rubbed a green bracelet on her wrist. Wind Rune magic was inside ready to help boost her power. A birthday gift Azul gave her last. "They better tread carefully. I already have enough problems to deal with."
"Heh, that is the sis I respect."
The Phoenicians, flew to a relatively safe distance and stopped. Tibarn and his eyes and ear Janaff and Ulki turned from their bird form. To the side of them, a few crows did the same. It was Naesla and a woman Azul never seen before. Or remembered seeing. Another crow stood behind as well. It was the old crow Nealuchi. his flying was disrupted as he stared in the air, eyes wide. Two Herons flew in the air before changing. It was Reyson and Leanne. the later having left the Serenes Forest with Azul and her sister Lillia.
Slowly they moved forward. In the distance a few pegasus knights were on the way to join them. They were stressed and unbelievably worried. They slowed down when they saw the clouds above Azul break.
"Fwoosh, Fwoosh!" All that could be heard was the sound of air getting pushed about by heavy wings. Up above Alita in her white dragon form descended. She was accompanied by a dark blue Dragon Jaina, A dark red dragon Mileuda and a black dragon that had scales that resemble Azul's. It was Tietra.
They moved to Azul and the Herons and turned human. Not half shifted, but fully human. They stood on the magical platform Azul created. For the Pegasus riders.
"So Sanaki, still worried?" Azul asked.
"Nope." Sanaki said beaming a smile. "She tapped Azul's hand in the manner he taught her for Wyvern control. Understanding what she wanted, he moved it forward. Addressing the birds she bolstered her voice with magic. "You are here unannounced and uninvited. State your business."
"I am Tibarn. This is the Heron royal family. They wish to know where the Herons you have come from."
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Very well. You may head back now. Leave Begnion airspace and never do this again." Sanaki said strongly.
"You didn't answer where they come from." Tibarn frowned.
"They want to know where the Herons come from? They come from magic. The same as they always came from. You have your answer." Sanaki stated.
"There has to be more!" Tibarn yelled.
"There isn't."
"I dont believe you." Reyson said from behind. he thought the Herons were captured from the forest before the massacre took place.
"I don't care what you believe." Sanaki raised her hands at her royal guard that had arrived. "Archers take aim."
"Tk, tk, tk!" The pegasus knocked arrows ready. The bows were not pulled back yet.
"You would fire upon us?" Tibarn asked. he was shocked at the young Beorc. "Trying to kill us."
"No, just you." Sanaki said coldly. "They will injure the others and just kill you. That way you learn your place. Never demand anything of Begnion. We allow you to breathe, be happy with that. We allow the Herons to return, take joy in that. We allow freedom in our lands now. Take solace in that. What we dont allow, is demanding bullies." Raising her hands' large currents of wind gathered in the area. It engulfed the entire battlefield for a mile.
"Magic negates air superiority." Azul said. His voice shocking the birds. "Little Leanne I set you free and helped you get out of the Forest and returned you to your family. And this is how you repay me? Tch, the Forest should have kept you." The last statement was an insult.
"I .. di.. not.. want.. this." Leanne said trying to speak basic Beorc. It was hard for her. "Please. no.. killing..my.. king."
"Your King." Naesla said from beside her shocked. He watched as she kneeled as one would a king. "Why would you do that?"
"It is not as you think King Naesla." Azul said addressing the man softly. He liked the man and couldnt help himself. "She is no bride or anything like that. She views me as the king of Serenes Forest is all. Nothing more."
"I understand." Naesla said letting out a breath of fresh air.
"Heh, now you won't have to watch another man take her nestling." The old bird Nealuchi said. The woman next to him laughing.
"Yes, brother. That would be terrible." The unknown woman spoke. Her name was a bunch of Question marks which sent up a few flags.
"So, what will you do now Prince Reyson?" Sanaki asked from her position. "My brother is the king of Serenes forest. Which resides in Begnion territory. And houses the population of the herons."
