Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Vahn couldn't be certain his handling of Mordred's situation was the best but, considering how fervently she threw herself into training, it was better than letting her spiral in negativity. Though it did cause some awkward tensions between them, especially when he was doing things like helping baptize her body in Source Energy, it wasn't that different from normal. Rather, Mordred seemed a lot happier than before so, while things would eventually come to a head in the future, Vahn decided not to worry about it too much.Fortunately, or perhaps not, he had far more pressing matters to attend as every version of Scáthach, sans the child-like form she used to attend the Clock Tower, had vanished. She had traversed back to her homeland and, though only a few days had passed in the real world, a massive stone castle now stood along the banks of Loch Eishort. This was the location of Dunscaith Castle, the place that had served as Scáthach's home prior to her disappearance into the Shadow Lands.Like all Heroic Spirits, Scáthach would be most powerful at the location where her legend had begun, so, when they next met, Vahn had little doubt she would be far stronger than he was used to. If the final challenge really was a battle to the death, the Isle of Skye, and even Scotland itself, may not be able to withstand their clash. Fortunately, he had Arcueid on his side as, even if he tried to use one of Da Vinci's modified [Space-Time Orbs], there were no guarantees it could withstand the strain of their all-out attacks.The only real preparations Vahn needed to make were mental as, after training under Scáthach for years, part of him 'expected' to lose. Though he wasn't lacking in confidence, there were times when Scáthach forced him onto the defensive and, despite his efforts to reverse the momentum, she was almost always able to overwhelm him. The only way around this was to remove his mental blocks as, if he truly went all out, even he didn't know the full extent of his power. All he really knew was that, if it came down to it, even Aoko and Arcueid, two Tier 5 being, might not be able to last more than a few hours against him...To prepare himself for the climactic battle, Vahn left Artoria and Gawain to deal with most official matters while Luvia and Bedivere worked together to arrange the upcoming ball. Though he kept to his normal schedule for a few days, Projection Time, he spent nearly three full days doing little more than meditating atop Leviathan. As a result, his mind slowly became completely devoid of thought as his existence itself seemed to blend into the surroundings. The only thing going through his mind was the subtle sounds of the [Mantra of Eternity], its words just as imperceptible to him as the day he had first obtained it.Even Sis didn't know how powerful the [Mantra of Eternity] was but, at the very least, it was graded as SSS-Rank, even within the Nasuverse. This indicated that, from the perspective of The Path, it was an existence at the very peak of Tier 5, likely even Tier 6. The fact he had obtained it 'randomly' in the past, when he most desired strength, indicated it was The Path's answer. If he focused on trying to master the [Mantra of Eternity], it was all but guaranteed he would reach the ridiculous amount of strength he needed. With that being the case, Vahn could even rationalize, as scary as it might be, there was even a chance it could be Tier 7.All Vahn really knew about the [Mantra of Eternity] was, when used, it made him feel 'greater' than his usual self. It was almost like he was expanding, becoming something far more than the person he currently was. If he gave himself to that feeling, Vahn had no doubt he would obtain something far beyond anything he currently possessed but, in exchange, there was a chance he would lose that which was more precious to him. Thus, for the time being, the [Mantra of Eternity] served as a means to rejuvenate his Spirit, rapidly replenish his Source Energy, and calm his mind.When Vahn finally opened his eyes, the 'bubble' that had formed in the atmosphere, creating a void nearly ten kilometers across, slowly dispersed. Vahn then sloughed off the layer of ice that covered his entire body, blinking a few times to remove the flakes sticking to his eyelashes. Then, before he went down to inform the others he would be departing, he lightly caressed the top of Leviathan's head, saying, "Thanks for the assist."In response to his words, Vahn felt a ripple pass through his shadow and, in the next moment, a soft voice answered, "You need not thank me...your growth is my reward. I look forward to seeing how far your efforts will take you."Hearing Leviathan's supportive words, Vahn issued a light chuckle before taking a few phantom-like steps and leaping off the side of the 30km long whale-like serpent that made its home high above the clouds. He could just teleport down but, after a long session of meditation, Vahn always had the desire to 'experience' the world. It was hard to describe just how comfortable he felt at times like this and, though