Within the island nation of Rokindrol, atop a mountain peak within a wide, towering range, laid a shining silver dragon. His body rested high above the clouds, a perpetual fog obscuring its form from the common man. Anyone who saw it, however, would recognize it as the Holy Dragon Fafnir, the creature which served the Keeper directly.

Although it looked as if Fafnir was in constant rest, that was indeed far from the truth. For many years it had silently been training itself following the teachings of the Keeper’s Servant. Given its substantial size, it had far more energy that required conversion and refinement.

First, it had followed the steps given by Tsubaki to attain the Perfect Self, shedding its red scales to gain its shining silver form. After that, it began to temper its soul, training its own divinity in preparation for the next step. It knew from consultation with Tsubaki that creating the Divine Soul would be an incredibly difficult and painful challenge, and so it sought to do so in the seclusion of its mountaintop.

For three days and nights, the humans of Rokindrol were tormented by the pained wailings of mighty dragon. Many felt that it had to be locked in a terrible battle that shook the land and sky alike. However, few dared venture close to test this theory. Those that did were ultimately repelled by the strength of its roar.

While others saw this as a disaster, one waited patiently, seeing an opportunity presenting itself. A lone human with black hair and silver eyes sat at the base of the mountain, listening to the sound of the roars. He clenched his fists, waiting for his chance.

It was only when the roars stopped that he made his move. His eyes flashed golden as he ascended the mountain in a single step. He was only one step away from divinity, but did not dare to take it yet. Not until certain obstacles had been removed from his path. The beast before it was one such obstruction.

He had been waiting for the moment when the dragon had finished whatever trial it was facing. The moment when the dragon would ultimately lower its guard. Just the wails of pain alone let him know that the creature would be incredibly weakened whenever it was done.

As the man rose to the peak of the mountain, forcing his way through the layers of defenses, the form of the silver dragon appeared in his sight. It had been so long since he last saw that figure, but he couldn’t be bothered to reminisce just yet. Instead, he charged forward, a spear of golden light forming in his hands and striking the great, panting beast.

The dragon, having only just ascended to the stage of divine soul, was naturally in no state to mount a proper defense. He only just barely noticed the man appearing at the final moment, releasing a burst of raw mana in an attempt to push him back.

Sadly, the man’s charge would not be stopped so easily. While the strike was diverted away from a lethal blow, it still landed powerfully along the side of Fafnir’s neck, eliciting a fresh cry of pain.

Human pursuing the power of Ruin, why have you appeared before me? Fafnir’s thoughts transmitted themselves to the man as a powerful voice in his mind. There exists no grudge between us.

“No grudge?” The man crooked his lips, sneering towards the dragon. “I’ll be the one to decide that.” He knew that he only had a limited time to complete his attack. If the Keeper’s Servant appeared, he would not even be able to flee. So he didn’t waste his time chatting, channeling the power of his divinity into his spear again.

Fafnir had accurately seen through the domain which the man was striving for. The power of ruin that could destroy all things. And now, that power was being channeled into his spear. Unfortunately, its consciousness was still too weak to create any powerful spells or abilities that could defend its giant body.

All that it managed to do was lift one of its massive claws, swinging them towards the human with sheer force. A force that was easily destroyed when it came into contact with that spear. The strength behind the attack, and even the entire claw itself seemed to be erased.

While he was delivering the attack, he was likewise calling out for Tsubaki in his mind, hoping that she would be able to arrive in time. The man before him seemed to realize this, gritting his teeth as he resolved himself to end the battle in one final strike.

However, as he extended his spear, and shot out the beam of golden light that would mark the dragon’s death, space seemed to twist. The ray of light struck this twisted space and was diverted, piercing through the dragon’s wing instead of its heart.

Afterwards, the twisted space began to expand, and a figure wrapped in a red dress stepped through. Her crimson hair fell down her mature figure, and she eyed the man coldly. As he looked at her, he was able to see a wound along the side of her arm.

Although this woman was clearly not the Keeper’s Servant, he knew who she was, and she was no less terrifying to deal with. Gritting his teeth, the man turned and fled under the watchful stare of the First Blood. To his surprise, she did not pursue him, perhaps indicating that she was not here for him. But that thought was not enough for him to risk his life to return.

Back at the mountain peak, Scarlet watched the man fleeing the scene, before letting out a long breath. Reddish-golden light condensed on her arm, closing the wound that had been created when she arrived. Empress of Blood, you have my thanks for your timely arrival.