"I.. can do nothing about this. For now anyway." Reyson said gritting his teeth. "Just know this, if.." His voice was cut off as a arrow shot passed his mouth faster then any of them could act.
"Drip," blood formed on his cheek.
Sanaki had moved her finger and a knight had let an arrow fly loose. Just a warning to the man to let him know how close he was to death.
"Dont threaten us." Sanaki said. The wind magic already rustling the feathers of the birds.
"We will return another day." Tibarn said. "We will send word next time."
The Phoenicians flew away. But the crows remained by with Leanne staying with.
"Can we talk a little more civilly?" Naesla asked Sanaki then Azul. "On the ground preferably."
"Yes. That is fine." Sanaki said. She then tapped against Azul's hand and he descended. Before he touched the ground he was bathed in light and Sanaki floated a bit.
"Tup," his boots made a little noise in the dirt. He set Sanaki down to his side. The Royal guard came up to Sanaki and stood to her side when Azul stepped back. Sanaki, Leanne and Naesla started talking.
Azul talked to his people on the side. The woman that came with Naesla walked over slowly.
"Excuse me, I am Narina. A pleasure to met you." She said with a soft Spanish accent. That immediately confirmed what Azul thought. "I.. have to know are.. are you the User here?"
"Yes." Azul said admitting it. He was aware for some time a User had made it here after his soul did. Which kind of limited the options. However it was supposed to be a male not a female. "So.. how are you a female now?"
"Sex change." Narina said embarrased. "I died and was reborn here. Had to change my starting point though. Was originally a cat Laguz." She was very nervous that Azul would be disgusted with her. "I have lived a better life this way than before. I was not aggressive enough as a male. Well a male laguz for that matter."
"Heh, that bites. So how did you survive then?"
"I drew Horcruxes research from Harry Potter." Narina said. "I made one here but I didnt think it would work that way. Man heading to there sucked. I hadn't played the game since the gamecube days."
"Huh, that would be troublesome." Azul wondered about the research material but didnt want to ask for it.
"Yeah, but I can't make the Horcruxes anymore. Heck my points took a massive nose dive when I died to." Narina said pouting. "Anyway, I knew there was another User here, but I didnt think it would be a dragon. So you are not gonna attack the crow tribe are you?"
"Not unless they attack first."
"Dont plan on it. I will convince my brother not to if I have to. Anyway I hope we can be friends." Narina had a pleading look in her eyes. Azul had wrapped her in his Pather power finding everything he needed to know.
"Sure, just have your Operator contact mine. We will go from there. Also, stop looking at me like that. I am happily married."
"Damn. Always the strong ones taken." Narina mumbled and sent the message to her Operator. "Anyway keep in touch hopefully. Dont be surprised if a "me" somewhere comes up and I look a different gender." Walking back to Naesla she joined the conversation.
'That was a hoot.' Azul sent telepathically to the others. They nodded. 'What do you think Galtea?'
Galtea: He Is clean he helped last time to keep some places safe. This time he has done the same but better. My mother gave him some additional rewards for it. His memory is a little fractured so he is recuperating her as well. However..
'However what?'
Galtea: He originally died here in your timeline. The only reason he is still here is because you are with Begnion this time. If not, he would have been completely gone from this World already.
'I see. Keep an eye on him and his Operator just in case.'
Galtea: Will do. Friendly now possible enemy later I assume.
'Yeah especially if his mind Is damaged. I am living proof that can change a person drastically.' Azul was broken from his thoughts when he was grabbed from behind. It was Alita. The difference was that this was the Prime Soul inside. She had teleported to the others when they arrived.
"Your smell has become more powerful since last we met." Alita eyes were a little scary for a moment. She looked as if she wanted to actually eat Azul's flesh. 'This place is different so much compared to last time. I want to nest here.' She sent this telepathically to the others here as well.