it wouldn't last long, Vahn enjoyed the sense of 'oneness' with the world around him.By controlling his descent, Vahn was able to land soundlessly atop the ivory-white walls of his castle and, for a brief moment, he enjoyed simply gazing out over the peaceful island that was his home. It would take some effort but, one day, he would ensure everyone had the opportunity to experience this same kind of peace. Even if Karma and other factors ensured there was always conflict within the world, he would still make it a place where those who sought it, could find peace.With a natural smile spreading across his face, Vahn gave one last look at his surroundings before expanding his domain. As a result, his peaceful state was replaced with a phenomenal amount of information, to the point that Vahn was even aware of individual blades of grass, the composition of the dirt, and every insect crawling around inside of it. Despite this, it was a very different feeling than the 'oneness' he experienced during meditation as, rather than being just a part of something bigger than himself, he was now the 'center' of everything within the bounds of his domain.Sensing Artoria alongside Gray, Nero, and Rin, Vahn teleported just outside the room the occupied and, after lightly knocking, made his way inside. As per usual, Artoria, Gray, and Nero all rose to their feet but, having always been more casual regarding matters of propriety, Rin remained sitting with a cup of tea in her hands. Vahn didn't particularly mind this but, based on the wry smiles on Artoria's and Gray's faces, combined with Nero's 'curious' expression, he expected it wouldn't be long before the latter also dismissed with propriety.Though it would be nice to stay and chat for a while, Vahn didn't move from the threshold of the door as he plainly stated, "I will be going." in a calm tone. He didn't need to explain where, exactly, he would be going as, prior to his meditation, he had already discussed the matter, at length, with most of the girls. Thus, in response to his statement, Artoria released an almost inaudible sigh before adopting a supportive smile and saying, "Go. I will take care of the Empire while you are away. We will all be awaiting your triumphant return..."Vahn had already been smiling but, hearing Artoria's words, he couldn't help but reveal how happy her support made him, his smile widening until his eyes squinted slightly. Though she may not hold the central position in his heart, Artoria had been one of his life's greatest blessings. Just like in the Record of Danmachi, things would have been a lot different if he didn't have competent, powerful, and tolerant women at his side. With the exception of Fenrir, she had become the person he relied on the most in the Nasuverse and, knowing she would continue to support him far into the future, he nearly teared up on the spot.Seeing Vahn's unexpected reaction, all four girls were more than a little taken aback as, while he wasn't exactly lacking in expressiveness, it was rare to see Vahn appear 'vulnerable'. Since she had been the catalyst for his reaction, Artoria's supportive smile melted into a far more affectionate one as she glided over to his side and wrapped her arms around him. Their size difference made hugging while standing a little awkward but, much like how it would during combat, her body had moved on its own...---After finally parting ways with his infinitely compassionate Empress, Vahn could feel his momentum begin to surge up in anticipation for what was to come. His calm was slowly leaking away and, after a much longer embrace than was necessary, it felt like his Spirit had been supercharged with positive emotions.By the time he reached the garden, where Arcueid was tending to the flowers alongside a group of adorable Companions, Vahn had regained his usual, confident, smile. This caused Arcueid to greet him with one of her own and, after lightly patting each of the helpful Companions, she rose to her feet and quickly alighted to his side. Since his presence at this time could only mean one thing, she gingerly placed her palm over his chest, asking, "Is it time?"In response to her question, Vahn took her hand into his own, nodding his head as he answered, "I'll be counting on you."Hearing the 'magical words', Arcueid's smile became even more vibrant as she tip-toed and planted a delicate kiss on his lips in response. Then, her sapphire-blue eyes putting to shame even the most beautiful gemstones, she happily replied, "You can always count on me~", before giggling and stealing another kiss as her reward.If it wouldn't undo all the preparations he had made, Vahn would have whisked Arcueid away to give her a 'real' reward. She always behaved in a way that made him want to relax and spend more time with her but, with Scáthach already waiting a few days for his arrival, Vahn felt a strong compulsion to seek her out. He didn't want to be seen as a coward in the eyes of his Shishou and, knowing she would be able to ascertain what he had invested his prep time on, Vahn elected to remain focused.Fortunately, though she could