Scarlet turned, facing the dragon and offering a small smile. “It is the Keeper you should offer your thanks to, not I. He sent me a message, asking me to arrive here and meet with Tsubaki. Do you know where I can find her, Sir Fafnir?”

I called for her moments before your arrival. With any fortune, she will arrive shortly. May I ask your business with her? Fafnir knew that there was no reason for him to fear the woman before him, especially as she had just saved his life. Nonetheless, he always asked this question of those who came to look for either Tsubaki or the Keeper.

“I believe it is best I speak with her myself.” She said, before turning her gaze to the side just as a flash of light appeared. Tsubaki stood there, shining like the sun and wielding the scepter that she and Dana had created together.

When she saw that the only two people here were Scarlet and Fafnir, her brow furrowed. “Fafnir, is she the one that threatened you?” Tsubaki asked carefully. Fafnir had only told her that there was a dangerous foe, one that would claim his life if she was not fast enough. Because Tsubaki knew of the relation between the Keeper and Scarlet, she could not immediately assume that it was his daughter who was attempting to slay his dragon.

It was not. The man who threatened me fled moments ago, thanks to her timely arrival. He is one that cultivates the power of Ruin. Fafnir knew that the chance to identify the man by his face was extremely slim. As this was quite clearly an assassination where the man was prepared to flee instead of fight to the bitter end, he would have changed his appearance before confronting Fafnir.

“Understood. I’ll look through the registered people later for one matching that description.” As she said that, she let out a sigh, the light around her dimming while she put away her scepter. “As for you, Empress, I must thank you for this time.”

“Then I ask you to do me a favor, one that will help yourself as well as the Keeper.” Scarlet told her with a coy smile. “I have completed the divine body and soul, and wish to ascend to godhood under my father’s banner. He instructed me to seek you out at this place to achieve that goal.”

Tsubaki looked towards Scarlet in surprise. “You do not wish to be an independent deity? You must surely know that your potential will be far higher if you do so.”

Scarlet shook her head, her hair waving with an almost liquid glisten. “It was my father that saved what remains of my people, myself included. Now that I have the power to do so, I shall devote my divinity to him in return for that favor. If in the future, more of my people rise to the realm of godhood, I shall advise them to remain independent. That way, my people will always have the potential of the independent gods.”

The kitsune goddess thought about that for a moment, before nodding her head. Although she felt that Scarlet would be better off going independent, she was far from any sort of position to criticize her decision. She had pursued the path of a subordinate deity the moment she had been made aware of the concept, and had pledged her divinity to the Keeper in the same way that Scarlet was attempting to do so now.

As such, she stretched out her hand, creating a small shard of solidified divinity. “Take this, and use it for your breakthrough. The Keeper once told me that any subordinate deity would be unable to take their own subordinates. Instead, anyone they helped to convert would become a subordinate of their master god.”

“I see… that is why he had me appear here.” In truth, she had been quite confused. For days, she had been trying to find some time to ask for the Keeper to help her ascend, but did not want to directly disturb him. Instead, she would wait for signs of his presence in the mortal world.

Suddenly, however, he had sent her a message to appear before this mountain and wait for Tsubaki. Scarlet was no fool, and understood the dual meaning behind this message now. First of all, he wanted her to save Fafnir with her presence, something she very nearly failed to do. Secondly, rather than have the Keeper himself assist her, he wanted Tsubaki to do so.

I suppose I must congratulate the new Goddess of Blood. Fafnir commented from the side, bowing his head towards Scarlet.

“No, she will not be getting the Blood domain.” Tsubaki said with confidence that surprised both Fafnir and Scarlet herself.

“May I ask why? And how it is that you know that?” In truth, the Blood domain was exactly the path she was pursuing, which was why Fafnir had commented as he did.

“Because you are a demigoddess.” Tsubaki explained, passing her the shard of divinity. “The Keeper once told me that a demigod or demigoddess will only obtain their natural-born aspect when they ascend, without any chance to change it. As you were born with the aspect of ki, your domain has been decided long ago.”

“It would have been nice of him to let me know that in advance.” She commented under her breath, half-jokingly as she accepted the shard. “Still, having a primary energy as my domain… there are far worse outcomes.”

As she said that, she held the shard against her chest, focusing on merging it with the core of mana that she had painstakingly created after receiving the Keeper’s guidance. Without that core, she would have never been able to reach the stage she was at. She would have forever remained as a martial spirit, with no hopes of advancing further.