'We cant.' Tietra said looking at her. 'Selvaria and Tanith have this as there's. As well as Claire.' She thought about it some. 'Also the quest. Those other women as well would make it to many.'
'So what.' Mileuda chimed in. 'They are more in love with each other anyway. I am sure they won't mind Azull spending time more in the forest instead. Then again, I know what is like not wanting to share him. So we should respec tthat.'
'Nope. Tanith is marrying Azul here and will live out her normal life here. Selvaria will be his mistress I guess.' Jaina said shaking her head. 'Just not somewhere else.'
'I do not have a mistress. Just a bunch of wives and.. shit a lot of arranged things. I doubt my soul ever has a wandering problem.' Azul was referring to the dissipating a User gets from not having those important near them to keep focus.
'Grrr,' Alita was getting angry. 'I will not nest anywhere without ambient magic.'
'Alright, we'll find somewhere. Never thought I would have to do for a place just for a woman to have babies safely.' Azul commented.
'Women dear.' Mileuda said. 'More then just her.'
'Right. Didnt think you wanted to do that yet.' Azul started talking to Galtea about where they could go. 'Well as a dragon anyway.'
Galtea: I have been keeping a look out for one. So far from your memories, I have chosen three.
'Oh, let's hear them.' Azul connected the others to the conversation. 'Listen up, Galtea has a few places lined up.' hilda was already linked to him openly. Smething the others still didn't know.
Galtea: Golden Sun, Legend Of Dragoon, and Suikoden IV
'I know the first two.' Alita said. 'I have been there before. The magic is abundant in the first one. Not so much in the second one after the war.'
'Alita, there is also a him there already in the second one. I believe he is going after Rose while he is traveling with the others.' Tietra chimed in. 'Once we arrive there he wouldn't notice us or would even focus on us considering the plot of the World he is participating in. I say the last one. There is not a him there yet.'
'I dont care where it is. As long as I can get in on this.' Mileuda said. 'I am in three Worlds currently with him. Those places, as well as my own. This me is going to wherever we are going to nest. I am not staying here.'
'What did you spend all your points on?' Jaina asked. 'You should have a bunch saved up.'
'Not telling.' Mileuda said making the notion of zipping her lips. 'Unless you are coming to nest with us.' She was still trying to get Jaina into her inner circle. but no dice. The woman guard went up everytime.
'I am gonna pass.' Jaina said looking away sharply towards the conversation between Sanaki and the rest. 'I am in three Worlds. Warhammer and here currently have the most intrest for me. This me is going back to Magic the Gathering after. Defintely sealing the dragon back up before I do. That will be good enough.'
'Is that ok Azul?' Tietra asked.
'Huh, of course. She is free to do what she wants. I dont see ow!' Alita had bit him. 'Why did you do that?'
'I wanted to.' Alita said staring at him dangerously. 'The last World it is I say.' The others chimed in agreement. Breaking the link it was just Azul, Alita, and Galtea connected actively. 'I bit you also to let you know to stop giving her a choice in it. We are Dragons. We take what we want.'
'Yeah, but we are also civilized.' Azul said staring back.
'Tch, I will have you myself more then. So good on that ' Alita clicked her teeth in annoyance. 'However, you should know, you two are gonna pop again. With different results this time.' Laying her head on his shoulder she wrapped her hands around his side. "My User." She whispered into his ear.
Galtea: It is done. It is listed as a breeding ground for you. The World is aware and has agreed. You are free to breed freely, however, if your children start to leave the island you have, they will become part of the Worlds plot and will change its history.
'Understood.' Azul then relaxed as the others talked. Dropping the auxilary field he enjoyed the sounds of the Herons flapping their wings. "Hah, not to bad of a day."
A few more weeks were spent organizing things. Daein had succeded a few parts of the territory to Azul. The people flocked to him willingly. Ashnard didn't care as he was occupied in Crimea. Using its people to bolster his forces. Azul's Prime soul headed back to his Nether World. A strangle tingle was telling him he was needed.