be quite 'greedy' at times, Arcueid already knew Vahn's intentions so she didn't do anything to rile him up further. She had learned quite a bit from her sisters in the Inner Sanctum so, if she really wanted to, it wouldn't be that difficult to egg him on. The main lesson she had learned, however, was to do her best to support Vahn as, when it really came down to it, there was little he wouldn't do to support them. Thus, even if her body always felt like it was on fire when they were together, she settled by just nestling into his embrace for a few moments, knowing there was a good chance she wouldn't be able to spend time with him for a few days.When Arcueid was finally done 'recharging', Vahn kissed the top of her head before pulling her along as he said, "We'll fly to the Isle of Skye. I want to feel the cold wind against my face and body before facing off against my Shishou. There is always a chance something unexpected will occur so make sure you stay on your toes, okay...?"Though she nodded her head in understanding, Arcueid wasted no time in clinging to Vahn's arm with a wide smile on her face. Flying through the sky was one of the things she enjoyed most so, to have Vahn to herself for even a few minutes longer, she was more than happy to accompany him...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Eternity echoes throughout all of time and space...','Endless Blessings : Infinite Tolerance','Prelude to the climax...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With Dunscaith Castle being less than eight-hundred kilometers from Avalon, it was a distance even an Einzbern Homunculi could cover in less than an hour. Thus, while it was an enjoyable and scenic flight, Vahn reached his destination in just under twenty minutes.Even prior to the event people now called 'The Fall', the Isle of Skye had only ever had around 10,000 inhabitants. It, like much of Scotland, had been relatively untouched by the times due to the efforts of both 'conservationists' and, as could be expected, the many Magus families that could trace their lineage back to the Age of Gods. As a result, it was a beautiful land filled with verdant plains, strange rock formations, and a host of peculiar forests, many rumored to be enchanted by Fae and Spirits.Now, with few exceptions, most of Skye's inhabitants had migrated east, seeking refuge near larger population centers. Though some remained behind, unable or unwilling to abandon their ancestral homeland, the island now appeared devoid of human life. This included the nearby crofting village of Tokavaig, a popular tourist destination. During his short flight, Vahn had only detected a total of seven people still inhabiting the village, most of which seemed to belong to the same family.Since this was a personal matter, Vahn really didn't want to get others involved so, while it was more than a little disorienting for the unsuspecting family, he had Alaya teleport them to safety. Once his battle with Scáthach came to an end, he would compensate them for their troubles, even if it meant having to build them a new house with his own two hands.Though it was called a castle, Vahn was surprised to find that Dunscaith was only about 25m across. It seemed less like a fortress than a stone-forged beach house as, while isolated and in a defensible position, about 12m above the surrounding sea, it would have had no means to resupply during a siege. There was only a single drawbridge connecting it to the mainland but, considering this was a gap of only seven meters, it seemed pointless for keeping anything but 'normal' people out.Vahn had known that, other than her immediate family and students, Scáthach had chosen to live isolated from the rest of the world. Even then, he had expected something grander than a simple walled castle with nothing more than a small complex, a 10m tall tower, and what appeared to be a stable incapable of housing more than three horses. Though it did radiate a certain majesty, as was the case with all castles, Vahn couldn't help but feel it was a very 'lonely' sight to behold.Seemingly sharing this sentiment, Arcueid squeezed his hand with her own, worry visible in her eyes as she said, "Be careful..." in a somber tone. In response, Vahn ran his fingers slowly through her hair and, after planting a kiss on the top of her head, he replied, "I shouldn't keep her waiting any longer. Take care of everything else for me, will you...?"Though she could do little to hide her concern, Arcueid managed a supportive smile as she placed her hand overtop Vahn's and intoned a simple, 'Un...' in response. She was beginning to get a very bad feeling about everything so, while she didn't say it out loud, Arcueid was resolved to step in if things got too dangerous. She believed in Vahn but Scáthach was famous for killing Gods, Divine Spirits, and various immortal creatures. There were no true absolutes in the world so, while it seemed impossible to kill Vahn, there was always a small chance 'something' would happen...Vahn could see through Arcueid's intentions but, knowing there wasn't much he could do to stop her from worrying, he opted to remain silent and just enjoy their final moment together. He could already feel the aura from within the castle beginning to build, however, so he opted not to remain idle for too long. Thus, after sending Arcueid off with a smile on his face, Vahn turned to the rather demure castle and made his way inside the only building on the relatively small outcrop.Upon opening the doors to the castle's keep, Vahn found himself face to face with Scáthach who, at the end of an 8m long path, could be found sitting on a rune-covered throne, forged from the same crystalline metal as her weapons. She was even wearing a deep purple gown, not all that dissimilar to the one her Caster counterpart often wore. The only real difference was the fact that this version of the dress still had metallic pauldrons, trimmed with black feathers, while, seated above her ruby-red eyes, a crown reminiscent of black thorns, set with a blood-red gemstone, could be seen...Though she emanated a regal and inviolable aura, Scáthach was actually just sitting casually on her throne, supporting her head with her right hand, one leg crossed over the other as she lazily gazed at Vahn and muttered, "You don't seem all that impressed by my home...did you expect something grand like the Ivory Castle?"Not expecting the first thing out of Scáthach's mouth to pertain to her castle, Vahn found himself at a momentary loss for words. Then, forcing him to swallow any kind of excuse he might have come up with, Scáthach raised her hand, her momentum exploding out in an instant. As a result, Vahn was pushed back a few meters, enough to be sent flying from the keep if not for his surroundings having changed in a startling manner.A stark contrast to the rather homely throne room from before, Vahn now found himself in a vast chamber that was more than a hundred meters deep and thirty across. At the same time, his senses showed that the outside had changed into a veritable fortress, the previous tower now exceeding a hundred meters in height while the cliff upon which the castle was set increased to more than five hundred...Without needing to ask, Scáthach righted her position on her throne as she explained, "You, of all people, should know better than to base everything off first impressions...Welcome, Vahn Aldrnari Mason...to the Land of Shadows...my home."Though he had already sensed something was off, it was only after Scáthach's words that Vahn was able to realize what was 'different' about her. This caused his eyes to widen considerably, earning a rare smile from her as she nodded her head and stated, "It is as you suspect. Thanks to your efforts in summoning so many of my counterparts, I had little trouble performing the ritual to connect the Land of Shadows to the Surface World. What you see before you is no Spiritual Form...did you really think I would be content fighting against you with the limits of the Throne?"Hearing Scáthach's words, Vahn couldn't help but feel a tumultuous stirring inside his heart as, even now, he could still feel his connection with all seven versions of her. He couldn't understand how the 'real' her could coexist with the Heroic Spirit versions of herself but, considering who it was sitting across from him, Vahn didn't doubt her words. He honestly shouldn't have even been surprised as, even alone, Scáthach was capable of incomprehensible feats. With six of herself working in concert with each other, there were very few limits to what she could accomplish...Seeing Vahn quickly recover his composure, Scáthach gave a small nod and, though she wasn't particularly known for her exposition, explained, "You should know...I'm not like the other women you have surrounded yourself with. There are no great tragedies in my past and, while I did lose my father at a young age, that was normal during my lifetime. Rather, from your perspective, I should be considered an enemy...my past is not a secret to you...you know what I have done..."Though she was idolized as a great hero and an even greater teacher, the true history of Scáthach was a much darker tale. Much like how Cú's own story included events such as him killing his best friend, murdering hundreds, and even committing filicide; Scáthach's was marred with tragedies she had set in motion. She treated her children with such disregard that, even if they were brutally raped or killed, she wouldn't intervene or mourn them. While this might have been driven by her lack of emotions and the corruption of her [Wisdom of the Haunted Ground], it wasn't an exaggeration to say that, rather than a Hero, Scáthach had been one of the most wicked villains of the entire Ulster Cycle...Despite everything she had done, however, Vahn genuinely believed that Scáthach wasn't a terrible person. Her actions had been the result of her 'knowing' when, where, and how people were going to die. Though she could have tried to fight against fate, preventing tragedies and becoming a far greater Hero than recorded in history, this was all but impossible to accomplish. Even Merlin couldn't fight against fate as, by taking proactive measures to set certain events in motion, you became the very lynchpin of your reality. This was the same reason Zelretch rarely intervened in events and, for much the same reasons as Scáthach, showed disregard for virtually everyone around him...In essence, had she not 'known everything', Scáthach would have likely walked a very different path than the one she had been set upon for the last twenty-two-hundred-years. Though there was a very good chance she would have become a true villain, that was simply the nature of most Heroes at the end of the Age of Gods. During her era, people with power were expected to act as they pleased as, even if they were spoken about poorly, fame gave people actual power. Most Heroes had committed a few atrocities during their rise but, when it came down to it, they still distinguished themselves as Heroes by setting themselves against greater threats to the people...Had he entered the Nasuverse around the time of Scáthach's reign, it was all but guaranteed that they would have been enemies. In fact, Scáthach may very well have been his greatest enemy as, with how she treated her people, students, and even family, he wouldn't have been able to forgive her. Now, however, she was just a lonely woman who had suffered for several millennia in solitude, burdened with a power she had never desired. She had already paid a heavier price than most could even fathom and, while her training had been harsh, Scáthach had been one of his strongest pillars of support since entering the Nasuverse.With more than three years worth of experience dealing with his monstrous Shishou, Vahn knew she wasn't a bad person. Though she couldn't exactly be called good, she shared a lot of similarities with various Goddesses and, with her [Wisdom of the Haunted Ground] serving as a powerful curse, this wasn't all that surprising. Thus, rather than treat her as a human, Vahn looked at Scáthach in the same way he would view a Goddess of Death and Slaughter. Yes, she had done many terrible things but, looking back on his own past, especially the past few months, Vahn knew he couldn't really be considered a paragon of virtue.With all of this in mind, Vahn couldn't help but shake his head in response to Scáthach's claim about being different from his other women. This caused her to give him a curious look but, before she was able to inquire, he preempted her by stating, "The past doesn't matter in the slightest. The woman I have come to know over the last three years is someone that I, and everyone else in the Empire, can rely on. You have helped to shape me into the man I am today and, while you may resent me for it, I know I have left an impression on you as well...you are not the cold woman your Innates have forced everyone, even yourself, to believe..."Hearing Vahn's words, Scáthach issued a rare laugh, her deep voice sending shivers along his spine as she rose to her feet and stated, "You are right...feel proud, my foolish little disciple. In all my life, you are but one of three who have left an impression on my heart. Now, I will make you accept the responsibility your careless actions have wrought. Show me how far your greed and ambition can take you..."With her words trailing, Scáthach's calm and complacent demeanor instantly faded away and, before Vahn was able to answer in kind, he found himself on the receiving end of a cross-shaped red spear, it's surface glistening with runes as it attempted to pierce his heart...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The calm before the storm','Heroes are immortalized by those who survive them','An insatiable desire, a crimson spear...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Shortly after calling the emergency council to a close, Vahn found himself back in his chambers with only Artoria and Mordred at his side. Even Gray had taken upon herself to step out for a moment as, while her status allowed her to be present for such things, she rarely stuck around for family matters.Even without asking, Vahn already had an idea about what was troubling Mordred. It was something he and Artoria had talked about at length in the past so, after taking a seat, Vahn asked, "Tell me, do you regret becoming my daughter?"Without any delay in her response, Mordred adopted a serious expression on her face as she stated, "There is no way that could ever be the case! Chichiue is an excellent father, someone I respect with all my heart...!!"Hearing Mordred's instant reply, Vahn couldn't help but smile appreciatively but, taking advantage of her word choice, he added, "Not all your heart, I fear...there is a part that views me in a different light, is there not?"Though she already expected this line of questioning, Mordred paled slightly, her head hanging low as her bangs covered her eyes. At the same time, she balled her hands into fists, words escaping her as she didn't know the 'correct' way to respond to such a question.Just as Mordred's eyes began to swim around for an excuse, she was liberated from her stupefied trance by a soft and warm hand being placed on her shoulder. When she looked up, she found her Hahaue smiling gently toward her and, though there was a complicated look visible in her eyes, she still whispered, "Calm down, Mordred. You should know better than most...your father isn't someone you should fear."Artoria wanted to say something to support her daughter but, understanding exactly what it was the latter wanted, she, too, was at a loss for words. After all, depending on how things went, there was a very good chance she would be losing her daughter in the near future.If she were forced to admit her innermost thoughts, Artoria wouldn't be able to deny that the last few years, while filled with various troubles but, had been incredibly fulfilling. She had learned from her failings as a Father and King and, though she believed she still had a long way to go, she liked to think she had become a capable Mother and Empress. Now, however, even though she had seen this coming for a long time, she couldn't help but feel a small amount of anguish as, in a way, she had, once again, failed Mordred...Seeing the struggle in her Hahaue's eyes, Mordred's feelings of guilt began to increase exponentially but, before she could say anything, a firm yet guiding voice reached her ears, calling her name and drawing her attention. Though she had known where the voice originated from, Mordred was still at a loss as, rather than conflict and struggle, her Chichiue had a calm and accepting look on his face. His smile didn't seem forced and, rather than judgment or disappointment in his eyes, he looked at her the same way he always had, like a father trying to guide his daughter through her struggles...Though she would normally feel better just having her Chichiue smile at her, Mordred's feelings of guilt made it hard to even look at him, much less smile in turn. She hated that she couldn't control her own emotions properly and, as a result, she was on the verge of destroying everything that had made her happy in life. She felt lower than the greedy and depraved men and women that made up the vast majority of the human race as, even after obtaining happiness, she couldn't help but want even more...just like the people she hated most.Sensing a palpable increase in Mordred's negative emotions, Vahn's smile faded slightly as he firmly said, "Mordred, raise your head.", drawing her eyes back to him. Then, before she could sink further into an ocean of negativity, he explained, "You have made a lot of progress over these last few years. Even if I locked myself away into a [Space-Time Orb], no amount of time would be adequate to put into words how grateful I feel towards you. Being a father is the greatest purpose I have ever found and, seeing how much you have grown over the last three years, it fills me with hope and gives me the confidence to walk my own path..."Hearing her Chichiue's words, Mordred's emotions began waging a war within her mind but, on the surface, she did her best to appear calm and attentive. She would normally be beside herself with glee to hear him say such things but, due to the circumstances, it felt like metal stakes were being driven into her heart. Though she had a few expectations about how things were meant to go, no amount of mental imaging could have prepared her for this increasingly tense conversation. It was comparable to the feelings she had felt while facing her Hahaue down in her past life, something she never wanted to experience a second time.As he had been closely gauging Mordred's reaction, Vahn fought to prevent his smile from turning awry. He knew Mordred had never been the type to indulge flowery words and long explanations so, in the hopes her downward spiral would cease, he released a tired sigh within his mind while raising three fingers, explaining, "There are three choices available to you. Though these are not the only three, they are what your mother and I came up with after a number of long discussions...I hope you will properly consider your choices before making a decision."Seeing that her now had Mordred's undivided attention, Vahn gave an appreciative node before holding up one finger and explaining, "Your first option is to change your status from First Imperial Princess to First Imperial Prince. Before my meddling, you always identified as a man and I've seen how you interact with Fenrir, Mash, and Astrid. If you pursue this path, you will live the rest of your life as a man and, when the time comes, I will directly prepare you to rule in my stead."Though she expected any number of things, Mordred hadn't even considered the possibility she would be offered the chance to become a man. For a brief moment, her mind drew a complete blank as, in more ways than one, it was something she had always desired. Prior to being 'reborn', she had even considered the fact she had been born a female as a kind of curse. Though it helped that her 'father' had also been female, making her feel a lot closer to the person she had most respected, she still had the mentality than men were, in many ways, superior.While Mordred's mind was still drawing a blank, Vahn held up a second finger, pulling her back to reality as he explained, "Your second option is to continue fulfilling your duties as Imperial Princess, increasing your status and prestige through your own efforts. This is similar to your current path but, towards the end, I can promise you something beyond your current ambitions. Rather than be the Emperor of one world, I will nurture you to become a being above even the Gods. If you choose this path...becoming a Goddess, you will be able to stay at my side for eternity, helping me to shape, not just one world, but countless worlds. Also, as the standards for Gods are completely different than those of mortals, I will...take you as one of my wives..."Hearing her Chichue's final words, Mordred's breathing became audible and, though she managed to retain her composure, it was easy to see how much they had affected her. She was the type that always sought to rise above, gaining even greater power and authority. Being told she would be able to become a literal Goddess, ruling over countless worlds, there was no way she could ignore such an opportunity. Though it was true that she could have always followed this route, the same could be said for becoming a male as, so long as she earnestly desired something, her Chichiue would not deny her...As this thought crossed her mind, so too did Mordred's awareness of her current situation. From the very beginning, her Chichiue had only been listing out options that had always been available to her, not special deals that would come and go if she refused them. If she really wanted, creating a fourth, fifth, or even a hundredth option was possible. The only thing he really cared about was that she was happy and, so long as it didn't interfere with the happiness of others, she was free to choose at her leisure.In timing with this conclusion, Vahn held up his third finder, adopting a somewhat wry smile as he added, "The third option is the easiest, really...you give up your status as Imperial Princess, denounce our parent-child relationship, and follow a path similar to Illya. Truthfully, there is very little difference between your situation and hers. I would be a hypocrite if I refused you for no better reason than my ongoing relationship with your mother. In a way, your situation is even less complicated as, in much the same way as Gray, you were born into...unique circumstances."Hearing the third option provided, Mordred fought hard to prevent herself from laughing out loud, even as tears began to build in her eyes. It was both funny yet surprisingly painful to be reminded of the fact that she could always just throw away her status. Though her Chichiue treated her with the care and concern of an actual parent, they weren't truly related and, if she chose to be selfish and pursue her desires, the seemingly unbreakable bond they had forged as parent and child would be shattered in an instant. This thought was liberating but, at the same time, Mordred couldn't help feeling indescribable anguish...Seeing Mordred fighting back tears with an awkward smile on her face, Vahn's own heart felt pained so, instead of discussing the matter further, he patted his right thigh and said, "Come, sit.", in a soft and gentle tone. As a result, he found himself practically tackled by the still armor-clad Mordred as, for reasons she couldn't put into words, she began crying her heart out. Shortly after, Artoria came to sit at her side and, for the better part of twenty minutes, they comforted the crying Mordred as a Mother and Father should...---Though she hated crying, Mordred couldn't deny that she always felt much better afterward. Her body felt lighter and, as she almost exclusively cried around her parents, there was always a soothing warmth that came along with it. She would never admit it but she enjoyed being pampered as, prior to her 'rebirth', Mordred had never been able to experience anything like the care and concern of a parent...After calming down enough to organize her thoughts, Mordred broke the silence by sitting straight and declaring, "I refuse to give up my status as your daughter. I thought I would be happy being one of your women but I won't abandon everything I have worked for just to become one of many. I will become much stronger, strong enough to lay even Gods low in a single blow. Then, no matter how much time passes, we will always be together...as family...and much more..."Mordred's words were directed to both of her parents but, as she was sitting on her Chichiue's lap, it was hard not to stare directly into his eyes. They held a force that seemed to draw others in and, at times, Mordred had wanted to swim within their depths. With this in mind, she decided to just throw propriety aside for a brief moment and, knowing it would probably be the last time for many years, she wrapped her arms around her Chichiue's neck and claimed his lips as compensation for, well, a lot of things...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Not your average family tensions...','The choice is yours...','Prelude to the Dragon's rise (UwU)...!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1398: Mental Preparations